Topic: How can one have a stable career? (Read 1341 times)

Term · « **on:** March 02, 2011, 08:59:14 PM »

This has been a hard question for me for years (and some of my passion in Cell's Edumacation thread reflected that. Sorry if I was a jerk.) If corporations gravitate towards cheap labor and so much of what we do can be replaced by machines (no pun intended) or outsourced overseas, how can one plan for a career that will still be around in 20 years? In your 20s, there's so much time and you can completely screw everything up and still do fine. (Spoken from experience.) Late 30's-40's and with a kid, things go wrong and you and the people you care about are SOL.

Part of my answer comes back to emotional intelligence/leadership, which transcends specific occupations. However, I'm still anxious on this stuff to the point I'm a workaholic and its keeps me up some nights. Another answer for me has been liquid, where I simply care less about such questions. However, I consider Floasians (not talking just about Joon) to be some of the most insightful, introspective people I know, so I hope you've got something on this one too.

T

(Uncertainty can propel you right up until the moment it controls you.)

Derailer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:11:24 AM »

Seriously it just takes flexibility and a willingness to do something you don't want to do. Think about how many thing people need that cost money. Go to an area where the need is greatest and bank.

Air conditioning repair in south texas
Taco cart in southern California
Energy efficiency specialist in Michigan
Staffing Agency in Michigan
Ammunition and eye patch outlet in Somalia.

Another way to go is to look at laws and see what people need by law

Every building that is built must have by law

Fire exit devices that meet code
Insulation
so many windows per square foot

There are so many thing people must have... exploit those. I am not saying get the crappy jobs. Start new companies pin pointing the weaknesses of existing companies. Shoot for the high positions in the existing companies.

It all goes back to be flexible and open though.

ginseng · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:24:16 PM »

You could go medical.... medical jobs will evolve, people will always be sick.. or do taxes. :)

Relic · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:10:35 AM »

Keep up with the changes, become adpatable to your profession, always learn new skills, have a solid work history and dont ever do anything that could be considered misconduct (something that would get you terminated immediately: fighting, threatening, lying, violating policy, etc).

I refresh my resume every 6 months. Not to start looking elsewhere but to gauge if my skills are improving and if I warrant more accountability, responsibility and especially $. If its plateaued its probably time to look elsewhere.

LPEric · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2011, 04:36:56 PM »

Network/Cyber security a huge field that will in the foreseeable future need trained professional at the helm.

I used my 20's for self discovery, and had to switch careers at 30.

I work in the IT field and i can tell you the US government pays out the ass for trained security professionals.

E

Falsify · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2011, 06:30:31 PM »

Quote from: LPEric on March 11, 2011, 04:36:56 PM

I work in the IT field and i can tell you the US government pays out the ass for trained security professionals.

Great suggestion. I work in the Telecom/IT field and there are always positions opening up in the private sector as well. The government RUS and stimulus stuff is finally reaching the private sector and they are going to have deep pockets for the next 5-10 years. The company I work for just got 20+ million (small company) to install fiber to a couple of sparsely populated counties. Is it a big waste of government money? Yes. But it does open up jobs.

Term · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2011, 08:54:46 PM »

Appreciating the insights here. From Derailer's insights on not being blinded by geographic elitism, Ginseng on the medical field, Relic on always evolving, and LPE/Falsify talking about how the government can efficiently motivate people to do what and be where it needs, that all actually overlaps with life and career choices I'm facing right now. (Going IT can't be a part of that choice- you guys are all way too far ahead of me there...) Thank you all and I'd appreciate any other insights anyone else may have. Figuring out how to get right the activity for which you will spend half your waking hours takes some thought...

T

(Maybe I should just start up Cyberdyne Systems...)

l337 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2011, 01:52:28 PM »

find something your good at already and looks for jobs in that. like everyone said tech jobs are going to keep increasing.

if you like cars, do mechanic stuff (get trained at some kind of school, usually dont have very long programs). These jobs can pay well if your good; most car places overprice everything

tons of other vocational schools out there to give a decent wage.

if you want bank, your going to have to either be good at business investments or something or invent w/e... point is your going to have to get VERY educated for a high salary, dont know what your preferences on that are.

.Celltick. · « **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2011, 10:14:29 AM »

Quote from: Term on March 12, 2011, 08:54:46 PM

(Going IT can't be a part of that choice- you guys are all way too far ahead of me there...)

I think having access to people who have knowledge in the field is a possible resource not a reason to exclude it as an option ..... for me IT was a no go because I don't enjoy working with any type of residential customer ..... I don't have the patience

I judged my personal skills and weaknesses in making my decision .. ... I had doubt for a second about starting over in my thirties ..... then I heard a 'lil voice say 'challenge accepted' and the choice was made ..... night school was started for guys like us ..... students and heads of household ...... it's work but what isn't?

My uncle gave me the best advice .... he said make my career my hobby .... he's been a programmer at the same company for 20+ years ..... he also said to make sure I stay current on the languages ..... he's seen degrees wasted because people thought they didn't have to continue learning once they got them ..... education is not always starting over .... it's also staying current ..... leadership and work ethic are key but I'm now seeing that having the answers is just as valuable

Quote from: Term on March 12, 2011, 08:54:46 PM

(Maybe I should just start up Cyberdyne Systems...)

I would LOVE to join a tech start -up ..... I'll be ready in 2 years....hold me a spot :D

.Celltick. · « **Reply #9 on:** May 14, 2011, 10:16:11 AM »

I've also heard the solar panel industry is taking off with no signs of slowing down...if you're interested in that .... I saw a certificate program that was only one month long somewhere

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Author Topic: How can one have a stable career? (Read 1341 times)

Term

How can one have a stable career?

Derailer

Re: How can one have a stable career?

ginseng

Re: How can one have a stable career?

Relic

Re: How can one have a stable career?

LPEric

Re: How can one have a stable career?

Falsify

Re: How can one have a stable career?

Term

Re: How can one have a stable career?

l337

Re: How can one have a stable career?

.Celltick.

Re: How can one have a stable career?

.Celltick.

Re: How can one have a stable career?