Im 37 ,married with two small kids and am in desperate need of a career change. Icurrently work nights in a wholesale warehouse and have done so for the last 11 years.Imake about $ 16 an hr. but raises come only once a year and are usually minimal at best.I've looked into both welding and truck driving as possible changes but have gotten mixed responses on both. I don't have the time to go to a four year school and really need to get going on this so any suggestions would be most welcome .Thanx.
2007-09-25 09:44:07 · 6 answers · asked by noldorin69 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
The man who works on our Washing Machine and Dryer (SEARS) makes a lot of money!! He went to school for refrigeration..Welding has it's risks like lead poisoning, bad burns, etc..(my son and husband went to school and decided against it)...and u need to be around for your kids!.....Don't be a truck driver and leave your family....
Computers are where it's at, as well....Can you go to night school at your local Com.College? How about nursing? Another friend of ours went to school at nights and is now making 75 bucks an hour plus and is working to become a air/flight nurse....over 100 dollars per hour....
You're not too old to start a career like this, and you could be a big help to your kids being a nurse!....Happy Days!
2007-09-25 09:50:02 · answer #1 · answered by Call me-C-4-Curious- 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband has been a truck driver for 8 years now; he's 37 and we have three young children. It's a tough industry; especially now that our presidork (er, president, LOL) wants to push through the Mexican Truck Program, which will do the US absolutely no good, it will only cause us to give up more jobs to illegals (IMO). Honestly, you are making more than my husband is right now, and he works locally as a spotter for a well-known automotive filtration company. If you start out in trucking with one of the companies that trains you, I can guarantee you that you will be out on the road for 2-3 weeks before you get any home time, and that will not stop until you find another job at another company (which is not easy to do right now). Do you really want to spend so much time away from your little ones? Or from your spouse? I don't know much about welding so I can't help you there; but I've heard it's pretty unhealthy and dangerous.
As for school and other options; there are schools that have online study options, you might look into those (such as Univ. of Phoenix, or even your local colleges and universities). Have you thought about trying to break into the management tier where you're working right now? You've been there long enough; most employers will overlook the college education in favor of as much experience as you've got under your belt. It wouldn't hurt to ask; the worst they can say is no.
2007-09-25 09:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by purrfectpals5 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With your young kids you won't appreciate truck-driving if you have to be away from home, especially for long-haul. You would probably make more money at welding, especially specialty welding. The key is, 'where is the work?"
You could also consider fire services, law enforcement, by-law enforcement, do night courses for college for almost any career.
Your choice is wide open if you set your mind to it.
2007-09-25 09:57:38 · answer #3 · answered by fiddlesticks9 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you decide to do welding it would benefit you with your family, because at least your be home by a certain time. The truck drivers that are making the money are the ones with the tractor trailer license and most of them are barely home. If you have a CDL class A (tractor trailers) you can start off with $70,000 per year and work your way up to $90,000 annually. These driver are always traveling long distance to other states. One thing is for sure Truck Drivers are on high demand.
2007-09-25 10:03:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Both can be good paying jobs, depending on how you good you are at what you do. I drive a truck. I am away from home usually two nights a week. The pay is good, I usually bring home about two grand every two weeks. But I stay moving when I'm at work. Welders also make good money, but to make the big bucks you gotta be gone a lot doing pipeline work. I am also certified in air conditioning, but it didn't pay nearly as well as truck driving.
2007-09-25 12:38:01 · answer #5 · answered by swcasper2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A truck driver does not much salary than you are doing right now . If you have little knowleged of welding why dont you start your own bussiness I know a man who never took a course in welding start his own bussiness and now he is rich Good Luck
2007-09-25 09:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by lala 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do welding your kids would appreciate it. Trucking is not for the weak at heart.
2014-08-27 10:12:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋