If you made a career change... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

TheSpecialist · 04-15-2005, 11:59 AM

My dream job would be 44' Hatteras, and rich clients.

If I had to make a change, I think I would get my gc and start a remodeling business.

MAC · 04-15-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

If I had to make a change, I think I would get my gc and start a remodeling business.

Aaaack, Bill the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
I did this for a few years before getting into the union and it sux. Long hours, estimates, where you might not get the job. Chasing money, it only takes a few bad customers to break ya. Then all the paperwork, insurance,taxes, vehicle and equipment upkeep. Believe me it gets old quick.
The dream job with a hatteras sounds better

MAC · 04-15-2005, 12:37 PM

Dave, I know what you are going through. I just went 6 months without working and it rots. I had many thoughts of doing something else over that time period but ended up going back to what I know. Hard choices when ya get up past the age of 40. A good choice might be like Daryl suggested. Supervisory role in your field. Taking a few night courses in business management might help in thie endeavor too.

My dream job, maybe something like Charlie Moore. Get to fish and get paid for it.

afterhours · 04-15-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAC

Aaaack, Bill the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
I did this for a few years before getting into the union and it sux. Long hours, estimates, where you might not get the job. Chasing money, it only takes a few bad customers to break ya. Then all the paperwork, insurance,taxes, vehicle and equipment upkeep. Believe me it gets old quick.
The dream job with a hatteras sounds better

Mac is right on here- i just left that business after 5 yrs.and for 5 yrs before that i was in the auto business, service mgr. to store mgr.all i can say is to try to make a living doing something you enjoy. good luck Dave! (Dave's custom rods and repairs?)

fishaholic18 · 04-15-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterhours

(Dave's custom rods and repairs?)

I've been thinking about that one.

Where were you a Service manager at?

afterhours · 04-15-2005, 07:19 PM

i was the service mgr for express cc, we had 4 good sized dealerships. we processed about 200 cars per mo. plus warranty work thru my facility. i had 12- 16 techs to deal with ( no offense to techs- but what a pia ). it may look like an easy job, but it's full of headaches and bs. i would'nt reccomend to a friend.

JohnR · 04-15-2005, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterhours

it may look like an easy job, but it's full of headaches and bs. i would'nt reccomend to a friend.

It's full of headaches, BS, and often moving around and sheety management but if you get into the right place it is tolerable. Still a grind but tolerable.

Problem is starting over. I did it 10 years ago going from automotive to IT. I wasn't married, no kids, and no mortgage. Back then IT was a sheetload more promising than it is today. It's not bad, just not as good as it used to be or maybe that as good as we thought it was...

Unfortunately, we all can't fish for a living....

Fly Rod · 04-15-2005, 08:15 PM

Zacs!!! I understand ya!!!
I wouldn't want to buy and sell rotten fish either and farm raised with all them antibiotics that you say they do not have!!!! You never answered the last question on the other post!!!! I understand!!!!

After 35 years of being self employed, I have just recently done a career change!!! not bad either!!!!!! I plan on doing my fishing and the job is secondary and lucrative!!!!

RickBomba · 04-15-2005, 08:36 PM

Stripper,
Nuff said!
Later,
Rick

piemma · 04-20-2005, 07:39 AM

Been a software saleman for 30+ years. Now an Internet Cop working with the Feds finding bad guys (Phishers, Spammers, Virus spreaders and some DHS stuff)
There are no GOOD jobs....just ways to make a living and go fishing. Be happy with what you have and make the best of every day.

JohnR · 04-20-2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

Been a software saleman for 30+ years. Now an Internet Cop working with the Feds finding bad guys (Phishers, Spammers, Virus spreaders and some DHS stuff)
There are no GOOD jobs....just ways to make a living and go fishing. Be happy with what you have and make the best of every day.

Let me know if you are hiring

fishweewee · 04-20-2005, 08:13 AM

I have half a mind to set up my own quant trading shop.

I might call it The Wee Wee Fund, L.P.

Getting up at 4:30 every morning, trudging home after 10 p.m., and then being somebody else's bitch-on-call 24/7 is getting tiresome.

redneck24 · 04-20-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

Been a software saleman for 30+ years. Now an Internet Cop working with the Feds finding bad guys (Phishers, Spammers, Virus spreaders and some DHS stuff)
There are no GOOD jobs....just ways to make a living and go fishing. Be happy with what you have and make the best of every day.

i'm actually very happy doing what i do now, and considering the money to be made, i would call it a GOOD job.

partsjay · 04-15-2005, 12:44 PM

I wish I had an answer....in same boat as a couple of you guys.....automotive sucks.....a thank-less job...The part that bites is I can't even think of something else to do....unless I want to take a pay-cut....

chris L · 04-15-2005, 01:15 PM

my next career ? hmmmmm
Im going to be a prostitute . good money , pretty clients and many withdrawls and deposits . good exercise !

outfished · 04-15-2005, 01:24 PM

I've been a photographer/videographer for almost 20 years now and wouldn't dream of changing. But if I had to change, I guess marine biology or some sort of earth science.

JohnR · 04-15-2005, 01:21 PM

Dave - Daryl did have a decent idea. Anyway you slice it the Car Biz sucks but going over to a role as a writer, dispatcher, or ASM for a while and work towards being a shop manager might be at minimum a good career change to at least hold you over until devine intervention kicks in. If you have questions on the back end of that business, I may be able to answer them for you as I did that for 7-8 years.

IF you were to do that, go to an all Jap shop, pref Toy, Honda, Nissan (in that order) as a lot of the work is gravy work with a mild reduction in headache -v- domestic. This is not an endorsement for the Japanese cars but an observation that they need regular maintenance more than many domestics so there is more balance in the work load. VW is also good in that space.

Money is not what a Class A tech doing 60-80 flat rate is going to make, not even what an A Tech is making @ 40 but it is less stressful on the body short term and long term. You won't need to yell "Put a %&$@# hose on it

" but you will need to tell the line to fill out the RO, verify it if REALLY needs brakes, and get bitched at when you don't get the upsell, Oh, and you will need to worry about CSI. I think every tech should spend a month as a writer to learn about CSI

.

Other options, especially where you are a tranny guy, is to get a job as an estimator for one of the underwiting/warrwanty companies. Yes, kindof a crap job but there is some flexibility, you use the knowledge you already have, and you would probably be good at it. You are Master, right?

fishaholic18 · 04-15-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnR

Other options, especially where you are a tranny guy, is to get a job as an estimator for one of the underwiting/warrwanty companies. Yes, kindof a crap job but there is some flexibility, you use the knowledge you already have, and you would probably be good at it. You are Master, right?

Holy S#@$%, I never thought of that.
Yes, I've been a Master for about 10 years or so.

JohnR · 04-15-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

Holy S#@$%, I never thought of that.
Yes, I've been a Master for about 10 years or so.

Also, talk to the some of the Zone service reps and maybe get a gig at the regional training center.... Call me this weekend.

TheSpecialist · 04-15-2005, 03:11 PM

Dave check your pm's

Mac I hear ya, it's not easy running your own business..

kevin d · 04-15-2005, 03:39 PM

A year or 2 ago I got paid $100 to drive a bride and groom in my buddy's 68 Buick GS convertible. Couldn't believe I was gettin PAID to do that! I got calls and e mails for months after that requesting the same service. Now all I need is a fleet of classic convertibles......
I just retired from the Marine Corps in Dec and have been trying to find a job that pays well and and isn't a drag. Not much luck so far.
I have a buddy who wants to do charter fishing when he retires. That might be the way to go for some of you!

redlite · 04-15-2005, 03:40 PM

Went to college for environmental engineering with the dream of being a squirrel cop in Mass. Talked to one from my hometown and he told me not to bother. Very few openings and getting one of the very few openings is extremely politically influenced. He told me to just become a State Trooper as they go through the same training, but staties make more, but they don't get the cool toys of the squirrel cops.
That being said, got a 97 on the last state exam and they just announced that they are going to start taking 97's and above, so my hopes might still be alive.
Been a bean counter for the past 5 years and HATE it. Benefits are great, especially with time off to fish and I'm inside driving a desk chair all day, but I'm sick of crunchin numbers.
I need a new job soon too.
My little brother just went through a carrer change of being a mechanic since he went through tech school, but now just got hired by our town's water department and got hired as a call fireman. He doesn't miss his hands being permanently grease stained.
Good luck to you in what way you go for.

JohnR · 04-15-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnR

Also, talk to the some of the Zone service reps and maybe get a gig at the regional training center.... Call me this weekend.

Funny thing, I was just talking to my new neighbor across the street and he's the GM Service Rep for SE Mass - I'll need to ask where someone like you might fit in that type of ogranization next time I see him...

fishaholic18 · 04-15-2005, 04:15 PM

I may still have some hope.
You guys are the best.
THANKS!!!!!
I feel a little better now.

Got Stripers · 04-16-2005, 07:31 PM

Fishing TV host comes to mind, top shutterbug for all the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit shoots would be nice, son of obseinly rich parents who were kind enough to leave it all to me without enough time left to even come close to spending it all, oh I can think of a million jobs or non-jobs I'd rather be doing.

Just give me 5 million and I'll get back to you

.

Notaro · 04-16-2005, 08:56 PM

i would become a muay thai fighter if i have no wife, kids, and a normal life.

afterhours · 04-16-2005, 08:59 PM

how about official supermodel bikini waxer?

Notaro · 04-16-2005, 09:51 PM

now, that's nasty, afterhour. it doesnt pay that much.

JohnR · 04-17-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notaro

i would become a muay thai fighter if i have no wife, kids, and a normal life.

You have no wife and kids and I imagine a semi-normal life, right?

...

Notaro · 04-17-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnR

You have no wife and kids and I imagine a semi-normal life, right?

...

Yup, John. I will keep fighting until the right one comes along, I will quit and get a normal life. Man, my life totally sucks now. I haven't found the right girl.

CAL:
UFC

Nah, i don't do groundfighting. Try K-1. They pay better than regular Muay Thai bouts.