I got together with the wrong person. That woman cost me $15k in 3 months, burned through all of my savings for her amusement and made me take a $6k loan for furniture and a flat. Lemmings, what’s your sad story?

  • Asafum@feddit.nl
    26·
    1 day ago

    Probably not exactly what you meant, but not going to college with my group of friends that did. They went for computer science because they were interested in it and are now doing very well for themselves. I was never that interested in it and am more “hands on” with physical stuff so I didn’t feel like I should “waste” the money on that degree and figured I would spend time trying to figure out what I could do.

    I never “found myself” and am currently living in someone’s garage making not much money working in a factory that’s going to be over 90°F today with 75+% humidity… So in my case the financial mistake was not taking out a loan. :/

    • Demonmariner@lemmy.world
      34·
      1 day ago

      If you weren’t interested in computer science, going to college for it probably would have been a mistake. It sounds like your mistake was not finding your career niche early enough.

      • Asafum@feddit.nl
        81·
        1 day ago

        I tried my hand at HVAC but I absolutely cannot stand not having a schedule, nothing worse than getting home and getting a call that I have to go back out for… that and I live in an overpopulated area so driving in traffic every day was just adding to the stress. I was never more miserable than when working that job. :/

        • pishadoot@sh.itjust.works
          9·
          24 hours ago

          HVAC isn’t the only trade. HVAC is a TON of reactive work due to heating/cooling loss, which has immediate tenant impact that needs to be taken care of ASAP.

          Any utility work is likely in the same boat.

          Depending on your area you could look into framing, masonry, concrete. If you’re detail oriented you can get into cabinetry, tiling. Windows/doors/flooring is good for consistent work. Roofing will likely be consistent but it’s hard af and fucking dangerous, I wouldn’t recommend.

          You want to look for businesses that do new construction/commercial if you’re looking for steady work. If you’re getting into the industry you’ll likely start as a laborer, but if you’re a good worker that shows up on time you’ll quickly outgrow that because a TON of laborers are super unreliable, drugged out, shady etc. It’s hard work, and often fairly thankless at first, but if you have a good attitude and show that you want to learn you’ll get a taste of different stuff and can maybe narrow down where you want to focus. It could mean you take a pay cut at first depending on what you’re making now, but if you can get picked up as an apprentice in a union you might get over that hump (depends on your area and the union… I’ve seen IBEW brothers who work in restaurants when there isn’t enough work to get them out on jobs. Totally depends on your area/season/trade).

          Another possibility is mechanic, diesel is not going anywhere as well as bodywork/paint, but I’m not really sure how that industry is to break in to. If you’re not a car guy you might struggle to get your first hire unless you’re willing to do cleaning or other stuff at a shop/dealer and work your way up, but I don’t really know.

          The best time to start a career was when you were 18, perhaps. The second best time is tomorrow. It’s up to you what you want to do with your life but most of us don’t get stuff handed to us so if you want something better for yourself you’ll have to look for the opportunities and push for them.