So what do you do for a living?

[WayFast84]

Im having a problem figuring out what I want to do in life in 2 years ill be out of high school, so I figure I need to start finding out some cool jobs and get more info on them..

[Untamed]

I thought you were planning on a Vo Tech?

Honestly Matt, I still think your best bet is to get your 4 yr degree at an acredited college, majoring in something that has to do what your career choice, then get a job and take side courses at a local community college. The 4 yr degree will go a lot farther, and give you the best chances for higher pay, in both short and long run. It really is your best bet.

[WayFast84]

i am gonna do that, but probably go to middle sex for two years then some where else, im not sure what I want to do, and I dont want to have a unstable jobs.

Im looking for a career with good benifits that make between 75-115,000 a year, Im just having the problem finding a career that intrests me, that I can make that. Id also want to know what id have to major in etc etc.

[Dark_Knight7096]

+1, get a 4 yr degree


Oh, and to answer the original question, I work as a consultant for Verizon Telecommunications and I get paid an obscene amount for it and that's because of my degree. I could have still gotten the job without the degree but I'd be getting paid half of what I am now though.

[Dark_Knight7096]

i am gonna do that, but probably go to middle sex for two years then some where else, im not sure what I want to do, and I dont want to have a unstable jobs.

Im looking for a career with good benifits that make between 75-115,000 a year, Im just having the problem finding a career that intrests me, that I can make that. Id also want to know what id have to major in etc etc.

Seriously, you won't find it. Most jobs start around mid 30s unless you get in somewhere really good. I really don't think you're going to find much that is stable, with good benefits and pays that. I have a friend with a 2yr degree who is a plumber and makes about 45-55K.

Don't feel bad, I was the same way in highschool/college. I thought there were a lotta great jobs out there that paid well but then I got a huge dose of reality. Research the job market a little better or you are in for a disappointment man.

[WayFast84]

i dont mean starting pay though im talking about towards the end or my career, I guess I just dont want to be a direct tv installer by day pizza dilvery guy by night, you know?

[SpeedMetalT/A]

If you were thinking of going with vo-tech its a good idea.I'm in a school to work program right now through vo-tech and I work at a buick pontiac gmc dealership.There's also schools around here that have 2 year auto programs like Brookdale.They have a few different manufacturer specific programs to choose from, Ill probably be going to the GM program next year or take classes offered through my dealership.

[WayFast84]

ive talked to bonzo hansen, and hes told me that you can make real good money even at good year if you are a good tech, mechanic was my first choice, but Ive had a few people tell me to stay away from it, while i enjoy it as my hobby, i dont know if the money would be worth it..

[Brando56894]

i dont do a damn thing :lol:

[Bandit]

Own my own business.. make money then spend it just as fast..lol

[unstable bob gable]

I work at NJ Transit Rail Operations with a lot of guys who got burned out working as automotive techs. My one buddy used to run a gas station/repair shop, and he tells me he has never been happier since he got rid of all the responsibilities and came to work for NJT.

[jimmyboy8301]

i have my associates in criminal justice and am a state corrections officer aka cop.

[bitchincamaro]

i was in a body shop for two years, it was cool, but left to go back to school. i went last year full time at a community college. i took this semester off, it didn't start out that way, but came back from a long trip a few days b/f the semester and really wasn't ready for it. so i cut my losses and am now just working on a vineyard about 30 hours (pretty awesome money) a week and landscaping the rest of the time. i am not sure what i want to do yet either. i knew i wasn't ready for college right after high school. i took advantage of the time and travelled and just did whatever i wanted. i am undecided if i am going back next semester or will be getting a real job. it kind of bums me out thinking about it.

[misterjuice]

I also agree on getting a bachelor's degree....a lot more opportunities.

as for me. I'm a customer service team leader for Mercedes-Benz corporate office. I have a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

[Slow 88]

I am a welder/fabricator but I wish I would have just went to school so I could have landed a kush kush job lol....But, don't get me wrong I make out pretty good.....


Hey, Bitchincamaro I saw you yesterday going thru Westmont rockin' the maro sounded pretty good...

[Fast92RS]

I went to MCC college for the ford program then worked at a ford dealer for a couple years as a tech then I took the test for firefighter. Got the job and was the best decision I ever made.

[nj85z28]

Electrician....it pays ok

[johnjzjz]

ive talked to bonzo hansen, and hes told me that you can make real good money even at good year if you are a good tech, mechanic was my first choice, but Ive had a few people tell me to stay away from it, while i enjoy it as my hobby, i don't know if the money would be worth it..



garage mechanic is a job some make 100 thousand plus all the Bennie's --- but from 20 to 45 years old is all most can take --- climing around on cold floors and twisting you body in funny shapes is not fun after 40 not to mention being dirty and smelly every day --- great to know as a hobby for stuff you want to own -- now look at real jobs ---- jz

[BonzoHansen]

Remember this: No job is stable.

[Ian]

I'm an auto tech at a chrysler/jeep dealership. I guess its an okay job. I dont know if I want to do this for the rest of my life, but I'm kinda stuck with it. I didn't go to college, so I dont have a degree to fall back on. but I also look at it as I didn't waste huge amounts of money going to college and being bored out of my mind and not going to half the classes :lol: . If you do end up becoming a mechanic, try as hard as you can to get into a upper end company like BMW or MB, they pay the most and 99% of the cars that go through their dealerships are very new so you wouldn't have to work on 20 year old junk like I do sometimes.

[misterjuice]

. If you do end up becoming a mechanic, try as hard as you can to get into a upper end company like BMW or MB, they pay the most and 99% of the cars that go through their dealerships are very new so you wouldn't have to work on 20 year old junk like I do sometimes.


Good point Ian.

[BonzoHansen]

And WF, remember what else I told you about high paid dealer techs - they are smart, are educated in their products, and most importantly they bust their hump. When I lost my best tech to a Jeep dealer, he learned their auto trannies top to bottom - they sent him to classes on it. And since Jeeps transmissions suck, he got lots of practice and became the go-to guy for trans work. He was billing 80 hours a week in a ~40 hour work week. But he could bust it out. That is why he was my best guy too. Hustle & brains. Service writers know who makes them money too. More work in & out, they make more $$ too.

I still think if you want to work on cars, vo-tech is the way to go, then get a dealer gig and get OE training (not places like Goodyear, etc.). Cars are getting more complicated all the time. Dealers will not run out of work anytime soon.

Your HS grades are paramount now. Screwing up in HS and/or college can bite you later. You can makes career plan alterations down the road – you cannot repeat HS.

[JL8Jeff]

I've been database programming for 20 years if you include some of the college co-op jobs I had. I have a BS in Computer Science. I found it a challenging field that was just starting to develop when I was in high school and I still find it a challenge today because the languages/tools/date continue to change. I think I got lucky finding something I enjoy doing right out of high school. Most of my friends had no idea what they wanted to do and drifted through college. I don't mind working on my own cars, but I would never want to be a full time mechanic.

[bitchincamaro]

Hey, Bitchincamaro I saw you yesterday going thru Westmont rockin' the maro sounded pretty good...

thanks, its been my daily driver for the last week, my trucks been down since i got busted at a mobile dmv. i got screwed.

[79CamaroDiva]

if i could re start college with what i know now, i would get a degree in business. I had no idea how many doors that opened to people until i was about 3 years into school. One of my best friends got into Picatinny Arsenal with his bachelors, they then proceeded to pay for his double masters completely, on top of his already rediculous salary. Government jobs are great ways to start out of college, and a lot of the good paying ones require a business degree. It sounds boring, but its a big pay off.

[NJSPEEDER]

i woudl suggest worrying less about job stability or salary than what you think will make you happy.
i have a business/finance degree that i got because i thought it would be a great way to make money. once i got out in business career fields i realized it wasn't the place for me.
i am sure there are many careers i coudl have followed that would make me more money, but there is no way to promise that more money will make you happier. i get more gratification out of one day of physical labor than i got out of the entire 6 years i worked in offices doing the accounting/cost control work taht my degree set me up for.
the other unfortunate side effect of life decisions is that you don't know how they are goign to work out until after they are made. so don't try to pick one thing that you will absolutely do for the rest of your life, because life changes and you will always have to change with it.

[79CamaroDiva]

i woudl suggest worrying less about job stability or salary than what you think will make you happy.
i have a business/finance degree that i got because i thought it would be a great way to make money. once i got out in business career fields i realized it wasn't the place for me.
i am sure there are many careers i coudl have followed that would make me more money, but there is no way to promise that more money will make you happier. i get more gratification out of one day of physical labor than i got out of the entire 6 years i worked in offices doing the accounting/cost control work taht my degree set me up for.
the other unfortunate side effect of life decisions is that you don't know how they are goign to work out until after they are made. so don't try to pick one thing that you will absolutely do for the rest of your life, because life changes and you will always have to change with it.

:stupid:

the real question here should be "who actually does with their degree what they thought they would?" so far i think jimmy might be the only one. boon sure isnt using that bio degree at MB.

[ShitOnWheels]

i woudl suggest worrying less about job stability or salary than what you think will make you happy.
i have a business/finance degree that i got because i thought it would be a great way to make money. once i got out in business career fields i realized it wasn't the place for me.
i am sure there are many careers i coudl have followed that would make me more money, but there is no way to promise that more money will make you happier. i get more gratification out of one day of physical labor than i got out of the entire 6 years i worked in offices doing the accounting/cost control work taht my degree set me up for.
the other unfortunate side effect of life decisions is that you don't know how they are goign to work out until after they are made. so don't try to pick one thing that you will absolutely do for the rest of your life, because life changes and you will always have to change with it.
Yep. True in every respect.

FOr example...in HS I wanted to be a teacher, then I took a psychology course and wanted to be a child psychologist specializing in ADHD. I also wanted to do computer programming (I figured I could make good money programming while going back for my masters/PhD in psych, and then do that for the rest of my life). Comp Sci was difficult because of all of the math, so I dropped it. Figured I'd do psych all my life. Graduated with a BA in psych, minor in philosophy (something I had no interest in until taking a general requirement course) and did social work...couldn't stand it. So I got my current job as a teacher's aide for special ed working with kids with autism. Now I"m in grad school for school psych, but I'm thinking of stopping and doing teaching for a few years, then finish my school psych program. And now I want to specialize in autism.

In just 7 years, that's how many changes I've gone through. For some they know right away...for others, they don't have a clue until they are retired or near retirement.

Your best bet, honestly, is to go to college and take a lot of survey courses (sociology, psych, philosophy, buisness, computers etc etc) and see what interests you the most. Take a higher level course the next semester. By your second or third year you'll have finished most of your general education requirements with all the survey courses, you can focus on what interests you the most. It's really the best way to really figure out what you want to do.

And if, after your graduate and get a job and you find you don't really like it as a career, it is not all that difficult to get a graduate degree in something else despite not having the background from undergrad. I know of ppl in my school psych program who came from comp sci, law school, business and random other areas and are now in a school psych program. It may not be true for all areas (hard sciences often want a heavy undergrad background), but for many, you could do it.

There is no rush right now to figure out what you want to do. Hell, if you really want to research now tho, go see if you can take a night class at the local community college, and take some survey courses. Many HSs will give credit if you go that route as well.

[qwikz28]

i think the biggest mistake i made was worrying about undergrad. undergrad is about as useful as a high school degree was a couple decades ago. its all about grad school nowadays.

[firehawk1120]

Just as an fyi while you were in school if you decide to go that route you can get a real estate license as long as you are over 18. During the time you are in school you can make a little extra loot if you have friends parents or something looking to sell their homes. You can also luck out and just meet people looking to buy a home. Even if you don't actively sell you can just do referrals with an agent in your area and still earn 30% of a commission check.

[chevyt454]

True. Do what makes you happy. Work is torture if you don't like what you're doing no matter how much you make. On the other hand nowadays you must go to school in order to make some decent money. I work for the local sheriff's department but I would love to own my own car dealership.

[Bandit]

:stupid:

the real question here should be "who actually does with their degree what they thought they would?" so far i think jimmy might be the only one. boon sure isnt using that bio degree at MB.

Kim has a degree in sports med, also went to Chubb for IT school years ago. Now she is Mgt of R&D of Loreal.

Nothing to due with her degree, she is almost done with her Masters in Business Mgt.

[CamaroGirlie]

I have a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Mathematics, and I'm back in school now for my Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education. I'v been Assistant Director and Pre-k teacher at a Preschool for six years and make $35,000 per year. Not very impressive and has nothing to do with my degree. But I do plan on heading to Law School next year. I definately do suggest a 4 year college though.

[deadtrend1]

I was going to school for computer science, but walked out one class not enjoying what I was doing and never went back.

Now I work at a union sign company, and moonlight selling drugs ... ....... j/k

[NJSPEEDER]

is that selling or using the drugs timmy? :p

[baddest434]

i work for a nursery installing plants in corporate offices , malls and such.

[misterjuice]

sure i'm using my Biology degree at my job.....................I evaluate the anatomy of my co-workers :) then I analyze their body liquids and eventually I escape their house/apartment via osmosis when their parents or significant other get home.

lol

[jin1481]

im a marine computer networking specialist, i set up windows networks to provide internet and email services. i love the field and ive gotten top of the line trainin for free thanks the marines. im not suggesting the marines but its a good way to learn a trade, get experience, and grow up. it aint easy though. the marines will also pay 100% tution for 12 credits a year, ive been in for three years and have around 35 credits that i have never paid for.

[Mike]

:stupid:

the real question here should be "who actually does with their degree what they thought they would?" so far i think jimmy might be the only one. boon sure isnt using that bio degree at MB.


i have a cj degree.....

[BonzoHansen]

I do. I have a BS in Management & and MBA. I am a business systems analyst and project manager. I do the business end (specs, project planning, test coordination) and then work with programmer/technical (like Jeff).

Before that I managed an STS.

[Knipps]

Im currently in Mass. school of Pharmacy
its 6 years of school but..
i finish with a doctorate &
currently the demand is so great that companies will pay off my student loans, give me a huge signing bonus and make 100k a year right out of school

my roommates were talking about the demand in some places [Alaska] where the demand is so insane they offer up to 300%

[ChickenLittle]

Firefighter, 15th year in...hate working in offices, just ain't for me...almost got certified as a cop working with the arson squad, but I had a motorcycle accident that keeps me from running....got bounced out of DCJ Academy...but that's another story.

but that's ok, #7 on the captain's list with 2 years left to go and about 12 more guys slated to leave in that time. also do bodyguard work and plain clothes store security (licensed to carry)...

I love both jobs, not gonna get rich doing them (about 100~110k a year between the 2) but I ain't poor either, lol.

bottom line is like some of the others said....it's all in what's good for you. you don't wanna great job (to some) that makes you miserable, but you don't wanna starve, either. I've been working for 22 years and there was a time when you only needed a HSD or GED to land a good job with a big company or public service to live comfortably. Times have changed...now, you need more. I would say give yourself the option of doing whatever you want to do and get as much education as possible. vo-tech is a good idea to learn a skill...I regret not finishing Lincoln Tech. If you have your 4-year, that also leaves a door open in the corporate world for you to go that route if you decide you don't want to get your hands dirty, yanno?

either way, good luck with whatever path(s) you choose to travel.:mrgreen:

[hardline_42]

Hey WayFast, I'm gonna have to agree with Bonzo's a post on the previous page and say that you need to focus on keeping the grades up in HS right now. I was a slacker in HS (I got by on my test taking skills but I never did any work or studying) and it took me 6 years to get my degree in architecture. Not to mention that I lost my scholarship after my second semester because I had crappy study habits and time management issues, which led me to have to pay for all of my schooling from that point on. My little bro, on the other hand, didn't do so well on his SATs but still graduated at the top of his class and now his college tuition is paid all the way through. Plus he's majoring in mechanical engineering which opens the door to all kinds of applications (including automotive). In hindsight, I would have to say that college doesn't do a whole lot to prepare you for your career (only experience will make you proficient at what you do) but it opens the doors to a lot more opportunities and much higher salaries. And, in response to your original qestions, I'm a project coordinator at an architectural firm in AC that does the design work for most of the casinos down here.

[camaroracer1992]

network administrator here, i make out ok i guess

[misterjuice]

oh yeah....I also whore myself out on the side.....quick cash ;) the code name is Slut Puppy

[Untamed]

Account Manager / Project Manager here for a software company. Make a good salary but looking to move to southern NJ or out of state, so currently on the job hunt.

[Teds89IROC]

sure i'm using my Biology degree at my job.....................I evaluate the anatomy of my co-workers :) then I analyze their body liquids and eventually I escape their house/apartment via osmosis when their parents or significant other get home.

lol

:funny: As for me I worked full time over the summer and now part time at an auto body shop (1RawTA's family's place) and I go to Willy P full time working towards a degree in accounting.

[WayFast84]

cool, thanks for keeping it civil.

I would like to be a firefighter, my cusins where firefighters(vol.) body shop would be cool to, but i dont want to risk my health..

Id like to be a teacher..

maybe i can go in for social studys and automotive teaching degrees? and then work at a shop durring the summer or somethin..

[Lt1_8U]

Criminal justice..thats what im gunna do...nicer start out salary, sick pension, and you get crazy raises 8-) plus u can do what you want pretty much :mrgreen: lolol

[Teds89IROC]

eh depends what you do at a body shop and the size of it. I assemble/disassemble cars, so I'm not around the paint/bondo/primer etc. For a profession in auto body you could specialize in frame work/welding and stuff like that.

[Tsar]

cool, thanks for keeping it civil.

I would like to be a firefighter, my cusins where firefighters(vol.) body shop would be cool to, but i dont want to risk my health..


:scratch:

[WayFast84]

:scratch:
makes perfect sence, I would like to be a firefighter, but I dont want to risk my health....

do i need to explain more?

[Tsar]

makes perfect sence, I would like to be a firefighter, but I dont want to risk my health....

do i need to explain more?
you risk more then your health if you become a firefighter on day-to-day basis. tell me you're not that stupid.

[IROCdan330]

in 5 weeks ill be graduating UTI with their training and 11 ford crudentials (it normally takes a ford tech 5-10 years to receive the crudentials and training i've received here, so I could go work for Ford)however January 8th i will begin my training in Orlando in the Mercedes-Benz Elite program...and when I get done they will set me up with interviews at a few dealers close to home, or wherever I choose I want to live. I really cannot wait to be out working full-time with Mercedes.

I personally cannot justify going through with a 4 year degree unless you've got your mind set on something specific. I encounter many people on a daily basis who have a bachelor's degree in one field or another, but are working in something totally different making less money than they deserve. Granted, a lot of people turn out to be successful with their degree and it is definitely a solid foundation for making money, but if you don't find the right job, it could turn out not to your liking. I say do what makes you happy, that way regardless of what you make you can look forward to going to work each day.

[WayFast84]

you risk more then your health if you become a firefighter on day-to-day basis. tell me you're not that stupid.
i said but. that usually means a contrast..

I can want to be a firefighter for a reason and not want to be a firefighter for health reasons..

while yeah, im not scared of fire, and would probably make a hell of a firefighter, I wouldnt be able to think that if something happened to me while on the job, how would my family be? you know?

[Untamed]

i said but. that usually means a contrast..

I can want to be a firefighter for a reason and not want to be a firefighter for health reasons..

while yeah, im not scared of fire, and would probably make a hell of a firefighter, I wouldnt be able to think that if something happened to me while on the job, how would my family be? you know?

Wayfast, perhaps before you go to college, you should join the military. They will pay you to learn a new trade, give you clothing, a place to stay and food to eat three times a day. You don't even have to accept a combat arms position either - choose a desk job or mechanics position or something. I honestly think this may be a good first step for you.

And if, God forbid, something does happen to you, your family will be covered.

Once you complete a few years of the military you can either go to school at that time, or if you had time while in, finish up whatever you started while in the military. There is no race to finish school and get a job. Get the skills and experience you can really use, while you have the chance, then jump into a career, get married, family, and so on. I know its tough at your age to see all this, and we all have probably heard the same thing when we were young, but honestly - don't worry about focusing on a career just yet. Graduate High School (and try to do a better job with your spelling), then go to college or the military. Keep career ideas in mind, but dont get hung up on them, making you miss other opportunities.

Go Army! Hua!

[BonzoHansen]

I'm not adverse to that theory.

Edit; But I'd probably lean Navy or AF. Not really sure why. Jet planes, I guess. :)

[slayerxxx213]

Well, right now I'm at Brookdale taking the GM automotive program but on a typical day I probably ask myself every 5 minutes whether or not it was a good idea...My original plan was to go to NJIT and take Mech engineering but do to many reasons I decided against and now I'm not so sure that was a very smart decision...Right now I'm not really sure what I should do...I'm sort of regretting not going to a 4 year school...On the other hand though I could be asked the same question tomorrow and I'd give a completely different response...

[WayFast84]

Wayfast, perhaps before you go to college, you should join the military. They will pay you to learn a new trade, give you clothing, a place to stay and food to eat three times a day. You don't even have to accept a combat arms position either - choose a desk job or mechanics position or something. I honestly think this may be a good first step for you.

And if, God forbid, something does happen to you, your family will be covered.

Once you complete a few years of the military you can either go to school at that time, or if you had time while in, finish up whatever you started while in the military. There is no race to finish school and get a job. Get the skills and experience you can really use, while you have the chance, then jump into a career, get married, family, and so on. I know its tough at your age to see all this, and we all have probably heard the same thing when we were young, but honestly - don't worry about focusing on a career just yet. Graduate High School (and try to do a better job with your spelling), then go to college or the military. Keep career ideas in mind, but dont get hung up on them, making you miss other opportunities.

Go Army! Hua!
navy accelerate your life! :nod:

[Little G]

I work in a sweat shop.

g

[Savage_Messiah]

I work in a sweat shop.

g

Yea, they mistook you for a 12 year old and hired you right? :lol:

[69RSZ]

I make BEER!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/Budbrewer1/PA220010.jpg

[Tsar]

I make BEER!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/Budbrewer1/PA220010.jpg
i think we could be good friends.

[Knipps]

I make BEER!
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/Budbrewer1/PA220010.jpg

God...?

[98tadriver]

im an apprentice in the carpenters union, local 121 vineland, nj. ive been in for 2 1/2 years and im making 26.79/hr and every 6 months i get a 10% increase. its a 4 year apprenticeship and when i complete that, ill be @ 35.72/hr or 1400+ a week, or $70,000+ year-- Not bad considering i dont need a college education lol. but i love construction and love being outdoors, so it will vary on what you wanna do. If i didnt join the union, i know i would still be making 10/hr non union and i definately wouldnt have my T/A

[WayFast84]

im an apprentice in the carpenters union, local 121 vineland, nj. ive been in for 2 1/2 years and im making 26.79/hr and every 6 months i get a 10% increase. its a 4 year apprenticeship and when i complete that, ill be @ 35.72/hr or 1400+ a week, or $70,000+ year-- Not bad considering i dont need a college education lol. but i love construction and love being outdoors, so it will vary on what you wanna do. If i didnt join the union, i know i would still be making 10/hr non union and i definately wouldnt have my T/A
:shock: i always said I would never want to be a carpentor, but that sounds great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

edit,

I was intrested in being a bmw tech, and some one sugested it here, I saw a commercial for becoming one, i think it was lincoln tech, what do you think?

[angin52]

i sell propane and propane accesories(really)

[trashman01]

Im a Part-Time Automotive Tech, Part-Time Car Restorer, Part-time body man. and thats all at the same place lol

[Savage_Messiah]

i sell propane and propane accesories(really)

Cann I call you Hank?? :lol: j/k

[Scorched SS]

Mild Mannered Art Director at an Advertising Agency by day...... :shifty:

[Fleetwiz]

Management