I understand what you're saying, Apollo. But you're 22, right? Let's say it would take you 3-4 years to complete a course and training in machine technology, which would give you the necessary skills to run and lightly program a CNC machine like the ones in that piece. In 3-4 years, you'd be 25-26 if you did it. But if you don't do it, you'll still be 25-26 in 3-4 years, right? The difference will be, you'd have a very marketable skill that would give you options that you wouldn't otherwise have.
Yes, it takes some time and a great deal of determination to re-train yourself if you're working a full time job already. I started my MBA while I was waiting for a non-compete agreement to expire, but I completed it
after I started working for another bank. And having also taken classes in machine technology and CAD/CAM myself (while I was working rather long hours and a stressful job), I can tell you that the MBA was a
hell of a lot harder on my head than taking those basic machine tech and CAD/CAM courses. But if we want options in life, we simply have to do what is necessary to make that happen. I didn't want to return to banking and this was what I felt I had to do to make myself more marketable in the manufacturing sector. In order to consult and give advice on how a manufacturing operation should be run or restructured, I knew that it was necessary for me to have some deeper understanding of the manufacturing processes within the companies that I wanted to work for. OK, so I didn't get a job with Cosworth or Ilmor. But one of the first projects I ever worked on was for a Ferrari supplier. So I was OK with that.
As for costs, there are scholarships and grants. Plus, you don't need a four year engineering degree to get one of these jobs. It wouldn't hurt you, but as the piece said, it is not necessary. A two year degree or certificate from a community or junior college, or an accredited vocational/trade school, is sufficient. What are we talking for that,
maybe $10K-15K? So $10K-$15K in upfront costs to get a non-supervisory floor job where you can make $60K+/year vs. a vanishing, lower skilled job where you might make $35K/year? Sit on your ass and run a robot or CNC vs. lifting boxes all day long? Easy choice, yeah? :dunno: What employers
really want is someone who will show up on time,
every day, and be ready to hit the ground running. This is no bullshit... not a week goes by that I couldn't get a well trained, dependable person a job in a manufacturing facility somewhere in the south east. Either a job as an electrician/maintenance man (or woman), a CNC programmer/operator, a CAD/CAM programmer, a manufacturing or quality engineer, a supervisor... and most recently, even a plant manager. I don't hire and fire. But if I want you, HR will generally follow my suggestions. And if I really want you gone, I can also make you disappear with my magic wand too. But it is so, so hard to find well trained people who really are ready to go on Day 1. So many applicants can barely read & write these days and have math skills that are almost laughable. We won't even talk about them not seeing the importance of showing up for work on time every day.
I've given this speech to my young cousin for 4 or 5 years now. I even bought the silly little shit a laptop to encourage him to focus on math, science, robotics... anything technical! That's where the jobs are now and that's where they'll be going forward. But he doesn't pay any attention to me either. As far as I know, he's only used the computer to play video games and chit-chat on
FecesBook and
Tweeter. His little girlfriend has perky tits and long legs. So he pays more attention to whatever she tells him than
anything I say. Then he'll ask me how much my XK8 cost!
Do it, Apollo. Do it! Partisan morons, like Fisher, are trying to spread the lie that there are no jobs in the U.S. and all the jobs are leaving because of Obama. The fiscal cliff is definitely having an affect on hiring
right now. But there
are jobs... for people who have the skills. I'm out there every day. This, if nothing else, I do know about! Time passes you by faster than you realize right now. Invest in yourself, Citizen Apollo! :thumbsup:
