Job suggestions?

[Lamplight]

My current job has taught me two things:

1. I despise being stuck in an office for 9-10 hours a day.
2. Being stuck in said office with someone else causes me to loath the person's every action, even their breathing and typing. :x

So this had led me to the conclusion that I need to look for a job that allows me to go to different places all day long, and one that allows me to mostly be by myself (or at least among a variety of people thoughout the day). A few years ago I was courier and I find myself missing it every day, but the pay was not really enough to support myself. Therefore, I am considering becoming a truck driver. :D If anyone here has experience in this field or if you have any other ideas for jobs that fit the above criteria, I could use some suggestions. Thank you! :)

[cmM]

I don't know about truck driving...
I have friends that do this, and they are away from home for months, their back hurts, they take showers in public baths all the time, and eat junk food.

How about photography ? Maybe wedding photographer... It's hard, but I say keep your job for now and try to promote yourself as a photographer... and when the time is right, quit.

[robertwgross]

Combine the two.

Become a wedding photographer and specialize in truck stops and drive-through chapels.

---Bob Gross---

[Lamplight]

I forgot to mention that I've been looking for a job for at least a year and a half. :shock: If I don't find something soon I think I am actually going to lose my mind. I consider walking out almost every day, but then my more mature side steps in and stops me (thankfully). I thought about photography, but I don't feel I am nearly good enough to do it professionally. Also, I'm not sure I'd want to do it for a living. :? At one time I really believed that I wanted to take pictures for a living, but now I don't know.

I know someone who recently began working for a trucking company and I want to talk to him about it so I can learn a little more. I just have to find him. :lol:

[RichardtheSane]

Combine the two.

Become a wedding photographer and specialize in truck stops and drive-through chapels.

---Bob Gross---

The man is a genius

Specialise in that field and you could make a fortune in Vegas ;)

:D :D

[Scottes]

Also, I'm not sure I'd want to do it for a living. :?

I'm one of those lucky ones who loves his job. I've loved every job that I've had for the last 17 years. If I didn't love it for more than 3 days in a row then I found a new one. Working in the computer industry can be like that.

Whenever I run into someone in a situation like yours I always ask two questions: What do you like to do? And what are you good at?

The answer to those two questions will generally drive someone towards an job area where they will find a job they enjoy and one that will hopefully have a chance of advancement of some kind. If you like going to work and you're good at it then you'll be happy, your boss will be happy, and you'll get raises. Or you'll go find a better job - or a better-paying job - or maybe even one will find you.

One key in this is that you don't try to find a job doing something that you love to do. After a while it will become work, and soon you won't love it any more. And after a while you'll hate the fact that some stinking job took away all the love you had for that thing you once loved to do. Find something you like, not love. If you get lucky and find a job you love, then be careful - if you ever think that you don't like it so much then run away. Keep the things you love, don't make them a public commodity.


So what do you like to do?
And what are you good at?

[Lamplight]

Thanks Scottes. :)

Things I like to do:

Drive
Draw
Create things (physical things, not CNC programs like I do now :lol: )

Things I am good (decent) at:

See above :D

Things I love to do:

Take pictures :)

[Scottes]

Ah, so I can see where they truck driving thing comes in. That makes sense, and seems a good choice.

Can you handle the away-from-home aspects? If not, how about something closer, like UPS or a courier service or a local trucking service?

How about something like a sales or support person for the CNC stuff? Regional jobs like this get a lot of traveling with no boss. On the creativity side you could breeze in, sketch out what they need using the drawing skills, fire them up on the right track with the CNC, and go...

Did you ever watch American Chopper? The stuff they make on the CNC-type machines, like the wheels they make? Being one of the specialists who work with (or interface with, or coordinate) the "artists" and CNC operators could be cool. Artists often have a hard time understanding the steps to get a finished product - they draw it and it's done in their mind. But often they don't realize things needed to get a piece in 3D, or don't realize where they could save money and time yet still get an artistic product. Just talking off the tp of my head here...


Seems like you're on the right track though. Drive, travel, shoot. Seems like a good plan.

[Lamplight]

Hmm...some good ideas Scottes.

I don't think I'd have a problem being away from home, and often times a person may get a job doing in-state deliveries. I imagine I'd do some serious traveling just starting out, though, since beggers can't be choosers. :D I have also considered UPS and FedEx, but both have some major drawbacks. From what I've heard UPS mainly hires from within the company, and many drivers have been there 7-10 years before they can reach that point. And with FedEx, apparantly you have to purchase/lease your own truck, which would be fine if I had some money. :lol:

There is a guy that sells us our tools for our CNC turret and press brake, which seems like it might be a decent job. I have no sales experience, but who knows.

My dad currently works for the courier service where I was once employed (actually I was a contract driver and he is an employee driver). Today I called him and he was in Arkansas just past the Mississippi river. I really do miss going places like that, and the only reason I quit the courier business was because I was using my own car and they weren't giving me enough good runs to pay the bills. I actually kind of enjoyed that job when when I was getting to go somewhere other than across town (for $4 :eyes).

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. :)

[IndyJeff]

I have been my own boss since 1987. I could make more money if I went to work for someone else but, the thought of going to the same place day in and day out would drive me crazy. There are days when I consider quitting and getting a job but, I wait a week before I do anything and by the next day I love my job again.

This is becoming a service oriented business world. If you have a talent that can be "rented out" why not try and start your own business. I had a buddy from another message board. He fixed computers. He was working for a company as their IT person. Thing was he was under a contract that was renewed every 9 months so, it was possible that every 9 months he might lose his job. He got tired of the "We may not have the money for you next time, would you consider taking a cut in pay?" lines about every 8 months or so. Finally he decided to go into business for himself.
I haven't heard from him in close to a year now but the last contact he didn't have time for the message board anymore. He had gone to several companies and pitched his idea of "if you have a computer problem you can call us and we will be out to fix it ASAP." about 2 years ago I heard from him he had gone to the local college, put up a notice on a bulletin board that asked for people who was very knowledgable about computers and problems with LAN's. He hired 3 "geeks" as he put it. The last I heard he had one of the 3 still with him but the other 2 had been replaced by 8 more. They all work part time and he pays them pretty good. He has 4 full time employees in the field and 3 in the office.
His former company is one of his clients and had landed their lawyers, accountants and advertising agency as clients of his own. Each one of them has given his name out to someone who has begun to use his services.
As he put it in his last email, now he doesn't begin to worry every 8 months or so, he is secure, making more money and is happy as a clam.

I think you have to look forward to getting up each day and doing what you love to do, whether it is fixing computers or digging ditches.

Good luck

[Tom W]

Combine the two.

Become a wedding photographer and specialize in truck stops and drive-through chapels.

---Bob Gross---

The man is a genius

Specialise in that field and you could make a fortune in Vegas ;)

:D :D

The only problem with making a fortune in Vegas is that its so easy to lose a fortune in Vegas as well. It takes a disciplined person to live there and not go broke. I'm not that disciplined.

[Lamplight]

Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions guys. :) The more I think about it, the more I believe that driving may be the thing for me. I'm still going to wade in cautiously, but I have a feeling I'll end up giving it a try. :D Of course, if I do this I may not be able to come here nearly as often. :(

[garethhhhh]

I also love driving, but I could never see myself doing it for a living.

However, if photography is what you love, then truck driving could be just the ticket. The downsides have already been mentioned but just think of all the places you could go with your camera.

[IndyJeff]

Don't think that if you get a truck driving job you will be able to stop and take some photos of this and that. You will be on a schedule and if your constantly late they are going to wonder why and it won't be long before your looking for work again.

[Lamplight]

Don't think that if you get a truck driving job you will be able to stop and take some photos of this and that. You will be on a schedule and if your constantly late they are going to wonder why and it won't be long before your looking for work again.

Yeah, that's what I figured. I'd might take my camera just in case, but I seriously doubt I'd be using it much. And since much of the driving would be on interstates, I doubt there would be many places to pull over even if I wanted to. :)

[Pekka]

Thanks Scottes. :)

Things I like to do:

Drive
Draw
Create things (physical things, not CNC programs like I do now :lol: )

Things I am good (decent) at:

See above :D

Things I love to do:

Take pictures :)

Start a pizza business "Photo Pizza" where you make and deliver the pizza's and on location take a 2 minute family portrait photo which your customers can then pick up from internet 15-30 minutes later.

PS. If you make millions with this remember me :) :)

[Lamplight]

:lol::lol:

"Large pepperoni with extra cheese?"

"That's right"

"Ok, everyone bunch together and...." *snap*

"Alright that'll be $134"

:D

[Danny Boy]

I work in an office 9-10 hours a day too.
I also work in an office w/ the same person every day.

<Looking over my shoulder now>

[Jon]

I work in an office 9-10 hours a day too.
I also work in an office w/ the same person every day.

<Looking over my shoulder now>

Then one of you has a whopper of a commute . . . Can't be Ben, or he wouldn't be looking for a job driving!

[deana]

Mr Lamplight,

Hi, I work for Fedex myself. I used to be a courier but I now work in Dispatch reading photography message boards all day. Fedex drivers that work for Fedex Express do not have to buy their own trucks. It is a great job and pays well to start not to mention you get benefits after 3 months even if you work part time. Starting pay in FL is about 14.00 per hour. Should be close to the same where you are. They are always hiring drivers. As a matter of fact it is not hard to get hired as a courier. We have many here in Miami that barely speak English. Check it out if you can.

[Lamplight]

Thanks for the info Deana! :) Whenever I see a job for FedEx drivers on Monster.com, one of the requirements is that the applicant be able to obtain his/her own vehicle. That is why I thought that the drivers had to buy their own trucks. Perhaps it varies in different areas? ???

[PhotosGuy]

:lol: Scottes is another "American Chopper" fan!

In the mid '70s, I worked for a great boss & liked the daily out of the office/lab assignments. Then things changed in management & I just picked up my cameras & became a free-lance. For me, the ability to go when I want & do what I like was well worth it. Being stuck in an office all day...

A guy I met does kids soccer teams two weekends a year. Said he hires about 6 free-lancers to shoot singles & team pics while he organizes things. The toughest part of his job is getting the teams signed up. That's what he does the other 50 weeks of the year!

[Andy_T]

I used to be a courier but I now work in Dispatch reading photography message boards all day

Now there's some very important message in that statement that everybody with err ... 776 posts in 5 months should well observe before changing his job :shock:

Best regards,
Andy