View Full Version : Changing careers
lineman1968
Jan 4, 2009, 07:55 AM
I am an electrical lineman I make 32.00 an hr I want to get out of this career immediately I have no experience in nothing else and I am not financially able to quit are there any ojt jobs out there that will keep me close to this income so that I can change jobs now
twinkiedooter
Jan 4, 2009, 09:07 AM
You would have to be retrained and that would take time. Are you tired of your job or is it the danger factor that wants you to leave? Usually linemen love their job being on their own a lot. The cammeraderie of the fellow linemen is legendary. Usually linemen go on to be supervisors who don't climb up the poles.
You may want to look into working on the ground as an electrician. You would be out of the weather somewhat and probably closer to home or be home every night. It wouldn't take much retraining either and you could possibly make as much money as well.
Clough
Jan 9, 2009, 01:04 AM
Hi, lineman1968!
What sort of education and interests that you have, please? You mention that you have no experience in anything else. However, have you any additional skills or training that you might not have yet used in a job capacity?
Why are you wanting to get out of that type of work immediately? More information from you would be helpful so that we can help you the best here.
Thanks!
trmpldonagn
Feb 1, 2009, 02:19 PM
Can you work for the same company but in the actual office itself? It doesn't sound like you're an office person but I am not sure. But just one example; I work on and off for a Utilities company. I'm just a contractor right now. They have meter-readers and naturally various jobs that are outside. A lot of the men try to get into the office where they run (Opex) machines and several other types of machines. Basically, they are not necessarily confined to a desk or "in an office" all day. I make more money as a payment processor than the poor guys outside. Also, it was very easy to train for since all it is is opening mail and entering payments or data. I do not know if the company you work for has job postings or if there is someone there you can speak to. The internet can be very resourceful as well when looking to change careers. You'd be surprised. Don't be intimidated because you may not have a whole lot of experience in other areas. You CAN learn. Again, you'd be surprised. What hobbies do you like or what "life" experiences do you have? Some employers will hire you because you have a lot of life experience(s) or because you studied on your own something of interest to you. Try not to be discouraged in these tough times. Good luck to you!
Fr_Chuck
Feb 1, 2009, 06:38 PM
The basic easy answer is no.
You make 66,000 a year and I can not think of any entry level jobs in a new field that would even pay 1/2 of that.
trmpldonagn
Feb 1, 2009, 09:07 PM
What state are you in? That may help. Where I work (on and off), they pay 23/hr for an entry level position but this is rare. As I've said, it's for a utility company and we don't know where you live for starters. And would you be willing to relocate? Truckers around here by me start at a good 45-50K. I personally do not want to drive a truck but you? And the hours can be odd. There are few jobs out there that do not even require a degree but can start you out at 40K. It depends on your interests. Even though we are living in tough times, there are still a few employers that will take you on and train you.