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Proud of my son!!

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
Nice that’s what I went to school for, it ended up taking me down a great road. I feel like a trade is a great alternative to a four year school. I wasn’t cut out for college, tech school yes.

I agree. And here in south Louisiana there are plenty of job opportunities for welders. And it's really good pay. His girlfriends parents are against him not going to a four year college. They are giving him a hard time. He said he doesn't want to start his life in debt with student loans. And honestly, a lot of young men ,who are helpers that work with my husband, went to university and are now working in the plants. They either can't find work in their field, or the plants pay a lot more...My son also likes to work. He's a laborer. He wouldn't be satisfied with a desk job.... So I just encourage him, and tell him to do what he sees fit, and don't worry about pleasing everyone. There will always be people who will tell you your going to fail. Just hold your head high, be thankful for all that the Lord has blessed you with... and of course, prove them wrong!!
 

trg

Well-Known Member
So a little history and my journey, started as a production worker, went to tech school learned welding and machining. Took a job tool building, got promoted to tooling manager, then preventative maintenance manager. Then Took a plant superintendent position . It took 23 years to achieve all of that but worth it, tell your son to hold his head high. Oh the 23 years were with the same company. Even with a degree a lot of employers won’t give you the good job without experience. Now my daughter is attending a four year school for teaching, her starting salary will be around $40,000. I guess it is what makes you happy in life.
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
So a little history and my journey, started as a production worker, went to tech school learned welding and machining. Took a job tool building, got promoted to tooling manager, then preventative maintenance manager. Then Took a plant superintendent position . It took 23 years to achieve all of that but worth it, tell your son to hold his head high. Oh the 23 years were with the same company. Even with a degree a lot of employers won’t give you the good job without experience. Now my daughter is attending a four year school for teaching, her starting salary will be around $40,000. I guess it is what makes you happy in life.

That's awesome! Hard work always pays off. That's what I tell my kids. Whatever they choose to do, they should give it their all! I will share your post with him. I think it will encourage him . :)
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
So a little history and my journey, started as a production worker, went to tech school learned welding and machining. Took a job tool building, got promoted to tooling manager, then preventative maintenance manager. Then Took a plant superintendent position . It took 23 years to achieve all of that but worth it, tell your son to hold his head high. Oh the 23 years were with the same company. Even with a degree a lot of employers won’t give you the good job without experience. Now my daughter is attending a four year school for teaching, her starting salary will be around $40,000. I guess it is what makes you happy in life.

Awesome, that‘s definitely an impressive resume. Unfortunately, luck, knowing people, and being in the right place at the right time make a big difference too (in general not relating it to you). I know manufacturing workers with high school diplomas who make close to $100,000 a year, and I know people with master‘s degrees who barely make $50,000 a year. From an earnings perspective, manufacturing is extremely lucrative. I don‘t regret the completion of my four year degree, but so far, it hasn‘t paid off financially at all. I wouldn‘t focus too much on the type of degree, as this is something that always can be added. Learning a trade first makes total sense to me. Most college graduates have no clue what "real work life" actually looks like.
 

trg

Well-Known Member
You
Awesome, that‘s definitely an impressive resume. Unfortunately, luck, knowing people, and being in the right place at the right time make a big difference too (in general not relating it to you). I know manufacturing workers with high school diplomas who make close to $100,000 a year, and I know people with master‘s degrees who barely make $50,000 a year. From an earnings perspective, manufacturing is extremely lucrative. I don‘t regret the completion of my four year degree, but so far, it hasn‘t paid off financially at all. I wouldn‘t focus too much on the type of degree, as this is something that always can be added. Learning a trade first makes total sense to me. Most college graduates have no clue what "real work life" actually looks like.
You are spot on Tyler, while I am salary, I have guys with O/T making $115,000 a year. This is a lot of away from home time though. I paid my dues doing that. I know of people with degrees struggling to find something as well. One employer says we want the degree, but with experience. It seems it’s a catch 22. Even with my experience I get recruiters calling me, when they find out I don’t have a four year degree, it’s okay we will talk soon.
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
You

You are spot on Tyler, while I am salary, I have guys with O/T making $115,000 a year. This is a lot of away from home time though. I paid my dues doing that. I know of people with degrees struggling to find something as well. One employer says we want the degree, but with experience. It seems it’s a catch 22. Even with my experience I get recruiters calling me, when they find out I don’t have a four year degree, it’s okay we will talk soon.

I agree 100%. The OT earning potential is great, but this in combination with crazy shift schedules is what drains people physically and mentally. At the same time, plant safety is at risk due to people working 14 hour days all the time. Sorry, that‘s the HR person speaking out of me. I have always loved working with Operations people, as they are honest, direct, and action orientated. I‘m not saying that Chemists or Teachers are not, but it‘s still somehow different.
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
He is currently working at a car wash making $12 an hour, and then on days off and weekends he works for a man who owns his own construction business. He makes $15 an hour w him. He does everything from carpentry, to running backhoes ,fork lifts, bush hogging. etc... He wants to learn to run the crane next. He is gaining a lot of experience, and he really enjoys it.
 

Sheila Braund

Well-Known Member
He is currently working at a car wash making $12 an hour, and then on days off and weekends he works for a man who owns his own construction business. He makes $15 an hour w him. He does everything from carpentry, to running backhoes ,fork lifts, bush hogging. etc... He wants to learn to run the crane next. He is gaining a lot of experience, and he really enjoys it.

That's great! So many young people have no direction in life. Not the case with your son. And you should be proud and brag about him.... That's what mom's do. Especially when your son has that drive to make a good life for hims self, and you my dear should be proud of yourself..... It's because of your parenting that his going in such a positive direction
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
That's great! So many young people have no direction in life. Not the case with your son. And you should be proud and brag about him.... That's what mom's do. Especially when your son has that drive to make a good life for hims self, and you my dear should be proud of yourself..... It's because of your parenting that his going in such a positive direction

Thanks Sheila for your kind words. :) I am very thankful for my children, they are such a blessing.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
I’ve hired people that do what your son is looking to do for a living , for the last 20yrs , I would tell your son to have an understanding of math to trig level and take some technical drawing / autocad classes along the way , a 2yr degree from a community college in mechanical engineering can be done part time pretty easily at some point ……….. proficiency in math and reading drawings is very helpful …… he sounds like he has the common sense and work ethic going on …….. that in itself sets him apart from the young folks I run across today …….. they act like they are owed something , they lack an understanding of how the world really works , the more you can do well , the harder you are to replace , the better off you are , participation is not enough , you need to be good at it ………… common sense is a very marketable asset today in a young person ………. Add reliability , responsibility and accountability to common sense , that’s a teachable person , I’d take that over experience all day long …… you and your husband should be proud of raising a kid like that ……
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I’ve hired people that do what your son is looking to do for a living , for the last 20yrs , I would tell your son to have an understanding of math to trig level and take some technical drawing / autocad classes along the way , a 2yr degree from a community college in mechanical engineering can be done part time pretty easily at some point ……….. proficiency in math and reading drawings is very helpful …… he sounds like he has the common sense and work ethic going on …….. that in itself sets him apart from the young folks I run across today …….. they act like they are owed something , they lack an understanding of how the world really works , the more you can do well , the harder you are to replace , the better off you are , participation is not enough , you need to be good at it ………… common sense is a very marketable asset today in a young person ………. Add reliability , responsibility and accountability to common sense , that’s a teachable person , I’d take that over experience all day long …… you and your husband should be proud of raising a kid like that ……

This is good advice.

April, is your son considering going through the pipe fitter apprenticeship program?