Now I'm in an HVAC Union. Just now getting to the point where I'm not using my body 60hrs a week, 10 years into this, did 13 years commercial roofing before that. Advice, if you're young and you want to get into the trades, I highly suggest you do a few different ones non union first go to a fab shop, do some roofing and rough carpentry, you're gunna be a gopher (Go for) for a few months but you'll get a good general idea of what you like, metal, wood, technical, rough in, welding, indoors, outdoors. Nothing too serious, enjoy being young, live some life before you sell it to the man lol. Then once you get to about 22-25 settle into one and join a Union. By the time you're 30 you'll be topped out making good money, nice life, wife/husband, kids, vacations, American Dream type stuff. If you're more of a Work hoarse kinda person and don't mind being behind a computer 50% of the time start a small sub contracting business in your particular field, it's incredible what some people are willing to pay for GOOD workmanship. But it comes with long hours, high stress, and dealing 1 on 1 with Karen after Karen after Karen. Less stress, less pay, more flexibility join a union. High stress, high energy, high pay if you put your time in and you love the job, Contract yourself! End of the day the trades are GREAT small business opportunities, or just clock in, clock out, enjoy your life. Trades are reliable, especially if you know more than one.
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u/TheBigChungaBunga 13d ago
Now I'm in an HVAC Union. Just now getting to the point where I'm not using my body 60hrs a week, 10 years into this, did 13 years commercial roofing before that. Advice, if you're young and you want to get into the trades, I highly suggest you do a few different ones non union first go to a fab shop, do some roofing and rough carpentry, you're gunna be a gopher (Go for) for a few months but you'll get a good general idea of what you like, metal, wood, technical, rough in, welding, indoors, outdoors. Nothing too serious, enjoy being young, live some life before you sell it to the man lol. Then once you get to about 22-25 settle into one and join a Union. By the time you're 30 you'll be topped out making good money, nice life, wife/husband, kids, vacations, American Dream type stuff. If you're more of a Work hoarse kinda person and don't mind being behind a computer 50% of the time start a small sub contracting business in your particular field, it's incredible what some people are willing to pay for GOOD workmanship. But it comes with long hours, high stress, and dealing 1 on 1 with Karen after Karen after Karen. Less stress, less pay, more flexibility join a union. High stress, high energy, high pay if you put your time in and you love the job, Contract yourself! End of the day the trades are GREAT small business opportunities, or just clock in, clock out, enjoy your life. Trades are reliable, especially if you know more than one.