Getting a new job... (venting a little)

Getting a new job... (venting a little)

Well it's about time I do something about my financial situation!
I've been doing vinyl graphics for 4 years, and laser engraving for the past year and a half. I make $10.25 /hr. We do get payed vacation, and days off. The owners try to treat the employees to things whenever they can, which is awesome. They're real helpful too.

But lately I've been going crazy making that amount per hour and doing sales, managing, graphic arts, and production for two separate fields of work. The business structure is lacking there, which is revealed in my title. Vinyl graphics and Laser engraving department manager, graphic designer, salesperson, producer, all around electronic repair and building maintainence handyman.

I just can't hack it anymore. I'm in the middle of building a house that we can't afford on our current salaries. If we want to keep it I've gotta do something to make more money. We aren't living comfortably as it is now. I love vinyl graphics, but I don't believe I could ever be happy or make enough money in that field by working for someone else and doing it "their way". I would like to have my own business one day. I just gotta make some cash and get the house done so we can live in it and grow.

I don't think my boss or the company can really afford to keep me there.
Thats really too bad for them. Soooo.... I looked around for jobs that made good money. Auto sales was really tempting. Lithia gauranteed $3k a month for the first 6 months of training! Thats about 3x what I make now. Sounds good eh? Yeah, they said I can make anywhere from 60k to 100k a year. SWEET! Well, you also have to work 60-80 hours a week. I've got to have free time. I have to spend time with my girl and talk to family on the phone, make music, play with the car, etc... Then I looked into IBEW (international brotherhood of electrical workers). I like doing electrical, I do it at work fixing and installing stuff for them and at the house we're building. Apprentices start out at $15.83/hr with the best benefits in the nation totally separate from your salary! In 4 to 5 years you become a Journeyman Electrician and you make about $32/hr! 40 to 60 hours a week.

So, car sales or IBEW?
Believe it or not, I did the math, and you make more money per hour at IBEW (Journeyman) than selling cars. IBEW is way better because you work normal hours and have better benefits.

I've applied for IBEW. Now I have to take an online course for electrical trade math. After that I can be interviewed! So it's a big step, but I think I'm making a good decision. I could afford to buy my own vinyl cutter and sell decals online in my spare time!

Oh yeah, and I can move to almost anywhere and find work through IBEW!

Wish me luck!

wow..that was a lot to say...all i can say to this is...GOOD LUCK!!

yeah man, being an electrician is good stuff. my dad is an electrical contractor, he loves it. you just have to make sure you take your job seriously considering the possible dangers, but hey, you should be doing that no matter what your job is. i've done it for summers, to make some cash while off of school, i enjoyed it too. i think you're making a good decision, all of our shit runs on electricity so you won't have to worrry about finding work.

good 4 u

i make 6.70/hr trust me i know whats its like to be broke lol

good luck

Good luck with that. I'm in a similar boat where I need to do something that is fun and makes decent money...

Thats cool. Thats the important thing, is if you like what you do.
Yea there is some danger, but like you say, take it seriously. Inside wireman isn't anywhere as dangerous outside lineman, whew!
Yep, well all have to eat and use electricity.

Damn! I think I make $7.00 an hour after taxes and health insurance... the world is crazy, people getting rich, and poor people working all the time.

Thanks! Thanks everyone...

Yeah, you know, doing your own business is pretty cool as long as you like the service or field you're in. It's just getting the startup money. But some businesses you can start up for >10k and the bank usually will most people that much with decent credit and a clear business plan.

Other than that, well I'm not sure. A trade like electrical, plumbing, carpentry, boilermakers are all standard union jobs. Amtrak is pretty nice to work for, my dad does that. If you can get into a big company doing some kind of manufacturing, but they're getting scarce. My girl's cousin does tax preparation seasonally and makes about 3k a week for a month or so. They payed for her education and everything! Stuff's out there, it's just hard to find something that pays well and is something you like....