How to start over?

[one more cast]

How to start over?

I am 46 years old with RA. I haven't worked in about 6 years because all I know is physical work. I have a high school education but just applied myself in school enough to pass. I now live on disability plus my 21 year pension. I am sick of looking at my life like it is over. I have thought long and hard and have decided it is time to do something to improve my life. I have been thinking about maybe something related to art, design, photography, sales, but something that will not strain my body too much. My passions are motorcycles,music,being creative. I was a mill machinist/machanic but got much more enjoyment when making stuff on my own without blueprints or exact measurements, freehand if you will.I also like playing around on the computer. I need some advice as to what steps to take to start a new life?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

Whoa, OMC, that's a tall order. I assume you're not talking about a 9 to 8 job?

 

[one more cast]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

My options are either to earn a decent income or earn under $500 a month. I would prefer a full time job(40 hours max) so I'm not stuck at this crappy income for the rest of my life. Can I do it? I will have to try it and see. Or maybe some kind of home based business. I'm about burned out with iBoats as a career (no offence) But there has to be something out there for me.

 

[JB]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

Not familiar with RA, OMC.<br /><br />Tell us what it is and how it prevents you from doing what you have done before. Tell us about your daily activity.<br /><br />What sort of tools/equipment do you have available?<br /><br />During my third career (13 years) in private technical colleges probably 30% of my students were starting over, about 10% because of some disability that prevented them from continuing what they had been doing for a living.<br /><br />Your most important asset is skills that you enjoy applying. Finding new ways to apply them can be very rewarding.<br /><br />Let us know. I'm sure that we have members who can give you good advice and suggest some attractive options.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

How about some kind of job counseling? Maybe your local community college or your State Employment office has a program to help figure out how your aptitudes might translate into the kind of jobs that are available.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

Ever thought about taking CAD classes? Artwork and design all rolled into one.

 

[one more cast]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

JB, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some days I can get around pretty well and other days it is almost impossible to do just about anything physical. I can not stand for long periods of time. I can type with 2 fingers and would never be able to type correctly because my fingers don't work well. I enjoy working with my hands but it is too difficult. I changed a brake line on my plow truck the other day because I was feeling good and I suffered for three days afterwords. I am not a pot head or boozer so my brain still works pretty good. I can use my hands as long as I don't have to exert much pressure. To watch my actions you would think I was almost normal. Hope this helps. I have never became a master at anything. It seems that I have been searching all my life and now this disease just made my options more limited.

 

[one more cast]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

About a year or so ago I posted a similar post and ended up putting a small shop in my cellar but the dampness and cement floor along with the lack of daylight made it a depressing place to be. I really don't just want a hobby, I want to be productive. I am sure there are lots of people worse off then me with careers. I just don't know how to make the transformation from what I am used to doing to something I can physically do.

 

[JRJ]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

Sorry to hear about your RA. One job that comes to mind is police, fire dispatching. Not physical, but takes coolness under pressure Good luck OMC

 

[one more cast]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

I think I am going to talk to the guidance counselors at the two local community colleges. That should get me started in the right direction. I believe I can go to collage for free or close to it because of my condition so maybe I should take advantage of it. And its not like I have to quit my job or anything to seek this venture so I will still be able to pay my bills.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

What would be a great boost is if it was possible for you to somehow move to a warmer and dryer climate.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

OMC first of all you are doing the right thing and you want to change. That is a great first step.<br /><br />Like to dabble with computers? Creative? Well, just a suggestion but a fun one. Try E-bay. Hit the yard sales (we know they are coming) and start selling little things. <br /><br />Presentation is the key! If you put a spoonful of food on your plate it's no big deal..... if a chef puts the same food on the plate it looks great. It is all in presentation. Check out trivial items on e-bay and look what sells. It is the presentation.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Barlow]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

look at things you like to do OMC .. <br /><br />dealership sales at a cycle shop .. etc.,<br />. what ever it is you have intrest in - take a look and test the waters.<br /><br />#1 thing is to get out there and talk with people and see what the possibilities are. <br /><br />keep your mind open to some new things and you might just find a niche'<br /><br />I hope the best for ya bud! stay possitive

 

[Terry H]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

That would be my advice also, OMC, get out there and talk to people, to places you like to go, and people you like, and things you like. Let 'em know you're lookin for something. Another thing you mentioned, go back to school, the greatest place in the world for an additude picker-upper. Chief<br />Keep on truckin OMC

 

[Twidget]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

The Ebay idea is a good one. I read somewher about a business that people drop their stuff off. The business markets it on Ebay and handles the shipping and billing for a percentage of the profit.<br /><br />My sister does what Bob_VT suggested. She makes quite a bit from it. <br /><br />Would you be interested in training people to do what you used to do for a living? There is always a demand for machinists and there are quite a few tech schools that need instructors.

 

[MTFishGuy]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

There are plenty of opportunities in geographic information system (GIS) design and administration. You could work for a government entity, a public utility, etc., or be your own contractor. The applications for GIS are limited only by the imagination. <br /><br />There are training programs available through various colleges and universities, as well as on line. Check out www.esri.com. I have taken some of their courses and would recommend them. <br /><br />Hope this helps out.

 

[agitator]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

JB is dead on with his idea that help from a technical college might be the answer. Also CAD drafting should be looked at very carefully as it would seem to fit your abilities and interests and good jobs are available all over, even if you decided to relocate. Whatever you do pursue this redirection in life and don't give up if you hit a few snags. Good luck!

 

[agitator]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

Let me add, if you retrain or redirect, learn something that just anyone on the street can't do. Learn a real specialized skill that separates you from the others. Competition for unskilled jobs is tremendious and those jobs rarely pay well. If you go back to school make it count and don,t let them counsel you into enrolling in a program with poor career prospects because they need students in that program as I and I am sure JB has seen happen more than once.

 

[brother chris]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

I know you like boats OMC, so you ever thinking of becoming a Captain of a tug boat or tour boats. <br /><br /><br />Fishing Guide. Open a tackle store. Bus driver. Security Guard(but not a local dept store guard). Up the anti and be a security guard for government offices, parliment, high security places(they make good money). Almost all government jobs get good a salary. <br />I'm real tired, but there are a few I could think of. <br />Hope it all works out for you OMC.<br />Cheers,<br />Brother Chris.

 

[one more cast]

Re: How to start over?

Re: How to start over?

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Some of these are things I never even heard of or thought of and thats what I am looking for. I still live in the same small town that I grew up in. I worked in the same mill my father and grandfather did so that is all I know. Time to take a different path. Thanks again.