| Back to school?
Posted: 11/7/2009 2:57:39 PM | Hello
I am a forestry graduate and have been working with the industry for 3 years now. With all the economic goings on here and in the U.S no one is buying lumber which means none is being cut and there is no decent work available(all contracts are being kept 'in house' and seeing as the company I worked for has gone bankrupt....)
Back to school it seems...so that I can have a 2nd career to fall back on but the question is what?
I have been doing much research but have been unable to come up with good information. My goal is to find a career I can tolerate and may in fact enjoy...but above all else is in high demand and will offer job security.
The baby boomers will be retiring soon so I am trying to look at how that could effect job openings and demand.
Lately it looks like a heavy equipment program is the best bet. Majority of those employed are now 50+ and will be retiring soon. It is a certification that would go well with my forestry diploma and enable to me drive/operate the equipment used to fell tree's.
I was wondering if anyone knew some information on what fields might be in high demand coming up and the effects of baby boomers retiring.
Money for school isn't an issue but time is.....Sitting in a class room is no way to live life and learn so the less time spent there the better.
thanks | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/7/2009 3:19:44 PM | Well ..
Anything in Human Services is in a HUGE demand upswing right now...
But you are also right about heavy machine work. the estimated retirement population is very heavy in that field right now and therefore in the next 5 - 8 years there will be a lot of vacancies.
Now is a great time to retrain !!! Always go with what will make you happy because if you find a job you LOVE you will never work another day in your life !
Good Luck ! | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/7/2009 3:27:40 PM | The economy is bad …. But I believe it’s going to get worse and many more jobs will be lost, permanently. I had a look at your profile and I see you love to travel. Why not study in a foreign country, perhaps learning a new language while enjoying the culture and the schooling.
Do you have a hobby that you could turn into a job or a business? At 25 you are young and why not try to focus on something that you LOVE to do that won’t feel like a job ….. this is what I’d be pursuing.
All the best to you …..
Peace ….. the FairyHealer | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/7/2009 4:07:27 PM | 1. Nursing..very employable...if you want heavy duty go into Emergency or Psych
2. Paramedic
3. Dential Hygeinist...they start at 35 bucks an hour
4. If you have a degree, one year in Canada gives you a teaching degree done post grad
Tons of choices. ...all of the above make you fast money upon graduation. | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/7/2009 7:00:06 PM | | Can't really suggest anything, but I can comment on the situation somewhat. I work for the company that insures your industry, so I can related when you say forestry is dying off. | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/7/2009 9:33:05 PM | nothing wrong with going back to school. they say in our generation, you will change careers maybe around 4 to 5 times. i went back to school this year and ended up graduating this past september. i was laid off last year during the car industry meltdown.
Healthcare is always be in demand no matter what. | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/10/2009 7:28:36 AM | Some really bad advice here to be frank.
Some people are telling you to go into fields that are dominated by women or are incredibly saturated with cheap labour - neither of which bodes well for you.
What you want is to get into a field that is "anchored", meaning that it is less likely to be outsourced and is more recession proof. An example of this is your barber - can't be outsourced and everyone needs it even during a downturn. You also want to ignore the hype about the impending shortage of workers due to retirement - frankly they have been saying this for decades and it shouldn't be something to plan a career around. This is due to the fact that they have lifted mandatory retirement, and secondly, due to the poor saving rates of canadians. People just can't afford to retire at 65 anymore, and will probably be working till at least 75 (if not longer) Too late for you.
So my advice - go for the trades. A drywaller can make about 100,000 a year if he works hard, 80,000 if he coasts. A framer can make a pretty penny as well, but whatever it is, go blue collar. You'll earn more and if you start your own business you can pretty much write everything off as a business expense.
P.S - following your hobby is only good if your hobby is being a dentist or stock broker. While being passionate about what you do is important, you gotta be realistic. People have to want to buy your services, and mom and dad cant be your only customers. | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/10/2009 11:47:33 AM | May I suggest a career in Parks Canada; you're more than 1/2 way there with your current credentials.
I checked your profile and you have "animals" listed as your likes; otherwise I wouldn't be bothered to respond. Animal management is a big part of the job.
Your knowledge of forestry puts you right over the top.
Take some quick courses that look good on a resume.
1. First Aid -- CPR
2. Dangerous goods tickets.
3. Mine rescue and recovery operation.
4. Up grade your drivers licience, as high as you can go; usually a class 2 (anyone can borrow a bus for a quick road test) Air brake endorsement is good; it's only a written exam.
5. Class 1 with air is the best (even I have one). That's a quick 1 week course.
And stay off of Facebook! If you're already on, delete questionable "friends".
If you've said something stupid, cancel your profile.
It will be looked at.
Good luck. | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/10/2009 1:20:38 PM | +1 on cleaning up facebook. People really don't understand how much of a drawback it is - if something is online - its public.
Might I suggest linkedin - its more professional and can lead to some powerful connections.
P.S - kendra - keep up the good work - your bro is a lucky guy! | |
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| Back to school?
Posted: 11/10/2009 6:10:47 PM | | starting now and moreso in the future, anything to do with greening, ie sustainable housing, is going to be in demand. | |
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