Reply to Thread

dirt bikes , boxing , fighting and football got me too!!!!!

Im 46 but it was dirt bikes that got me .

I am 47!

i hurt everywhere!

Originally Posted by zw17

Great post.

I would like to add that after 20yrs in this trade seeing guys come and go, I have seen exactly one old timer retire without some sort of health issue, every other guy I have seen at that age has had a bad back, a bum knee, or worse.

Ncboston is absolutely correct, your body will fail you long before your mind will.

Always entertaining threads.

Thanks a lot guys.

Originally Posted by ncboston

You'll see many different opinions and good natured advice in response to your question. My advice is 'think where you want to be in 30 years'.
My stepson told me several years ago he wanted to get into the local electricians union (Boston). He was looking at the big bucks, and all the other good stuff that comes with being in the union. My response was 'go to college, major in electrical engineering, get a degree, and then go be an electrician'.
I also told him that one day, when he reaches the age of 50, he'll look around and say 'what the hell am I doing with all these hammerheads?'

My point is, leave yourself options, one day your body is going to wear out, and you'll wish you had a more traditional education to fall back on.
This is a good trade, with many of opportunities: do what you have to do NOW to position yourself where you want to be in 20 or 30 years.

Great post.

I would like to add that after 20yrs in this trade seeing guys come and go, I have seen exactly one old timer retire without some sort of health issue, every other guy I have seen at that age has had a bad back, a bum knee, or worse.

Ncboston is absolutely correct, your body will fail you long before your mind will.

x2

Originally Posted by ncboston

You'll see many different opinions and good natured advice in response to your question. My advice is 'think where you want to be in 30 years'.
My stepson told me several years ago he wanted to get into the local electricians union (Boston). He was looking at the big bucks, and all the other good stuff that comes with being in the union. My response was 'go to college, major in electrical engineering, get a degree, and then go be an electrician'.
I also told him that one day, when he reaches the age of 50, he'll look around and say 'what the hell am I doing with all these hammerheads?'

My point is, leave yourself options, one day your body is going to wear out, and you'll wish you had a more traditional education to fall back on.
This is a good trade, with many of opportunities: do what you have to do NOW to position yourself where you want to be in 20 or 30 years.

You'll see many different opinions and good natured advice in response to your question. My advice is 'think where you want to be in 30 years'.
My stepson told me several years ago he wanted to get into the local electricians union (Boston). He was looking at the big bucks, and all the other good stuff that comes with being in the union. My response was 'go to college, major in electrical engineering, get a degree, and then go be an electrician'.
I also told him that one day, when he reaches the age of 50, he'll look around and say 'what the hell am I doing with all these hammerheads?'

My point is, leave yourself options, one day your body is going to wear out, and you'll wish you had a more traditional education to fall back on.
This is a good trade, with many of opportunities: do what you have to do NOW to position yourself where you want to be in 20 or 30 years.

Apprenticeship

Guaranteed job as long as you can cut it in this trade
Great schooling
Little to no cost to you
Earn while you learn

Originally Posted by supertek65

remember
all that either will do is help get you your first job!

if you can get a job without it, go that way
you can always go to night school!

I never would have paid 20-50k for a tech school!!!!!!!!!!

The "pilot mills" say you can co from zero to hero for a paltry 60K!

x2

Originally Posted by ncboston

Consider which will be more beneficial over the long run. Vocational program will get you in the trade. Community college will get you a degree, with opportunities to further your education (as in Ferris State).

Consider which will be more beneficial over the long run. Vocational program will get you in the trade. Community college will get you a degree, with opportunities to further your education (as in Ferris State).

remember
all that either will do is help get you your first job!

if you can get a job without it, go that way
you can always go to night school!

I never would have paid 20-50k for a tech school!!!!!!!!!!

community college is usually better!
usually!
dont know the schools in your area!

if you can go one more year for a better and cheaper education?
do it!
if not do the tech school!

Thanks for your comments. I understand I will have to put my all into either of the programs. Taking notes, reading manuals and books.

I am wondering which will offer the better education. I'm also wondering if community college, if better.. will it be worth the extra year of schooling?

If you're not going to apply yourself then both are a waste of your money and the instructors time. If you get into an apprecentiship you will have to dicipline yourself to read the books and stay up to speed as the program is like a moving train with no time for stragglers. Your study ethic will determine your work ethic and there is no easy route.

dangled that 25k carrot within the first 3 paragraphs, unfortunately that's all many will ever see in that flyer.

education of any form is based on " you get out of it what you put into it"

Vocational School or Community College?

I know I've already asked this question a few times, but I'm looking for some more advice.

I am trying to figure out which of the two choices, would put me in a better position to learn all that I can about this trade. I eventually want to get into a apprenticeship program. I would like to work on bigger equipment, rather than residential.

I already went to this vocational school in high school(listed below), and I must say, it wasn't the best. I could be wrong though. I didn't really apply myself and take the book home and read it, as I should have. However, we did get a lot of hands on time with basic residential equipment. I'm wondering if this community college would offer more? (listed below) I read that you will get experience with both residential and commercial equipment at this community college.

Which one would be more worth my time? I was told in a previous thread the community college would be the best route, I just can't justify spending two years in school if a vocational program would offer nearly the same amount of knowledge and job opportunities.

Please and thank you .



Community College program:
https://www.hvcc.edu/catalog/programs/eit/hrs.html

Vocational School:
http://capitalregionboces.org/Career...rams/hvacr.cfm