Welders, good ones, have been in high demand for ever. I worked in a process industry that supplied pipeline gases and skilled welders are worth their weight in gold.
On the plus side, you seem to be making a decent wage. That may vary depending on the economics in your area, but it’d be pretty good in my area. You’re still young, so that’s in your favor. Obviously smart/trainable. Gotta start with the “If you could do anything regardless of income, what would you do?” Do something you enjoy, or at least don’t hate. You don’t have to love it.
Do some job searches and see what catches your eye. There are a million things I don’t know and are none of my business, but I hope this helps a little. Congrats on the growing family! Put them (especially wife) first whichever way you choose!
If I wasn’t running a tech company this is what I would do - and I’ve thought long and hard about this:
Learn a trade. I tiled my entire house so I would chose that cause it’s enjoyable and easy to learn. You can also charge $80-130/hr.
Start a small business doing it. Use Nextdoor, Craigslist, and even door to door to start getting sales.
THE KEY: be diligent, make an effort to call clients back, and put your customers first! I’ve remodeled many homes and the number 1 issue I have is lazy or inconsiderate contractors. If you did this you would be wildly successful. I’ve talked to many peers about it and they all experience the same thing. People will refer you, pay you well, and use you again. Then hire a few employees and stress that if those three things listed above aren’t done with every customer, they’re gone.
You’ll make a killing. Trust me. Once I’m out of the tech world I’ll be doing that.
What are your debts like? 25/hr is good in some areas and piss poor in others. Depending on the cost of living in your area and your amount of debt to income, advice that may actually help you can vary.
There are a lot of variables here--how long have you been at the current job? Are you willing to relocate for a job/lower cost of living? Is the move urgent or something that can wait until after the child's birth and settling in?
What can I do to better provide for my family and have a career with growth?
The real answer is: whatever you have to do to provide for your family, you do. (You already probably know this and will honor the responsibilities you have).
In more practical terms, for the short term, might need to pick two of three: pay, schedule, or growth. If find something that fits all three, that's a grand-slam (but might be less likely).
In the short term and only for the short term, find something that's stable pay and good schedule and, then: build your skill set, sharpen what the long-term options you're looking for, and try to find an opportunity to build some passive income.
There are some trade options that might fit.
It's like this -- be realistic now, but have a plan for the next year and next 3 years (and both of those should drive towards where you want to be when you're 49).
Many hospitals offer programs that help pay for the cost of additional education.
I don’t know the size of your hospital organization, mine employs about 5500 people, one of the best ways to move up in pay is to switch departments every 2-3 years. Look in areas like ops, management, IT, HR, or supply chain these non-clinical areas often have less specific requirements for hiring. As you have a bachelors, you are pretty much qualified to work in every one of those areas with many positions affording you time to learn your role as you work.
Attitude is everything, sell yourself in interviews, smile, be confident, say people’s names, eye contact with speakers, shared eye contact with group while speaking, and, once this covid nonsense is over, firm handshake.
And I just gotta say it, God does have a plan for you brother, trust in that. Get out there and kick some ass.
Have you looked here;
https://www.usajobs.gov
We need more good guys working in the federal government.
Learning a trade is always a good idea
I agree I think the welding area is taking off
Welders, good ones, have been in high demand for ever. I worked in a process industry that supplied pipeline gases and skilled welders are worth their weight in gold.
On the plus side, you seem to be making a decent wage. That may vary depending on the economics in your area, but it’d be pretty good in my area. You’re still young, so that’s in your favor. Obviously smart/trainable. Gotta start with the “If you could do anything regardless of income, what would you do?” Do something you enjoy, or at least don’t hate. You don’t have to love it.
Do some job searches and see what catches your eye. There are a million things I don’t know and are none of my business, but I hope this helps a little. Congrats on the growing family! Put them (especially wife) first whichever way you choose!
What part of the country are you in? A trade is a good way to go.
If I wasn’t running a tech company this is what I would do - and I’ve thought long and hard about this:
Learn a trade. I tiled my entire house so I would chose that cause it’s enjoyable and easy to learn. You can also charge $80-130/hr.
Start a small business doing it. Use Nextdoor, Craigslist, and even door to door to start getting sales.
THE KEY: be diligent, make an effort to call clients back, and put your customers first! I’ve remodeled many homes and the number 1 issue I have is lazy or inconsiderate contractors. If you did this you would be wildly successful. I’ve talked to many peers about it and they all experience the same thing. People will refer you, pay you well, and use you again. Then hire a few employees and stress that if those three things listed above aren’t done with every customer, they’re gone.
You’ll make a killing. Trust me. Once I’m out of the tech world I’ll be doing that.
It's an old book, but still has good advice. Read "What Color Is Your Parachute". Particularly useful for changing directions in your career.
What are your debts like? 25/hr is good in some areas and piss poor in others. Depending on the cost of living in your area and your amount of debt to income, advice that may actually help you can vary.
There are a lot of variables here--how long have you been at the current job? Are you willing to relocate for a job/lower cost of living? Is the move urgent or something that can wait until after the child's birth and settling in?
The real answer is: whatever you have to do to provide for your family, you do. (You already probably know this and will honor the responsibilities you have).
In more practical terms, for the short term, might need to pick two of three: pay, schedule, or growth. If find something that fits all three, that's a grand-slam (but might be less likely).
In the short term and only for the short term, find something that's stable pay and good schedule and, then: build your skill set, sharpen what the long-term options you're looking for, and try to find an opportunity to build some passive income.
There are some trade options that might fit.
It's like this -- be realistic now, but have a plan for the next year and next 3 years (and both of those should drive towards where you want to be when you're 49).
Good luck, Pede.
Many hospitals offer programs that help pay for the cost of additional education.
I don’t know the size of your hospital organization, mine employs about 5500 people, one of the best ways to move up in pay is to switch departments every 2-3 years. Look in areas like ops, management, IT, HR, or supply chain these non-clinical areas often have less specific requirements for hiring. As you have a bachelors, you are pretty much qualified to work in every one of those areas with many positions affording you time to learn your role as you work.
Attitude is everything, sell yourself in interviews, smile, be confident, say people’s names, eye contact with speakers, shared eye contact with group while speaking, and, once this covid nonsense is over, firm handshake.
And I just gotta say it, God does have a plan for you brother, trust in that. Get out there and kick some ass.