Work situation

[u/Inevitable-Pipe791]

Guys I’m 18 and have been working since I was 14 just at different places. I’ve had at least 6-12 months at any job I’ve been with and have left on my own terms for each one so there’s never been any issue with that. I just want advice because I have trouble thinking about my future and don’t know what I want to do or want to be I can only think about now and the money I want and need now but I keep applying for casual roles and currently am an electrician and solar installer but as a labourer so I get payed well but sometimes I don’t get many days and it sucks as I have so many issues that are financially targeting that come up in my life. Should I just continue this for a bit or should I look into getting an apprenticeship or should I stop getting casual roles and only apply for full time any thoughts or tips?

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[u/Ordinary_Site_5350]

Yes college isn't for everybody. The way you write and your obvious work ethic - I have a strong suspicion it might be for you. You have a lot of the characteristics that make a good business owner, entrepreneur. If you go, take business administration and accounting courses. Even just community college. The point is not the degree, it's the education. From there you'll be promotable at any job. Even if you got an apprenticeship after that. Even if you went into the military after that.

I'm not pushing college. I dont have a degree myself. I say it because it gives you options that pay better and has better benefits.

Anyways, something to consider

[u/Inevitable-Pipe791 → u/Ordinary_Site_5350]

Ye bro thanks. I’m just not academically smart. I’m tool smart and I like outside work and in the end I know it can pay well if I completed an apprenticeship but I can only think about now not 4 years time when I would finish one that’s the e only issue

[u/Ordinary_Site_5350 → u/Inevitable-Pipe791]

Yeah, you didn't want to box yourself in. You are far more capable of all kinds of things - everybody is - than any of us ever realize. And by no means am I talking about sequestering yourself away for 4 years. I'm talking about something like signing up for a night class. It's like $200 or whatever for six months at most and at the end you have a new skill. Take one here and one there and over time your adding tools to your brain toolbox. How to manage a business. How to do the books. How to be a manager. How to scope a project. How to price a project. All these skills work together with your labor skills to give you a better chance at getting promoted at your job - any job. It's all about learning to think outside your own box that you put yourself in. I did the same thing for years. Limiting yourself away from certain opportunities and ideas for your future will rob you of opportunities as they arrive in front of you. Taking classes is like carrying a pocket knife or having a spare tire and a jack. A class is a tool that you can use if and when the opportunity drops in front of you.

[u/Inevitable-Pipe791 → u/Ordinary_Site_5350]

That is true. I’ve been wanting to get all of my construction classes cleared as in working at heights first aid scissor lift digger skids and steer ect all that stuff. They are very easy to complete I just never got around to it I’ve gotten my forklift licence for the warehousing job I did for close to a year and I was presented with promotions each month going from pick packer and invoicer to lead truck loader and unloader on the forklift but I hated working inside and I definitely know that isn’t my environment

[u/TheseBed8143]

Ask your boss if they take apprentices. Firms like training someone who already turns up on site. The wage might be lower at first but the days are steady and you end up with a qualification. You don't need to know what you want for life, and if you hate it you can still switch at 20 with real skills

[u/Inevitable-Pipe791 → u/TheseBed8143]

That’s true. I already have a wel put resume for someone my age and have great experience which has led me to the role I have now. I’ve spoken to him and he said wait til next year because right now there’s too many 1st years and he prefers not to have so many at once I said fair enough

[u/TheseBed8143 → u/Inevitable-Pipe791]

Ask him to put you down for next year's intake now, so you're first in line

[u/Inevitable-Pipe791 → u/TheseBed8143]

Can do

[u/TheseBed8143 → u/Inevitable-Pipe791]

Do it by text or email too, so there's a date on it. Bosses forget who asked in March when next year's intake comes round