I am contemplating a career switch. Before doing so I am probably going to take night classes in the carpentry program at a tech school. This will make for very long days as the school is about 40 miles away from work and home.
I am a CAD operator at an architectural firm and 31 years old with a wife and two children. This would be a big step for me, but I think I am ready to make it. I have posted about this before, but now I am ready to make a move. I can’t wait forever and let life go by me. It seems that each year passes faster.
Could you please give me some words of encouragement or discouragement? Like I said it is a big step. Also do you think I should go the tech school route or buy a little fixer upper and learn as I go? Any other ideas?
Thanks for the past responses, but I need some new encouragement to give me a fresh kick in the pants.
Thanks,
S.J.
Replies
Paleo,
I was going to write a long winded response of both encouragement and warnings, but before I do I think it would help if we knew just what kind of experience and skills you have (both business and trade).
Have you been working construction as a side job? Was it a caraeer you had before CAD?
Tony
"just what kind of experience and skills you have (both business and trade)."
I don't have very much experience, just a lot of reading and some little projects around the house. That is why I am considering the tech school route. I figure that way I could at least start a step above the very bottom and do a little more than haul materials around. I know there would be plenty of that anyway.
"Have you been working construction as a side job?"
No, but I have seen side jobs mentioned several times on this forum and am curious. Is it a common thing to have side jobs after hours in the construction trades? How does this work with noise concerns and such? Is it mostly a weekend thing?
One possible thought is to join the carpenters union local in your area.
Ya I can hear the moans but they offer apprenticeship training.
First year apprentices with advance knowledge and some , even if minor, experience will find themselves steadily employed. You'll find yourself in the field actively applying what you'll be learning at your night classes. And you'll be earning some good benefits.
After 4 years or less, advancing as fast as your skills let you you'll find yourself earning a killer wage. If you chose after that to go out and start your own business you'll be all the better ready for it and with a list of great craftsmen to consider hiring for yourself.
I am not a union member but I am proud to say I was a member from 1978-1990. I started my remodeling business during this time. While I went in as a journeyman I can tell you the quality of my locals training was superb.
Good luck what ever you decide.
That is an option I will have to check into. Thanks.
one of the problem with our tech school is that they turn out 300 student every ninety days. they not enough job open in that skill. Our market is flooded with HVAC tech and computer tech, so the pay ain;t that good. If a cad operated makes better I stay there.
Definitely check on union apprenticeship. I started my apprenticeship in 1961 at $1.33 per hour, this was 1/3 rd of the journeymans rate. Retired in 1997 with a pension that is quite livable.You will get the best training available and meet a lot of good men. I doubt you will ever be sorry, we'll maybe once in a while when you get on a crappy job. You'll find some jobs great a few lousy and many somewhere in between.Go for it, good luck.
Mike K - Local 8
S. J. -
I was in your situation about a year and a half ago. I knew that the field that I was in at the time was not good for my sanity. I took a huge cut in pay to take a job as a carpenter. We struggled for a while to get by. But, I have not once regretted the decision. I love what I do and I look forward to going to work (almost) every day.
I have found that it is easy to stand out in this trade. Go to work with an attitude that you want to learn. The guys that I work with don't really make any effort to try to learn. Show up early and be ready to work hard. Don't take shortcuts. Show that you can handle responsibility.
When I first started, I made sure that I was never standing around. If we had a few minutes of idle time I grabbed a broom or picked up scrap or whatever. I think it made a difference in how the boss looked at me.
You wanted advice so here is mine: If you can afford to make the financial adjustment, and you think this is what you want to do, then go for it. If you find out that you don't like the work you can always go back to drafting. Life is too short to wonder what might have happened if.....
By the way, where are you located?
Mark
Yes, I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.
"Go to work with an attitude that you want to learn. The guys that I work with don't really make any effort to try to learn. Show up early and be ready to work hard. Don't take shortcuts. Show that you can handle responsibility"
Mark,
Well said, and.......important to any job.
Jon
I agree with the test drive theory.
I am an engineer by day, and work on my 'fixer-upper' on the weekends. Not sure what the source of your yearning to be a carpenter is - can you elaborate? Also, what kind of carpentry are you considering?
But here's my story- in my last job, there was a lot more hands-on fabricating and building things (electric vehicles, actually) than I do currently as an energy consultant. I found that while I enjoy the hands on stuff, doing it all week at work meant that I was not interested in doing any of my own projects after work. So now I satisfy my 'build things itch' at home on projects of my own choosing, which I find more rewarding than building things for other people.
Back to your situation, I would take the carpentry gig for a spin if you can, by taking the class and getting exposure to the skills, and then by practicing either on a fixer-upper as you say, or by helping out someone you know. The friendly folks at Breaktime are always happy to answer questions along the way!
Good luck!
I agree with those who suggest that you take a test drive. A fixer upper is a good economical way to go if you can stand to live in a work in progress. The main problem with this approach is that you can spend a tremendous amount of time figuring something out that an experienced carpenter could show you in five minutes time. Ask around and find someone who does side work and is willing to show you what he knows. This is usually weekend work and is always behind schedule, so your eager presence will be welcome to the right person.
"I am contemplating a career switch. Before doing so I am probably going to take night classes in the carpentry program at a tech school....... I am a CAD operator at an architectural firm and 31 years old with a wife and two children."
Paleo,
I'm not sure where you are coming from. Where I work, our CAD guys make pretty decent money. Certainly more than a carp, unless owner/operator.
IMO, carpentry skills are learned on the job, just like so many others. Not to sound discouraging, but if you really want to do that type of work, find a way to take it for a test drive, so to speak.
Hook up with a guy who moonlites, and work with him. Read every issue of FHB, (and maybe JLC) Read all the books you can find about the topic.
There is no shortage of one man shows out there who need the OCCASIONAL helping hand.
Remember, you DO NOT have the luxury of no responsibilities that an eighteen year old with no dependents has.
Jon
"Remember, you DO NOT have the luxury of no responsibilities that an eighteen year old with no dependents has."
I know, that's why I've hesitated so long. It is a big step to switch jobs even more so careers. I think I am in a situation where I could do it now if I take advantage of the opportunity. It would be tough, but I think we could get through it and in the long run coculd be much happier.
moonlights huh? I am not in this industry but i am a pretty advanced DIYer I have built a house, a garage apartment, and lots of remodel work.I have a CDL my own tools and am 32 and pretty strong. are there many industry people out there who hire evening and weekend help? I would love to hook up with someone who is building there own place or is moonlighting evenings for extra cash and knowledge. how would you go about finding someone?
"...are there many industry people out there who hire evening and weekend help?"
"I would love to hook up with someone who is building there own place or is moonlighting evenings for extra cash and knowledge. how would you go about finding someone?"
I have the same question. It never really occured to me before that there was much moonlighting going on in construction. I new that some work weekends, but had no idea that so many people in the trades spent nights working on their own. That might be a good way to learn, maybe even better than school if I could find the right person/ people to learn from.
It is not that hard to find work. What is hard to find is someone that can and wants to teach you something. There is no hard and fast rule as to how to do this. You will just have to ask around. It will probably not be someone with their own business. This guy is already behind his schedule and if he works weekends it is to try to catch up.
We have an excellent carpenter working for us who takes on a few side jobs but he does this less than fifteen weekends a year. Any more and he gets burnt out.
Moonlighting is by its very nature an inconsistent source of work. You will need to be patient enough to put up with this and persistent enough to find the person who needs you as much as you need him.
The only way to find the right mentor is to ask around. Start with everyone you know. There is a good chance that they have had work done in the past couple of years and thus have some good contacts. If you have a local lumber yard around, go there and talk to the folks there. One thing will lead to another. Good luck.
"moonlights huh? I am not in this industry but i am a pretty advanced DIYer....... are there many industry people out there who hire evening and weekend help? I would love to hook up with someone who is building there own place or is moonlighting evenings for extra cash and knowledge. how would you go about finding someone?"
AJ,
I'm not in the homebuilding industry myself, but.....I've never, ever had a problem finding people who do "work on the side" for stuff I can't or don't feel like doing. Network, network, network.
Your here right? So you've already started. BTW and FWI, fill in your profile, its a start, and post in the "Help wanted working folder"
Jon
I am a remodeling and construction junky. I've many times thought about leaving my Software Engineering job for the trades (electrician probably). Instead, I just perpetually remodel my own house. It gives me enough of a reminder that I consider my desk job with paid leave and benefits to be better than a trade. And it acts as therapy too.
If you really got to have it like I do and you don't want to remodel your own house, try to find a carpenter that will let you work with him on Saturdays. I think that will get you farther than any night school. Of course I never thought school did much for me other than take up precious time.
All that having been said, I'm quite sure you can make a successful transition. If a desk job just isn't for you, then by all means let it fly, but make sure your wife and kids are behind you. You don't want your household to become a problem while you are making this transition.
MERC
"If you really got to have it like I do and you don't want to remodel your own house, try to find a carpenter that will let you work with him on Saturdays. I think that will get you farther than any night school. Of course I never thought school did much for me other than take up precious time."
I may have a contact to a carpenter that does good work. My wife's boss is having a home built and he has been saying that this guy doesn't cut corners and does things right. My wife cuts a check every week for this carpenter and his wife picks it up. I may have my wife mention to her that I am interested in some weekend work as a learning opportunity.
Much good advise on your original question.
I went to a funeral yesterday, 34 yr old wife of good friend 54 yrs old with 2yr old and a 6yr old kids. How sad what this world can do to you.
Look at what you want to do, looks good to me. But with the family you need to compare it to a road trip. In the old days you would just get a hair up and throw your stuff in the van/truck/ car and let er rip. Now its a little different. It's no longer all about you.
So my advise is that if your going to do it, lay out your map so you know where your going. At least lay out about 5 years. The road may have some detours but you will be very able to stay close to the route, and since you are the driver. You will get there.
No luck all Skill will get you there, well maybe a little luck.
Clay
"Much good advise on your original question."
Yes, and thanks to everyone.
"In the old days you would just get a hair up and throw your stuff in the van/truck/ car and let er rip. Now its a little different. It's no longer all about you."
There pretty much wasn't any in the old days. I married my high school sweetheart 13 1/2 years ago and our first born came along 2 years later. I'm 31 now so you can do the math and see how unconventional that was. Some may think I was stupid, but I say I'm blessed with a wonderful wife and two great children. However, I don't want my kids to try that.
"So my advise is that if your going to do it, lay out your map so you know where your going. At least lay out about 5 years. The road may have some detours but you will be very able to stay close to the route, and since you are the driver. You will get there."
Good advice. I am definately weighing my options and thinking about the future. I have let fear of the unknown paralyze me a bit too much though.
Thanks,
S.J.
I started my trade school at 29 yrs old ... shared my 30th BDay with my 19 year old roommate and his 18 to 20 year old friends ...
Can be done ... 31's not too old ....
though bet the first coupla weeks ya feel 62.
Not sure if I'd be singing the same song w/o the background in K&B's ... or the first career in sales. Or ... the supportive wife with a solid ... at the time .. job.
First she made more money ... now I do.
I decided on more schooling as all I knew was interior work ... had to turn down a good sized addition right before .. as I suffered from a healthy case of "commom sense". Knew what I didn;t know.
Firgued if I was to make any money at this ... still had tons to learn. I'm all for a hands on trade school ... coupled with a solid background .. so you know what Q's to ask when sitting in class ... gotta know what you'll need to know .. but don't .. yet.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Pal,
I have had 5 careers. When I decide to do something else I do it. But, my wife is super supportive. I have a business base of rental property and my wife carries the health insurance. Like Jeff mentions sometimes I have made more money and sometimes she does. I could not have made the switches without her income as a base. Not without my family doing without and I am unwilling to ask that of them. When I went into business I worked an extra year teaching along with the business to save more cash so as to not burdent my family. Your wife may say she doesn't mind giving up some things but neither of you will know for sure till it happens. DanT
Looks like you've been hanging around Breaktime for a while. That's a good thing.
Several folks have suggested a "test drive". I'd say I agree with them. What you're talking about doing is a pretty serious move. Don't take it too lightly.
I'm a "desk jockey" too - A truss designer. There are times I HATE being cooped up in this office. But it pays a lot better than being a carpenter, so I haven't given it up.
I get my "fix" of working with my hands evenings and weekends doing all sorts of things. Working on my own house, building a spec house, farming, working on projects for non-profit organizations, and working for others on remodelling projects.
It's not a perfect system, but it works for me.
Is your Wife behind this 100% ? That would be a big factor. Does she have a good job? Are you done having kids? You could be in a big bind if you take a low paying carpenter's job and she ends up on bed rest for 90 days in a complicated pregnancy with twins.
I hate to tell a guy not to follow his dreams. But dreams have a price. Only you can decide if you need to follow that dream.
There are 10 kinds of people; those who can count in binary and those who can't.
I started out going to university for mechanical engineering, switched to architecture, had to exit that and became a mechanic. Finally completed a degree and taught auto for years. Met wife and moved and teaching was not looking promising so I sort of fell into carpentry, though I'd always dabbled in it. Moved again and stayed working with carpentry. Last year went on my own. Working in the trade and studying on your own is by suggestion, unless your wife can support your full time schooling. My wife works and I couldn't have gone out on my own without her paycheck. Not that I'm losing money, but starting up your own business is not overnight riches (if ever!)
Try it and see how you like working in the trade before you commit to school is my suggestion. I'm so close to 50 it's not funny, and the work is physically demanding at times, but I love it.
Still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. All the best.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!