Career question

[Gordon Claunch]

I am going to be out of work as of Tuesday, The oil refinery I work at is closing their gates.
I am considering going back to school, I am tired of the Oil business, this is twice in 4 years this damn place has closed, the first time I transferred to Texas and then came back home to be around family,and now here we are again!!
I am considering going to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist because medical seems to be pretty much bulletproof it is an 18 month program, but I am open to other things as well, I can get by for around 2 years on my savings before I would get to an uncomfortable level, just wondering if any of you guys were going to start over , what would you look into??

Any ideas are very much appreciated!!

[J. T. Toad]

Good luck with where ever you venture, but I must question the "bulletproof" adjective.

[Ron61]

Gordon,

Sorry to hear about you losing your job. But I agree with Bill about the medical profession being Bullet Proof right now. A couple of doctors here have retired early and the hospitals are laying off people right and left. I really don't know of any field except one that could be called Bullet Proof right now and that is if you want to become a politician. Before the economy crashed I would have said that either becoming a mechanic trained on the new electronic controlled motors or learning about computers in the medical field as the heart monitors and all that type stuff keep getting better and requiring more expert people to both make and repair them.
Whatever you come up with I wish you all the best. Right now is really a difficult time to decide on a career.

Ron

[Gordon Claunch]

I just figure people will always be sick and in this valley in particular!!

[Wes Tausend]

...

Gordon,

Since you are already in the energy industry, how about trying to stay in it? You probably know even more about it in a general sense than you think. You are already ahead of this game.

I know it might seem repugnent now, but the world will continue to need vast quantities of energy as Rule #1 even if all the other rules change. I like T. Boone Pickens approach.

There will be some opportunities opening in the "green" sector if you can stomach the "green" connotation. Mostly, America will seek energy solutions within our own borders, including petroleum, but relying more on, first efficiency, and then coal, wind, solar and nuclear.

We have a great school system in the responsible and conservative state of North Dakota, including excellent college Energy Tech courses right here in Bismarck (that used to be a Junior College that I attended in the 1960's). Later(1970's) I took some of the first technical classes (electronics) that they offered. The key is that I believe they now offer all online if you've got the moxie to stay with it. Stay home in California and study here in ND or another similar state.

Good luck in your search.

Wes


...

[joe g]

being in medical sales for the past 30 years you rarely see any downturn. Even now our sales continue to grow, if slower than in the past. I HAVE NEVER heard of a RT getting laid off, EVER. Only thing that would bother me is its a nasty messy job as far as working in a hospital etc. What i mean is the lungs get messy as you no and for me i could not stand all the crap coming up from the therapy. Rightnow with all of us getting older the need will only get greater.
joeg

[cobra de capell]

Go with the flow - lots of baby boomers (like most posters here) are nearing retirement - they will have lots of medical issues - it's the Family Care Doctors who are having a hard time money a buck or two, not specialist and other medical personnel that work in the field.

By the way, there is no safe industries anymore.....

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Don't know about your neck of the woods, but in mine (central Louisiana) all the hospitals are advertising for varouis positions......they can't get enough trained personnel..... One friend's wife did exactly what you are talking about doing at 35 years old and a month before she finished school she had a job!!!!!!!!!

Another buddies son and daughter in-law are both registered nurses and after doing 18 months in west Texas, they moved back here.... They were offered jobs at the first five hospitals they contacted and took their time and negotiated and both got the hours/days/pay they wanted.....

If I had any kids coming up, I would steer them to most anything in the medical profession........JMHO....

David

[wtm442]

Medical or computer fields are best bet. How about fixing sick computers?

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by wtm442

Medical or computer fields are best bet. How about fixing sick computers?

Two great fields with a shortage of talent.

My son is at Texas Tech.Entered as a 2nd semester Freshman.
He is Majoring in Computer Science. At his 4th week there,2 1/2 weeks ago,he was offered a job with a $15k signing bonus and $3k a month to work part time.15 hours a week. Local company needing help.
While attending Tech full time.

Sure something to think about if you like computers.

[Paul F]

Many who got laid off from telecommuncations in my neck of the woods had to switch careers. Most with many years in electronics and with degrees. Many went back to school. Some just found something new. One did go to school for resperatory therapy and is now employed. I don't know if he likes it. He doesn't sound thrilled about it, but he didn't have to move and has steady work.
Other career moves locally have been junior college teacher, meter reader, bus driver, survey technician, ATM machine repair person, Home Depot, history teacher, security systems design, start a pickle company, real estate. So, just about anything.

[Madmiles442]

With the aging population of the baby boomers, health care will continue to be busy the rest of our working lives (I'm assuming you're older than 30). Check out the website job postings of hospitals in CA or in TX or, for that matter, anywhere. They're hiring like crazy.
It may not be "bullet-proof" but healthcare certainly is recession resistant. And the number of folks in the healthcare education pipeline is SO underwhelming! They will be in need for years!
If you can skate for 2 years on savings, you're in a perfect position for this economy. Others are diving out, getting their MBA's, you can get your RT and when the economy comes back in 18 months then you'll be ready to pick and choose where you want to be.
I have 22 years in another field, so I envy your flexible position.

[RICK LAKE]

Gordon Like you this is the 2nd GM dealership that has had to layoff people. Again being the last "A" hired, I was the first to go. Worst part is I out worked the rest week in and out. Took the time to help everyone in the garage. The slugs with 2 year there and do nothing get to stay. The A$$ kissing in the place is unreal. I was going to ask my boss how he can take a crap with the 3 hemoriods on his butt. This week another guy is getting cut. Anyway Gordon I was looking at the solar industry for work and the problem is that there are no colleges teaching these courses on the east coast. I would have to move to the southwest for 2 years. The company here in Bridgewater is looking for people and starting money is $85,000.00-$87,000.00 for the first 90 days. After this mid 90's and over 100K for a foreman. At my age, I am having enough trouble keeping up withthe new cars and trucks and computor systems. There are companies lining up in Cali needing guys in this field. I am getting to old for roof hanging but all the ground work is very doable. Good luck in your search Rick L. 2 dealerships are closing each week in NJ. The ones that make it through the next year are GOLD.Ps I have had 4 friends go into the nursing field and within 3 years they have all quit and found something else. Burnout and DEATH everyday where the causes. 1 is dead from drugs, 2 are AA for life, Bob is unknown. He left wife and kids with house and money, went to airport and flew away. no info as to where. This was 2 years ago. He left with a nice life insurance policy for the family. They are still fighting for the money. Bad deal all the way around. Watch MASH and see if that show bothers you. That's what you are looking at. Not trying to depress you, but show the REAL cold hard issues of a hospital.

[trularin]

If I may add to these comments.

I also teach at night and have found that I am being asked to teach mostly service industry material. With the exception of a minor class in a single topic like Automotive Interfacing for Embedded comtrollers, I see just about anything in the service industry a safe bet.

Medcial will always be a field that has a demand.

However, you will want to look at your age and location to best suit your studies. Additionally, there are an assortment of grants and "breaks" since you are going to be unemployed and in school. One does not offset the other.

Unless they have changed the rules, they want to know if you are in school and getting an unemployment check at the same time. Check on this before you make your situation known.

Just my $0.02 worth.

PM me if you have questions.

[Ron61]

Originally Posted by joe g

being in medical sales for the past 30 years you rarely see any downturn. Even now our sales continue to grow, if slower than in the past. I HAVE NEVER heard of a RT getting laid off, EVER. Only thing that would bother me is its a nasty messy job as far as working in a hospital etc. What i mean is the lungs get messy as you no and for me i could not stand all the crap coming up from the therapy. Rightnow with all of us getting older the need will only get greater.
joeg

Joe,

You have not been to this hospital here that has had problems since the late 70s and should have been turned into a housing development. Sued numerous times for non required surgeries, including heart bypasses and transplants. Four Administrators just vanished without anyone even knowing they were quiting. ALL personnel including doctors , nurses and trainees have been fired at least twice. The latest mess just this past 8 months is some outfit from another area bought it and was going to make it a for profit only one and they would not accept any of the insurance companies that people around are insured with so that got rid of the working people. And once again, they fired every person working there and started over with their own people. Three weeks ago their own Administrator they brought in just didn't show up for work and they have no idea of where he is. In the meantime the other hospital has grown into a virtual city and is hiring good people. So don't make a blanket statement about no RT ever getting laid off. I admit this is an exception to ever hospital know to mankind, but things do happen to all type of people. In this case rightfully so. Two doctors that I used to play racquetball with worked there and both quit long before the crap hit the fan and left for other areas and both told me that that place was going to be a mess due to their ethics and practices.

Ron

[Gordon Claunch]

Thanks guy's for all the help, I have been at this refinery for 23 years, good pay for someone like me with just a high school education, six figures are attainable, but I don't like overtime at this point in my life, I am 51 yrs old.

I would like something more rewarding, I would really like something that is daylights with weekends off, but probably won't find it.

I know someone will come in and buy this refinery again and I will get called back, might be 6 months, I was lucky to get to stay here this long, as the layoffs started 2 months ago and even though it is union they didn't follow seniorty list ,but I made it down to the last 6 people in the skeleton crew out of 300 based upon job need, I am a control room board operator who just does his job.

I have even thought about Paralegal, maybe Jamo would hire me!!

[Bobcat]

I have a few comments about the Healthcare/hospital "industry" . One of my daughters has worked as the nurse/PA for two I.D. Doctors for almost 15 years and I`ve gotten to know both of them well ... and also several Doctors who I go to Church with . If the Obama Socialist healthcare program goes into effect , most of these Doctors I know have said they will hang it up as they want nothing to do with the Government telling them how to run their practices . Yes , I know four Doctors aren`t representative of the whole country , but I have to believe there are enough that believe that way that there will be a shortage of Doctors in the near future . Looks like a PA who can do 80 to 85 % of what a Doctor can do is a possible alternative for those young enough to retrain .... but be advised , you will probably have the Government as your boss .
I also know some of the WalMarts are putting "clinics " in some of their stores now ..... and I`m not commenting on the quality of what you may or may not get there .... just making an observation .
Computers ? Yes ... anything technical , as most of the "schooling" today turns out people who have no technical training/education .... and if you do ... good for you !

[Wes Tausend]

...

Bobcat brings up an interesting point that I wasn't going to mention. I, too, think there may be a US "health-care" bubble that is also poised to burst.

Recently, I tried some Chiropractic sessions to increase my range of motion. They were given by a nice young man who shared some of his brief history in the business. He related how much it had cost to buy a used later model of X-ray machine and other equipment for his office, plus lease costs etc. Of course it was pretty expensive and he was counting his beans pretty close.

He had plans to build a moderate sized house and already bought the lot at firesale prices. With care, and a bit of headache, acting as ones own contractor can save thousands, perhaps 20-40%, and he was prepared to do this.

As with many young families, there is a horrific outlay to get started since most start with nothing or very little. An additional cost was his firstborn was due very shortly. Since he was self-employed with minimal insurance, he was going to pay most of the birth out-of-pocket. One of the ideas he had to save money and give the finest attention to the child was to try to keep the child overnight in the hospital room instead of the nursery, also avoiding a hefty nursery charge. When told that a pricy nursing attendent would be required, he said that he would serve that role. The hospital relented but wanted $1500 for him to stay the night. Everyone was to go home the following day, barring complications, of course.

One can rent a hotel room far cheaper than a hospital room and a little extra plumbing shouldn't account for the vast difference. America has twice as good as care as some 3rd world countries, but costs ten times as much. With the most expensive health-care in the world, we are not tops in low infant mortality rates and many other aspects. It's embarrassing.

The reason there is a shortage of help is they are now underpaid (overtime pay recently vanished) and overworked, so the money is not going here. Like the banking crunch and the majority of modern corporate management, somebody at the top is walking away with billions and I think the wad is about to hit the fan. The situation is truly outrageous and I can hardly believe anyone here thinks it's OK the way it is now.

Health-care, like refineries, might not be a great place to be when it hits the fan. Food for thought.

Wes


...

[redredspin17]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If I were you I would go for 18month program. You'll be able to figure out fast if for some reason there will no chance in this industry in your area -- in case you need to switch programs or something drastic.

In the meantime though, since you are okay with your savings, I would recommend finding part time work during your training, even taking community college classes in another field, like IT, because in this economy you want to not only be certified, but versatile, in case things change in the future.