Is it to LATE?
I'm 37 years old Army veteran with 14 plus years of Fire Alarm Technician experience. Last year was a bad year for me losing my father, wife's grandmother, dealing with FMLA due to my wife's health and losing my job because of a lost court case due to a vehicle accident in a company vehicle. All of this, plus the unpredictability of technician work, strange hours and spur of the moment travel and often travel has put a bad taste in my mouth about my profession. I would like something local and alittle more predictable. Do you think it's to late to make a career change for something local and consistent? Is family time and happiness worth more then a bigger pay check?
I'm 54 and I have changed careers and reinvented myself several times in 20 years. . I can also tell you that Family Time and 'work-life' balance is very very important. NOTHING is worth the loss of family (time).
If you have doing Fire Alarms, then you should have a Low Voltage license. There are many many Low Voltage contract companies, structured cable companies that work ONLY local jobs.
I don't know about the vehicle issue which might be an issue if you need to drive on behalf of the company.
There is also a central station, office / call center position that you could perhaps easily related to and understand given the Fire Alarm background.
Good Luck
Hi Tom, i'm Mike! iwas in the army too in 1976,i didn't fare as well as you didn't make basic training got out on honorable discharge.messed up on my marching.it would seem you need a different line of work good luck in that! well Tom you're a little younger than me ,i'm 59 yrs.old you would have a better chance than me.i worked for a liquor store/bar that lasted for 8 yrs.lost that job because my boss tainted the liquor(place got shut down)then got a job as a ticketer in the Burlington coat factory got fired because i wasn't fast enough,didn't meet my work percentage.only worked for 2 months ,2 wks. i would have to work for 5months to get unemployment benifits(which i didn't get! i'm using my life insurance money to pay my house taxes(quarterly) i'm still looking for a job! i'm also afraid i'll lose my house if i don't. whatever you decide it's your decision!
It seems like you like outside work. Some painting and construction companies will pick up their guys. My father always did. What about car sales? Would you be allowed to move cars across the parking lot? It's never too late to change. I went through the same thing and when you learn first-hand how precious life is... it makes you look at your own situation a little more carefully, right? Also, be aware that your job does not have to be the biggest part of your lifwe that is "fullfilling" or "meaningful". Joining a group or picking up a new family hobby, taking on new goals or volunteer work can be very rewarding.
Hello Thomas family always come first and the rest will follow. Please do not give up be confident, persistent, and believe you will get a job your priorities are in order and God will open doors for you
Thomas, its never too late to find new career adventures as long as you stay positive. People hire the true "you" that you show them, not necessarily the "you" others present. 1. Be as true to potential employers as you are to yourself. If you need 6 months to reacquire your driving privileges, most employers will be willing to hire you for other work with the expectation that you have a "sound" work ethic with willingness to demonstrate it. 2. Rely on the skills and experience you currently have to get back to work while 3. Learning more about yourself and the "career" that you can reasonably expect to be consistent with your passion. #3 is probably the most challenging but it sounds as if you are already well on your way. I am a firm believer that quiet time with yourself will enable you to define "passion" for you. Sometimes "living" experiences such as yours can complicate plans causing us to focus on the complications even for the best of us. However, sometimes it can also bring the gift of self realization. Never give up finding a new career at any age. Your life experiences, God-given skills can become the best gifts to offer a new employer. Best wishes for you and keep looking for the best path to the best you.
I am sorry for your losses especiaierlly as you had more than 1 death. You are still young so for you to change jobs and occupation is easier. I agree with going to the VA but they do vary in quality of care and availability. Family always comes first because if you miss an important mile stone you can never get it back. A lot of companies are actively looking to hire vets You can do online school to get you other education. I am not sure if I can put this down but Groupon apps do have courses come up and they are really cheap I have seen $10-15. I would also look in your library they have info in there and also also adult classes though adults ed. They can do courses in different jobs so maybe you could see if you like that new occupation before you spend the money to go into a new occupation and find you don't like it. I don't know if your dol could help in any way. Good luck!
Family is alway important than making them $$$$ if your not ready to go out there don't jump an then regret were u went wrong focus on you first then go out there an do what you love best
Hi Thomas, I think you should LOOK ONLY AT POSITIVE things in your life! Even if they seem hard to find. You MUST CONSTANTLY look at ONLY THE POSITIVES!! Have you met Jesus? I think you should get a holy bible,and easy to read version and PRAY!! There is nothing wrong with working, but DNT put your family last! Speaking from experience, DONT forget that time with your family, even if you run around in your background/outside. Kids dnt care how you have fun they just want your time. PLEASE dnt forget about your wife! DONT ignore! PLEASE PRAY! TO GO GOD! Everyday when you wake up! In private! Please dnt ignore your family, please make God the head of you and you the head of your household, ALWAYS make sure your house is in order! PLEASE GO TO A BIBLE BASED CHURCH AND GET YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CLOSE TO JESUS!! I hope EVERYTHING GETS ONLY BETTER!! PLEASE DNT FORGET TO STAY POSITIVE STAY MOTIVATED!! LISTEN TO POSITIVE MESSAGES, MOTIVATIONAL WORDS AND MUSIC!