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I'm not going to bore you all with a 5 paragraph essay of my personal story, I know none of you particularly care, nor is it necessarily relevant to what I'm really trying to ask here. I dicked up in High School, and I don't think I can really go to any good Colleges. I've been sitting here for a few hours, listening to my Pandora and thinking. Student Loans are a bullshit scam, tuition for college and all that is a joke (My brother just graduated from FAU with 160k of shit overall, in a 4 year degree). I spend all of that time, and all of that money, to essentially become either an Engineer or a Research Monkey for whatever I would end up going into inevitably.
So let me just lay this out for you. I want to move abroad, somewhere in Europe or Canada. I am Canadian, so it would not be too harsh for me to move there. The problem is, I don't know what the fuck to do. I would probably kill myself if I had to work some cubicle 9-5 job, and I literally would kill myself if I had to work at Walmart for the rest of my life. However, the more I think of it -- college is stupid and why the fuck would I want to do that. It's not like I'm 15 years old and going "FUCK THE SYSTEM" or something. I'm 18, and I've been thinking on this for a long time. Education is not for everyone, and it sure as hell isn't for me. Sure I like to read books and watch documentaries on Black Holes and shit like that -- but I'm by no stretch an intellect.
So, here's where my title comes into play. I was thinking of going into a trade school. I've heard from plenty of people much older than me, that learning a specific Trade can be very rewarding. You spend basically nothing on education, and may even get paid in Apprenticeship a very small amount. You come out, and depending on what you specialized in and how specific it is, can be starting out making more dosh than people who spend that few dozen grand getting a 4 year education. I know my Cousin became like, a fucking Pipefitter or something like that and makes some ridiculous money from it.
Of course, it's not all about money. I'm a very simple man, and can (and have in the past) live on very little. As long as I'm doing SOMETHING that requires a modicum of cognitive ability and pays relatively well so that I'm not living paycheck to paycheck, I would be overjoyed. I just need to do SOMETHING.
It's like, what do I do though? I don't even know where to fucking start. I mean, if I become certified in whatever in America -- am I still if I were to move to Canada/Europe, or would I have to go into Apprenticeship again? Where the hell do I even begin Apprenticeship, or do we just do Vocational Schools nowadays? Or do I just go to some Community College for two years and get an Associates? Now that I think of it, do I need to like...apply? Like, the standard go online, or do I just go in and be like "Yo I want to do X"
I was thinking of becoming like a Millwright or something to do with machinery. Something that would be relatively stimulating on the mind. So this is part blogging about my whining, and part me asking a question for those with experience in learning a Trade that can give someone some advice? I just really am starting to think College isn't the thing for me.
  
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Just do porn if you're decent looking with a 9 inch dick. It helps if you can do Gay porn, doesn't matter if your straight or not.
User was warned for this post
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On November 29 2011 12:49 supdubdup wrote:
Just do porn if you're decent looking with a 9 inch dick. It helps if you can do Gay porn, doesn't matter if your straight or not.
Pretty sure having gay sex is directly affected by whether or not you are gay.
Nonetheless, thanks the er...help.
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Calgary25981 Posts
If you're open to anything, Calgary oil and gas trades are all very successful. Welding trade -> welder's helper -> welding apprentice -> welder (structural, pipeline, facilities, all) -> inspector is a standard build order.
The build can work for all trades (pipefitters, operators, millwrights, electricians, sheetmetal workers, xray and non-destructive examination, programmers and communications, survey, line locators etc. etc. I can't even list them all). Obviously field work pays significant more but is harder and less consistent than shop work.
If you want to be an industrial trade, Alberta is a good spot these days.
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Any reason in particular that you think college is stupid? I'm just curious to hear your opinion is all. It really does open so many possibilities in one's life
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That would be really relevant if I mentioned I wanted to be a porn star. Please, you're being completely inane.
On November 29 2011 13:00 FinestHour wrote:
Any reason in particular that you think college is stupid? I'm just curious to hear your opinion is all. It really does open so many possibilities in one's life
I don't think it's -stupid-, I just don't think it's for me. I feel a 4 year degree is either a hit or miss. Either you spend 100-200k on an education that is worth fuck all, or you do it and become educated and do something nice. However, I just don't think it's for me right now. I'm a terrible student, but I'm a fast learner and a good worker. If that makes any sense?
On November 29 2011 12:56 Chill wrote:
If you're open to anything, Calgary oil and gas trades are all very successful. Welding trade -> welder's helper -> welding apprentice -> welder (structural, pipeline, facilities, all) -> inspector is a standard build order.
The build can work for all trades (pipefitters, operators, millwrights, electricians, sheetmetal workers, xray and non-destructive examination, programmers and communications, survey, line locators etc. etc. I can't even list them all). Obviously field work pays significant more but is harder and less consistent than shop work.
If you want to be an industrial trade, Alberta is a good spot these days.
Well, it's no secret that Oil or Renewable Energy and whatnot is a HUGE field today. I was actually just thinking of doing something like that. I think Alberta is like, the one place in Canada I haven't visited either. That and Nova Scotia (but who wants to go there  ). Anyways, my main concern is -- where the hell do I start? Once I get going I can figure it all out from there, but I just...where the hell do I start? If I were to do this? As I stated in my blog, do I sign up for some school near me -- or do I look some guy up and be like "Can I be your apprentice" (perhaps not like that, but you get my point).
I'm not really asking for my hand to be held, just pointed in the right direction is all.
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Yeah, good choice on the college thing. If it isn't for you, it isn't for you. It wasn't for me and I was there for 4 years and didn't get shit from it but 12k in debt which i have since mostly paid off. Trade school is big on my mind right now. I'm just working part time jobs until I know what I want to do. It's easy to let yourself go and just keep working paycheck to paycheck though. You gotta keep your hands on the bull's horns and actually do the research until you find what you want. Don't just sit around going "well I have HALF of my days where I'm free, but I'm still broke as shit, but I can do whatever as long as it's basically free." That WILL make you depressed unless your life's ambition is to join the monastery.
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I don't have enough experience with trades to give you super specific advice. However, I suggest you try and get some focus into the type of work you want to do. All of the trades do different sorts of work and have a different daily routine. I suggest you try to do some entry job as a part of a big project so that you can see what all of the trades do.
With that said, I think that being a household electrician would be an easier job. It's not that physically intensive and it's pretty easy. It's mostly some conceptual work to figure out the best configuration and then you just run wires, connect things up, whatever. House construction+renovation trades are always in demand where I live and I think they make a decent living.
Honestly, it just depends on your ambitions and what you want to do and how much you'd want to make. Most trades doing regular work have an artificial cap on their salary because they can only work so many hours in a day.
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if you don't know what you want to do try the military. at the very worst you will leave four years later with the ability to go to college for free. That's what I'm doing. I don't know if it works that way in Canada though. XD overlooked that you were from Canada.
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Calgary25981 Posts
On November 29 2011 13:17 Fruscainte wrote:That would be really relevant if I mentioned I wanted to be a porn star. Please, you're being completely inane. Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 13:00 FinestHour wrote:
Any reason in particular that you think college is stupid? I'm just curious to hear your opinion is all. It really does open so many possibilities in one's life I don't think it's -stupid-, I just don't think it's for me. I feel a 4 year degree is either a hit or miss. Either you spend 100-200k on an education that is worth fuck all, or you do it and become educated and do something nice. However, I just don't think it's for me right now. I'm a terrible student, but I'm a fast learner and a good worker. If that makes any sense? Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 12:56 Chill wrote:
If you're open to anything, Calgary oil and gas trades are all very successful. Welding trade -> welder's helper -> welding apprentice -> welder (structural, pipeline, facilities, all) -> inspector is a standard build order.
The build can work for all trades (pipefitters, operators, millwrights, electricians, sheetmetal workers, xray and non-destructive examination, programmers and communications, survey, line locators etc. etc. I can't even list them all). Obviously field work pays significant more but is harder and less consistent than shop work.
If you want to be an industrial trade, Alberta is a good spot these days. Well, it's no secret that Oil or Renewable Energy and whatnot is a HUGE field today. I was actually just thinking of doing something like that. I think Alberta is like, the one place in Canada I haven't visited either. That and Nova Scotia (but who wants to go there ). Anyways, my main concern is -- where the hell do I start? Once I get going I can figure it all out from there, but I just...where the hell do I start? If I were to do this? As I stated in my blog, do I sign up for some school near me -- or do I look some guy up and be like "Can I be your apprentice" (perhaps not like that, but you get my point). I'm not really asking for my hand to be held, just pointed in the right direction is all.
You pick a trade and go to a trade school. For example, if you wanted to be a welder you'd go to trade school for welding. Then you look for work as a welders helper. Then, after you get enough experience and training, you pass a test to become an apprentice, then level 1, then bla bla bla. Then, years later, you realize the fat old guy sitting in his truck all day is getting more money than you and you become an inspector.
Being a field trade isn't an easy life. You make a lot of money and you're away from your home a lot. It takes a certain hardened personality to do it. I couldn't do it, so if I was a trade, I'd be a shop trade.
Being a shop trade has up and downs too. You'll always be charging hourly, so when there's work you will be super busy and when there's none you'll be fired or go without pay. Shop welders make a lot of money. As mentioned above, any residential trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter) will always be needed. It just depends on what you want to do really.
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On November 29 2011 14:12 aguy38 wrote:
if you don't know what you want to do try the military. at the very worst you will leave four years later with the ability to go to college for free. That's what I'm doing. I don't know if it works that way in Canada though. XD overlooked that you were from Canada.
Not from Canada, I intend on moving back to Canada. Well, "intend" is a bad word. More of, it's in the books as "may" move back.
On November 29 2011 15:59 Chill wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 13:17 Fruscainte wrote:That would be really relevant if I mentioned I wanted to be a porn star. Please, you're being completely inane. On November 29 2011 13:00 FinestHour wrote:
Any reason in particular that you think college is stupid? I'm just curious to hear your opinion is all. It really does open so many possibilities in one's life I don't think it's -stupid-, I just don't think it's for me. I feel a 4 year degree is either a hit or miss. Either you spend 100-200k on an education that is worth fuck all, or you do it and become educated and do something nice. However, I just don't think it's for me right now. I'm a terrible student, but I'm a fast learner and a good worker. If that makes any sense? On November 29 2011 12:56 Chill wrote:
If you're open to anything, Calgary oil and gas trades are all very successful. Welding trade -> welder's helper -> welding apprentice -> welder (structural, pipeline, facilities, all) -> inspector is a standard build order.
The build can work for all trades (pipefitters, operators, millwrights, electricians, sheetmetal workers, xray and non-destructive examination, programmers and communications, survey, line locators etc. etc. I can't even list them all). Obviously field work pays significant more but is harder and less consistent than shop work.
If you want to be an industrial trade, Alberta is a good spot these days. Well, it's no secret that Oil or Renewable Energy and whatnot is a HUGE field today. I was actually just thinking of doing something like that. I think Alberta is like, the one place in Canada I haven't visited either. That and Nova Scotia (but who wants to go there ). Anyways, my main concern is -- where the hell do I start? Once I get going I can figure it all out from there, but I just...where the hell do I start? If I were to do this? As I stated in my blog, do I sign up for some school near me -- or do I look some guy up and be like "Can I be your apprentice" (perhaps not like that, but you get my point). I'm not really asking for my hand to be held, just pointed in the right direction is all. You pick a trade and go to a trade school. For example, if you wanted to be a welder you'd go to trade school for welding. Then you look for work as a welders helper. Then, after you get enough experience and training, you pass a test to become an apprentice, then level 1, then bla bla bla. Then, years later, you realize the fat old guy sitting in his truck all day is getting more money than you and you become an inspector. Being a field trade isn't an easy life. You make a lot of money and you're away from your home a lot. It takes a certain hardened personality to do it. I couldn't do it, so if I was a trade, I'd be a shop trade. Being a shop trade has up and downs too. You'll always be charging hourly, so when there's work you will be super busy and when there's none you'll be fired or go without pay. Shop welders make a lot of money. As mentioned above, any residential trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter) will always be needed. It just depends on what you want to do really.
Well, I was thinking of either Welder or Millwright. Especially the latter. I don't think I'd be someone who could be traveling all over the place all the time, frankly, but if it's what I would have to do, I guess I would have to do it. Guess I'll look into it a bit more and see. My main concern though, which I don't think was answered, was if I become Certified in the United States, would it carry over into other countries? Does it depend on what I'm doing moreso?
Since this -is- in fact a blog, I guess I'll say this. I suppose if I am going to choose this style of life, I need to suck it up and work my ass off for a couple of years and travel around all over the place. After I get 6-7 years of solid experience traveling all over the place, I guess it would be pretty easy to find a nice job to just settle down and all that shit. It would be immature for me to think that I could do 2 years of Trade School and expect to start 60k and not having to move around at all.
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So I've been looking around and shit into Millwright(ing?). So far, the two (best?) colleges I've been hearing in Canada for it are SAIT and BCIT. Perhaps I should move to Canada for my education.
This is looking really awesome, I'm not gonna lie. It looks like just my type of thing, and even if I don't particularly like it -- I will get the general training to specialize in something more I would enjoy.
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51490 Posts
I know you wanted trade school, but have you thought of the Army? Or is that a no no?
Im not sure about USA army, but in England's army there is a part of it called "reamy" which is basically army college, you go there and learn a trade Vehicle Mechanics (fixing tanks and jeeps) Electronics (This branches off into loads, but basically from fixing aiming sites on tanks to fixing the computer systems in drones) etc etc. You can do this on good pay in england £30,000 a year for being taught a trade and not even seeing any action just moving from course to course (around the world this is by the way) i speak first hand from this as my brother is doing the excat same thing. He has basically a degree level after 6 years in the army of Electronics, a license to drive boats and a license to Teach scuba diving. He however is looking to get out though (because he is stupid) and going to Phillipines/Thailand with his mate to become a scuba diving instructor and take people out scuba diving (his mate is already out there with his own scuba diving buisness so he is not going to do it blindly) but he is going to be made redudant before this happens so is going to go over with like £30,000 to his name, and in Phillipines/Thailand thats alot of money.
So what im saying is, maybe you could join your Army get a trade within the army, do 5/10 years come out then get a job in a trade, but being with the Army means you can travel the world for free, get respect from everyone and good health service and benefits. (However this is USA army i am not good on the subject and if theres any difference and if the "reamy" style exists over there, if it doesnt im sorry i wasted your time)
Good Luck 
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On November 29 2011 23:56 Pandemona wrote:I know you wanted trade school, but have you thought of the Army? Or is that a no no? Im not sure about USA army, but in England's army there is a part of it called "reamy" which is basically army college, you go there and learn a trade Vehicle Mechanics (fixing tanks and jeeps) Electronics (This branches off into loads, but basically from fixing aiming sites on tanks to fixing the computer systems in drones) etc etc. You can do this on good pay in england £30,000 a year for being taught a trade and not even seeing any action just moving from course to course (around the world this is by the way) i speak first hand from this as my brother is doing the excat same thing. He has basically a degree level after 6 years in the army of Electronics, a license to drive boats and a license to Teach scuba diving. He however is looking to get out though (because he is stupid) and going to Phillipines/Thailand with his mate to become a scuba diving instructor and take people out scuba diving (his mate is already out there with his own scuba diving buisness so he is not going to do it blindly) but he is going to be made redudant before this happens so is going to go over with like £30,000 to his name, and in Phillipines/Thailand thats alot of money. So what im saying is, maybe you could join your Army get a trade within the army, do 5/10 years come out then get a job in a trade, but being with the Army means you can travel the world for free, get respect from everyone and good health service and benefits. (However this is USA army i am not good on the subject and if theres any difference and if the "reamy" style exists over there, if it doesnt im sorry i wasted your time) Good Luck
I'm pretty sure it works in the system of you enlist for like 7 years, and then you get free education when you get out of the Military and that's that. Not really something I want to do. I can afford education just fine, but the thought has crossed my mind, yes.
I just keep thinking that I want to go to Canada, more and more
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Trades are excellent if you are willing to put in the hard work, and they are usually always needed in the world. Anything that can get you a job in the mining sector, oil field sector, or construction sector will most likely always have a job for you willing to pay you a decent wage.(Alberta is probably the best place to go in Canada with Saskatchewan in second now for a trade job).
I have been mulling taking a trade or finishing my business education, both go hand in hand if you want to own your own business lol.
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Don't be a welder, their job sucks balls.
I went the trade school route, as an electrician, and it has worked out just fine for me. I went to school for four years, all while working full time, and getting paid. The classes were free, I just had to pay for books. At the end of 4 years I passed the supposedly hard state license test ezpz with a 96, and now have a job as an journeyman electrician making decent pay, while having exactly zero school debt. And because they put you to work right off the bat making decent money, I actually finished school with a lot of money saved up.
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On November 30 2011 05:18 Sm3agol wrote:
Don't be a welder, their job sucks balls.
I went the trade school route, as an electrician, and it has worked out just fine for me. I went to school for four years, all while working full time, and getting paid. The classes were free, I just had to pay for books. At the end of 4 years I passed the supposedly hard state license test ezpz with a 96, and now have a job as an journeyman electrician making decent pay, while having exactly zero school debt. And because they put you to work right off the bat making decent money, I actually finished school with a lot of money saved up.
Yeah, that's my main thing I'm thinking right now. Almost no debt, if any at all. Along with ridiculous job security and pay from the help of Unions and whatnot.
Now, did you go to like a State College for your education in the States, or did you go to a specific Vocational School, or what? Just curious for how you went about it.
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On November 30 2011 06:11 Fruscainte wrote:Show nested quote +On November 30 2011 05:18 Sm3agol wrote:
Don't be a welder, their job sucks balls.
I went the trade school route, as an electrician, and it has worked out just fine for me. I went to school for four years, all while working full time, and getting paid. The classes were free, I just had to pay for books. At the end of 4 years I passed the supposedly hard state license test ezpz with a 96, and now have a job as an journeyman electrician making decent pay, while having exactly zero school debt. And because they put you to work right off the bat making decent money, I actually finished school with a lot of money saved up. Yeah, that's my main thing I'm thinking right now. Almost no debt, if any at all. Along with ridiculous job security and pay from the help of Unions and whatnot. Now, did you go to like a State College for your education in the States, or did you go to a specific Vocational School, or what? Just curious for how you went about it.
I'm in the union down in Jacksonville, LU177. The apprenticeship runs through it, and the union contractors support the school. All you have to do is apply at the school, which is a separate entity, a trade school only. From there, depending on how much work there is, you either get picked up instantly or you have a wait a little while. If/When you get accepted, you get a job with a local contractor, and you start your free classes. Pay is in percentages on journeyman wages. By the time you're a 4th/5th year apprentice, you're making 80% of what a journeyman makes. If you pay attention in class, you will probably pass the state test with flying colors, and you'll almost be guaranteed a decent paying job for life, although obviously not high class work.
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On November 30 2011 07:05 Sm3agol wrote:Show nested quote +On November 30 2011 06:11 Fruscainte wrote:On November 30 2011 05:18 Sm3agol wrote:
Don't be a welder, their job sucks balls.
I went the trade school route, as an electrician, and it has worked out just fine for me. I went to school for four years, all while working full time, and getting paid. The classes were free, I just had to pay for books. At the end of 4 years I passed the supposedly hard state license test ezpz with a 96, and now have a job as an journeyman electrician making decent pay, while having exactly zero school debt. And because they put you to work right off the bat making decent money, I actually finished school with a lot of money saved up. Yeah, that's my main thing I'm thinking right now. Almost no debt, if any at all. Along with ridiculous job security and pay from the help of Unions and whatnot. Now, did you go to like a State College for your education in the States, or did you go to a specific Vocational School, or what? Just curious for how you went about it. I'm in the union down in Jacksonville, LU177. The apprenticeship runs through it, and the union contractors support the school. All you have to do is apply at the school, which is a separate entity, a trade school only. From there, depending on how much work there is, you either get picked up instantly or you have a wait a little while. If/When you get accepted, you get a job with a local contractor, and you start your free classes. Pay is in percentages on journeyman wages. By the time you're a 4th/5th year apprentice, you're making 80% of what a journeyman makes. If you pay attention in class, you will probably pass the state test with flying colors, and you'll almost be guaranteed a decent paying job for life, although obviously not high class work.
So would I contact whatever local union office where I'm moving to and I go to their school, start doing school shit, start apprenticeship, and 4-5 years in I become a Journeyman and I'm set?
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EPT
