Searching for wisdom from delica owners.

[Adrock]

Well guys, this may seem a little strange, but i'm going togo ahead and do it anyways.

I am figuring stuff out right now, and want to start moving in a direction that will get me where I want to be. For those who have met me (and I hope to meet a lot more soon) you know i'm a young outgoing guy, and I'll try pretty much anything. So where I want to be would be... In a house, (definitely not opposed to being in a small town rather than the city) paying for it (or better yet having payed for it) working at something where my effort directly effects the outcome. I am sick of jobs where how long i'm there is the only thing that changes what Iget payed, I like working hard, but why do an 8 hour job in 4 hours if all it gets you is a smaller paycheck? That said, the only other requirement is that I really want to have the free time to enjoy what I work for. Those things will most likely be dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and if the money situation gets really out of hand, a ski boat (but thats just a silly dream)

Some things I have considered (but am certainly not limited to in any way)

-Electrician -I already have some experience in lighting in the film industry, a sort of pseudo electrician position, mostly just plug this in and carry this heavy thing. (not to mention plug in this heavy thing) Not sure if there are a lot of options for getting into something specialized and making more than the hourly wage, and if there is opportunity for that, if going through 4 years and getting my t icket is the best way to do it.

-Diesel Engine mechanic -I even went so far as to apply to BCIT, but unless I get into my own business (which I fear as a mechanic will not afford me the free time I desire) I will be working by the hour.

-Adventure tour guide -This would be ideal if I knew I could make it work. The problem is there are a bunch of these sort of businesses popping up now, and finding what would set mine apart would be paramount to its success. This would get me out doing what I love, it would msot certainly involve the delica, and could even include the dirt bikes and snowmobiles in the work day.

-Go to university -This is not something i've ever been very interested in, but the more I think about the trades as just pay by the hour jobs, the more I think it may be worth it if I set a goal and achieve it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Possibilities for university are -forestry, mining, environmental something or other, and if i'm feeling adventurous, engineering, maybe electrical but any suggestions would be great.

If this strikes you as something strange to be posting on delica.ca, here is why i did it. At the meet, and just through here, I have met some very very interesting people, kevin, Steve (mitch), Brett, James, Josh, Zack, Steve just to name a few. Kev with his wvo, mitch with his awesome welding skills, not to mention a bike shop, and trekking a lot further than I did on his trip ha. These are just guys I would never hesitate to spend an afternoon with, or a weekend, great stories, people who never let work get in the way of adventures, and people who have used their skills to live life the way they want to.

If any of you guys have any suggestions, anything you think, man, if I was 20 again i would do this no questions asked, throw it at me. I'm not in a hurry, or worried, but hey, can't hurt to think about it at some point.

Thanks a lot, hope this gets interesting.

[EricN]

Well I am new here and dont really know you at all but this question is perfect for me. I am 34, a Honda mechanic, married, 2 kids, have a house, super active etc. I hurt my back at work in Mar 06. I spent the last year and a half being told to live with a muscle strain. I finally got to see a specialist and turns out I am alot worse than originally thought and require surgery.
During all this time I have been struggling trying to work I have been told to find a new career. Well, I really like what I do, I enjoy solving problems and fixing them. Well, I physically cant do it. Trying now to find a job that I can do while broken, that pays good money (50K+), and I enjoy is impossible. Anything I do come up with (I would like to be an engineer or get into electronics) requires years of schooling. I am kicking myself now for not getting the education when I could afford it. Now I am stuck doing trades for the rest of my life. DOnt get me wrong, I love my job, but you need to consider the possibility of not being physically able to handle that job in the future.
That being said, I think with something like electrician there is room for advancement to something more than just an install guy as I know a couple electricians who dont actually do physical work anymore.
Good luck.

[mark]

I ended up taking the university route, and now work as a labour market economist. My day job (and some personal experience) gives me some perspective on the pros and cons of various trades and other occupations. I enjoy the work that I do, but like most people often ponder what other field I might have chosen if I were to “do it all over again” – probably would look seriously at the building trades. Most building trades have been in very high demand since 2000, because of the hot real estate market and also demand from industry in Alberta - Bitumen production is forecast to grow rapidly until 2015. These factors drive up wages for people with trades qualifications across Canada (not only in Fort McMurray). On the downside, tradesmen do tend to get hit the hardest during recessions (compared to jobs requiring a university degree).

Real estate is another interesting field, but is a skewed income distribution (a small handful make a killing, but the typical real estate agent makes much less). The period of study to become an agent is relatively short (compared to university degree), and it is an occupation that involves meeting people and learning about what they do.

You might find it helpful to browse BC Work Futures. Their website gives a pretty decent overview of most common jobs in BC. (working conditions, average wages, etc).

[scott]

hey Adrock,

never having met you, i can still relate. i'm on my second career already and i'm 29. i did and still do work as a sea kayak guide, among other "outdoor sports".

the pros of working as a guide are:
-you're outside every day all day, and physically active
-you meet interesting people with diverse life experiences
-you can make decent money
-you can travel with this kind of job, and often can do the same work all over the world - meaning that travel is paid for!
-it's challenging, rarely boring, and you get the chance to share a passion with other people, and depending on the type of trip and activity, you can potentially give people life changing experiences, which is always cool
-there are many more pros, but these are the main ones

the cons:
-your "real" life gets put on hold for months or years at a time
-maintaining a relationship outside of the guiding community is next to impossible
-compared to other jobs, the money sometimes isn't great, although food and accom. are often covered if you're working remote trips (meaning that when you sleep in a tent for 4-8 months of the year, you don't need to pay rent)
-you can get burned out on leading novices around, and you will hardly ever do anything at your personal limit when guiding, because you're supposed to be in control (as much as is possible in remote areas) when things happen to your clients
-you work long hours, and often many days/weeks in a row
-you depend on your body working properly, all the time - if your back goes south or you break something riding or skiing, you can't work, and benefits packages are unheard of in this industry.

having said that, it's a great life, and i loved it for years. you experience things daily that many will never see or do.

now i'm doing a masters and working contracts doing field work for forestry science. this is great too, but you spend a lot more time in front of a computer. the pay is better, and lots of education is needed. but there are tons of jobs in the natural resource and science sectors right now, and for the time being i can't see that slowing down - as the world wants our minerals, fresh water, trees etc, and climate change is becoming more of a pressing issue. but this means at least 4 years of university, probably more, whereas you can train as an apprentice kayak guide in the space of 3 months or less.

hope that helps.

[Green1]

don't dismiss the trades, certainly they can be "hourly" jobs, but they don't have to be...
As with any job, if you work for someone else you're probably on salary or hourly, but there's nothing stopping you from working for yourself, many electricians are small companies of 1-2 people where the harder you work, the more you get paid.

[vanjuggler]

Hey - I'm new here too, but I hope this helps.

It's really great that you're thinking about this stuff, and figuring out where you want to go - kudos!

Some thoughts:
* BCIT can be really great. I got a job after doing the computer systems option, and was hired right out of school
* Don't worry about finding a job for the rest of your life. Find something that will suit you for the next few years
* As you move through life you'll keep learning what you really want to do


"To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous" -- Chinese proverb

[Fanny Bay Delica]

Adam,

There is one route that I believe is best for those searching for adventure and skills.

Join the Military, there is no better life with fantastic pay and benefits. Best of all you'll serve your country!!

Drop by a Recruiting Centre just to get a feel, I can tell you I loved my 22 years (2 degrees and pension at 40)

[docsavage]

Hey Adam,

I'm in the same boat just 20 years later. I choose my first career in forestry as a means to achieve a gertain goal. Initially I wanted to get into the National Parks, but a single degree doesn't really cut it anymore, need at least a masters to get into the management end. As a professional forester, I have had many great experiences, and also been bored senseless at times. If you like the outdoors, forestry is not necessarily going to get you out. The 4 years I worked for Weldwood were mostly attached to a computer in the office (of course my specialty was timber valuation and certification programs). The other 6 years were working for consultants in the field. Field work in forestry is not easy. Long days, not great pay ($10-15/hour as a compassman, 20-25 for experienced layout people and cruisers), bugs, weather, bugs, hills, bugs, bears, bugs, and of course bugs. I'm not sure I would recommend a forestry career at this time. There will be a massive decline in harvest levels in the north where the beetles have done damage in the next couple of years. Currently consultants are busy, but rates are lower that previous years as companies blame the low dollar and low exports for being cheap. In the next 5 years the need for forestry crews will start to decline and there are lots of underemployed forester out there. That said careers in mining, waste management, geology, are very good choices.

I took the summer off, explored my goals, and I am also changing careers. Forestry was useful to get me to the new career path I am choosing. Since my eye surgery was so successful, I am planning to go back to school next year for nautical sciences at BCIT to start a career with the merchant marine in navigation (commercial ships, ferries, tugs, etc.). Although not for everyone, there is also a large "grey wave" of retirees in that industry. I went to foresty so I could buy a boat and be sailing around the world by 40, but that didn't quite work so I want to sail somebody elses. There are shorter programs for deckhands, and a course for working on private luxury yachts ( a friend uses to work on Paul Allen's (Gate's partner) boat and is constantly all over the world in nice places with rich people. Of course not getting seasick is a requirement. Working as an observer on the trawl boats confirmed I have no issues with motion. The observer is another option, try Archipelago Marine Research, if interested.

A trade is also a very good thing, my father wanted us to at least get a University degree (he didn't care what) and then take on a trade if one wanted to after. I loved university and there is where I learned to learn, but really I don't even use any of the information they taught. For a career in electrickery, then I might suggest you study power engineering. The co gen plant in Williams Lake is looking to take on an apprentice. You work for them, study at work, write the exams, and in a couple of years you're a power engineer pulling in 6 figure salaries. My friend at the plant works 12 hour shifts, but most of his time is spent in the machine shop making things for himself.

In terms of buying a house and toys, moving north to smaller communities will help as house prices are generally lower. Houses are expensive to maintain, I've owned a couple, and I am now a born again renter. No taxes, no maintenance, no worries about the markets, easy to move on, etc. I don't care about equity, if I saved what I would pay in taxes and upkeep, interest, and insurance, I think I would have a big pile of cash equity when I retire.

Come on up for a while if you want. Take a look around, I may be able to send you to the woods (I got a small job to do that you could come on).

[Adrock]

Thanks a lot for all the help guys. Obviously the decision isn't going to happen overnight, bu all of the info here is great and things I just couldn't come up with on my own. So thanks a lot.

James, seems like you really get where i'm coming from here. Honestly if I could get on as an apprentice somewhere decent I would do it in a second, (ie, not some massive company in the city that needs wire pullers for $8 an hour) I am going to look into electrical apprenticeships in more industry based communities, I have little attachment to the city at this point except a bunch of great friends. Moving to williams lake would be amazing considering I already have a friend or 2 there (ok james, you would be 2, but sounds like you might be packing it in soon.) Any idea how I could look into that apprenticeship?

I like your sailing plan. That sounds great, and being on the water is something i've always loved. I do at some point want to have a job that gets me home every night, which is why I'm thinking about this in the first place. (I may be home every night working in film, but having 10 hour turnaround driving from abbotsford to richmond doesn't really cut it as home time.)

Mark, real estate is something I would like to get into, and have considered a number of times, however i'm not quite sure what would set me apart from the rest of the "got my real estate license in 5 weeks guaranteed" realtors.

Also working in finances somewhere, financial planner, that kind of thing, I don't know much about it, but would be interested to hear what anyone has to say on the matter.

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it, and I can't wait to meet as many deli people as I can, you're all awesome.

[mark]

Just on the financial planner theme, you might want to consider the doing Canadian Securities Course (by the Canadian Securities Institute) -- its a very well-designed intro course for the field, and is set up as a correspondence course (took me about 3-4 months to complete during weekends and occasional evenings).

[BCDelica]

Hi Adam, sounds like your on the right track; search your brain and trust your gut feelings about what's right for you. Don't forget to use every single resource that's available to you, including some you may never think about. The newest idea suggested to me several months ago was calling employers (as many as possible) in any career I'm interested in and discussing it - not as a job search, but just as a possibility. Wow people, strangers, have been so helpful that I have decided on a career that suits me from these many hours of conversations. I agree that small town BC has a shortage of contractors, the entire Sunshine Coast has been desperate for contractors for almost two years now. My buddy with a small electrical company has been booked up too six months in advance! As a indication of how the trades have been doing here, trade company owners have been buying big, boy toys like crazy for the last two years.

Since you only have a dog as a dependent don't hesitate to take the adventure route as a career choice, you won't regret it.

I'm 40, with my oldest kid in collage and the middle child in grade 12 planning her secondary education now - and I have to decide on a career change now too. With a B.Sc Chemistry and a Petroleum technology diploma (I really try not to be a Cliff Klaven when it comes to all thing veggie), with two careers so far; a pulp and paper researcher, and cable guy - now wanting to embark on a new path (third times a charm right, and no moving to northern Alberta) I can relate to how you feel. I would also have visited you a few weeks ago but had to follow WCB's requests, I haven't received benefits for over three months so I'm willing to play ball with them now to receive cheques again. Ahhhhh, but traveling around BC in the Delica was the best for the economically depressed.

James; we are right there with you about the sailing around the world dream, or just South Pacific/Asia would do. The purchase of the capable craft can seem so far away, but if we have to sell everything - we may just one day. It really helps having a partner with the same dream, though she has never been on the open ocean for more then a day. Don't let go of that dream!

Eric, sounds like you and I in the same place - two kids at home, the house and the super active lifestyle (my wife and son are out for a jog right now, sob and I can't join them). Next time I'm in Vancouver I will call you up, both my baby sis and daughter live in Coquitlam.

Regards to ya all,
Kev

[Adrock]

Thanks kev, you are someone I really had in mind when I was asking this. I'm going to keep looking for that one thing that pops out and seems perfect for right now.

Hope you can come out soon, i'm back on the coast, so we should meet up next time you're around. I'm working a bit with the lighting thing now, but I should usually be free.

Have a good one guys, thanks again. Any other wisdom is greatly appreciated.

[spentinkootenays]

Not a Delica owner yet, but will be soon, hopefully my two two small rounds of copper are still worthy.

Why don't you come take a road trip out to the Kootenays? If you love the outdoors, mountain biking, golf, skiing, fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, curling, hockey, etc you will be in heaven. Not too many places where you can ski in the mornng and shoot 9 nine holes in the afternoon(Spring&Fall). Everything is with-in 20 minute drive. The weather is mild. House costs are still low, though they are starting to come in line with the rest of BC due to high demand from the large number of Baby Bomers moving here from the cities. You can still buy a nice 2-3 brdrm house with yard for 150k in the Trail, Fruitvale area. Most young guys here are in the trades, most can afford the toys and have dirt bikes, quads, boats, snowmobiles. If you are young, hard working and most rare these days, able to think for yourself, which from your initial post seems to be true, then you will be a commodity around here and will have no problem getting an apprenticeship in the trades.

I know Carpenters and Electricians (both residential and industrial) are high in demand. If you enjoy working outdoors, and have your grade 12 math & physics, a great opportunity would be to concider BC Hydro's Powerlineman apprenticeship. Might not be available around here but you'll make around $20/hr first year + overtime, the ones I know all make 6 figures at the end of the year. I was at a meeting last year with several utilities present and all of them were discussing that while 50% of the lineman in BC are going to be retiring in the next 5 years, the demand is going to increase, causing a huge shortage/demand. Nice thing abut the work too is that once trained and ticketed you can easily find work in the states & australia as they are in the same boat.

I moved here 7 years ago from Calgary when I was 26, hoping to find a change of lifestyle and have never looked back. Found a job in first week, met & moved in with my girlfriend with-in 2 months, now have 2 young boys, we built our own house 2 years ago, lots of great friends, fresh air, good water, mountains and trees.

If you come through and want a place to crash and a plate of food for your belly, your always welcome.

Spencer.

[Adrock]

you are definitely right about me... I love the kootenays and have even considered the PLT thing a few times. I spent 2 months in the winter in kimberley, and 3 months this summer, I've actually been there this year more than in Richmond. I love it there, and would move there in a second if the opportunity came up. My uncle lives in trail and kimberley, (works at the smelter then commutes on his 4 days off) I would definitely prefer kimberley to trail, I have some friends and family and I think if I made it to the kootenays it would be kimberley, unless it was nelson for school or fernie for the riding.

Thanks for the amazing offer. Next time i head through I'll let you know, it would be great to at least meet up and have a drink. Where exactly are you living? I'm getting to know the area pretty well.

[Adrock]

just a little more about that...

The reason I haven't jumped on the PLT thing is I don't have my physics and math 12. Lets just say I wasn't a sciences guy in high school. I also think I'd be better off getting my ticket as an electrician, then upgrading (not necessarily up... lateral move) to industrial, then basically just getting whatever tickets I can. There will always be electricity, and I will always be looking for something new and exciting.

Does anybody have any idea how to find companies looking for first year apprentices? I might be able to use my film experience to skip around 1000 hours of my first year hopefully, which would give me a bit of a leg up on other people starting out, unless of course the employer is just looking for cheap first year labour, but then i'd rather steer clear anyways. Any info on apprenticeships and the specifics would be great.

If you think getting math and physics and going for hte PLT thing is a better route let me know, but i think i'd like to have as many options as possible. But again, any ticket that has to do with electricity can be used to get my red seal really, so all suggestions welcome.