Where Are You Located & What Do You Do For A Living?

[erikk]

Exra, thanks for the advice. Yes, I have my universal EPA license refrigerant license. I also have my AHRI (ICE) residential/commercial hvac certification, a 5th class low pressure boiler license, and of course my school diploma.

The school did a good job with fundamentals and basics but didn't teach you enough to be doing everything on your own without learning on the job. Like I said, I'm even thinking of calling companies out of the phone book and offering to work for free until I gain enough experience to be of more use to them. Had I had it to do all over again I would have went to this other school because of the job placement. My school didn't do anything for you in that respect. I'm just sort of bummed right now that I won't be able to go to this other school. I had hopes that the government backed student loan would be enough to pay for the schooling. Don't see how these kids going to college pay for it because the dollar amount is the same that you can get from them regardless of where you are going to school or what you are going for.

Florida is screaming for AC guys but you gotta leave the Union controled rust belt

 

[gringo-vikingo]

I am in southwest Minnesota. Been detecting since 1983. Active duty Air Force 1972 to 1995. Currently the Quality Engineering Technician for a firm that manufactures high-frequency magnetic components and other goodies.

Brian

 

[JimmyCT]

Gunnar you earn your keep. You are running a whole farm and you are good person with a big heart. You also have great talent and skill in the pottery business. Keep your chin up bro. (only when your not detecting)

Cambridge MN, I have been uneployed for 6 years, I used to do tile ceramic , but I got a hernia and and because of that could not pay my taxes and the IRS had no mercy , I went out of busness, and got a job in a factory building heat exchangers then was layed off and started making pottery from granite rocks and local clays, i also worked in a forge making horse shoes and had to quit because my back was going out I have no unemployment , no disability nothing i have trapped gophers for bounty and lost my pottery bussnes in the crash, and now am a houshold servant i cook clean chop wood I lost my car 3 years ago but i ocasionally got to borrow one my only hope of getting out of my 6500.00 dept now is winning the lottery I have grown to like hunting woods and farm feilds, as i did this out of pure deperation for not having a car to get out and so far have made my best finds in a farm field and i am 49. a nobody and houshold servant ohh how the crown has fallen from my head.

 

[JimmyCT]

Critter,
You are one smart person. Reading through your posts you have amazing amounts of knowledge and abilities in the mechanic / electronics field. Maybe you have to side step to get where you want to go. How about customer service rep for a HVAC company? Like you mention: shadowing alongside a person that has been in the field for many years to get the experience. Look at small companies or even a one-man business. How about the sheetmetal end of the HVAC field? We are not all that far apart in age and I have switched careers several times and I am thinking to change again lol. I now work in social services and you would not believe the amount of people that I see on a daily basis that are unemployed ( majority of them are in their 30's and 40's). They have lost their home, cars, spouse, children etc due to the person loosing their job. You my friend are certainly not alone. This country is is a whirlpool flushing on down the porcelain. I am not trying to paint a bleak picture, I am letting you know you are nowhere alone in this mess. Will things pick up and get better? I truly believe it will. Don't ever give up and keep plugging along. Soon or later someone is going to "bite" and give you the opportunity. You are not a shy person and speak up for yourself.(which is a good thing) Even though we live in an "apply online" world, job hunters need to get out and expose themselves to businesses. Hang in there critter something is going to present itself to you where you least expect it. Seize the opportunity and learn all you can. Best of luck to you - Jim


It really sucks being my age and having nothing to show for my life. No house. No savings. No wife. No kids. On the other hand there are plenty of people my age and older who have had to switch careers in this day and age.

 

[radtech2012]

Critterhunter~
I have been where you are and if you persevere, you will succeed. I lost everything when the economy went south in 2008. Lost my business, then the wife walked out and filed bankruptcy, which forced me to file also. Lost all my tools, I had my truck and my three dogs. I studied my tail off to take the ACT test, like the SAT but it is better for non-traditional students like me. At the time, I was 52. I scored high enough to be accepted to Carolinas College of Health Sciences, which is now the #1 rated 2-year college in the country. They only take 18 students per year for their Radiologic Technology program. I went there because it is a hospital based college and had 100% job placement when I started. Well the guaranteed job placement disappeared within four months of starting school due to the economy. I graduated with honors as a Radiologic Technologist to work in the medical imaging department at hospitals or orthopedic offices. I was the treasurer of the PTK honor society, did volunteer work while in school just to get my face out there as a hard worker. After graduation, I could not find a job as every place wanted a minimum of 1-year experience and my age was against me. Six months after graduation there were two techs at a hospital where I did a clinical rotation that bothered their department manager enough that he gave me a chance as a PRN tech. PRN means

 

[RichW]

Have you considered moving to a different state? Some states are doing a lot better than others and have much lower unemployment.

 

[Critterhunter]

Thanks for all the support you guys. Always nice to hear the struggles of others to know I'm not alone in this bad economy and life's challenges. I can't afford to move to find greener pastures as far as the job situation is. I'm currently living with family which is a god send because I've be homeless otherwise.

Currently I'm at a point where I'm willing to work for free just to gain the needed experience in the HVAC field. I really don't know how other people have got their start in this field because nobody wants to talk to you with no experience. What blows my mind is that some of the guys I've talked to didn't even go to school for it. They started out as a helper and worked their way up, taking the EPA test on their own by just studying the book without going to a school.

I've had friends tell me that offering to work for free is illegal because of government guidelines. Don't see how that would be. Isn't that like being an unpaid internship or something? Don't know. All I know is I have to get my foot in the door somehow in this field. I have had a few (very few) interviews since graduating. I interview well, have a great cover letter and resume (I've had numerous people give me an opinion on it to be sure), and dress well for the interviews and all that. Really I've only had a hand full of interviews. Very hard to get them. Like I said, 99.9% of all the help wanted ads in this field want 5 to 10 years experience. I sent a resume to them anyway hoping they have an entry level position they aren't advertising.

 

[Critterhunter]

if we get a new prez, the economy will recover immediately.

I really believe this is true. They have been hating on business so much with threats of taxes and regulations that many businesses don't want to stick their neck out and risk hiring new people.

 

[Critterhunter]

Critterhunter, I am in PA. and i am a HVAC mechanic and have about 37 years experience and various papers etc. I am assuming you have a universal certificate for refrigerants which you need. Next time somebody asks you about your experience ask them where they got theirs and that will make them think.

I have asked techs that I see in gas stations and such with their van how they got their start. What blows my mind is that many of these guys didn't even go to school for it. They started out as helpers and installers and such and got their EPA license on their own. They moved up to become techs by on the job training. You would think that I would have a leg up on that and would be able to get an entry level or helper position because I already have some schooling. How did you get your start in this field? Did you go to school before getting a job or learn on the job and get schooling or certs as you went?

 

[lumacurve]

Hello all, I live in Hurst In southern IL. I love hunting the farm fields where old house sites used to be. Been detecting about 3 years now and still learning. I have be working airport maint. for the past 25 years. Other hobbies are R/C aircraft, 4 wheeling, and riding the motorcycle.

 

[matthias]

My name is Matt and I'm living in NE Pennsylvania right now. I'm an unemployed HVAC tech too. I like Critterhunter's 'work for free' idea...how better could you prove your commitment! Interesting thread...HH everyone. Matt

 

[Critterhunter]

Some people tell me that working for free is illegal. I would think it would be legal since there are unpaid internships and such at other jobs. I haven't floated the idea to companies yet but am considering it. Maybe I'll just tell them that I'm willing to work for minimum wage until I gain enough experience to be of better use to them.

My school did a good job of teaching the fundamentals. I got the highest grades in there but I still don't know enough to be doing this on my own. I need to work with somebody and learn as I go. Even still, with my certs and such I would think that would give me the advantage to getting an entry level job in it over somebody with no schooling. Like I said, some of the guys I've talked to didn't even go to school for it and learned on the job. They took the EPA exam on their own while working there. I already have a universal EPA license.

 

[mikeothmer]

Critterhunter; there are some possibilities for training that you may have not looked at. I got injured 23 years ago doing Tree work on my own. Crushed my left hand and arm. I worked with Vocational Rehabilitation to retrain and find another job. They will pay for the schooling if you qualify. There are many ways to qualify so don't count yourself out! The problem is it's a Government program and it moves slow. Be patient and do what they ask and they will retrain you and help you find a job or just help you find a job. They can open doors that I can't ! Call them and go talk to them ! You would be surprised at the programs available. This is why you pay taxes ! Business has the advantage right now and they take the line of thought that laborers are a dime a dozen and that they can always get someone else. This will change but I don't see it happening soon. Use all the advantages available to you ! Good Luck with your search !

 

[jyt2017]

Mass. I am currently employed. I am a coordinator of sorts. You might need to consider relocating for work. But there good news employers are doing more hiring now then they have in last 4 years. HH. GL. -Joe

 

[Mel Parker]

I live in Dacula Georgia a small town about 45 miles N.E. of Atlanta. I have been in the hobby since 1975 and was the owner of "North Georgia Detector Sales" for over 20 years. I started in electronics in 1957 and built my first metal detector in 1975 and have been hooked on the hobby ever since. In the early days I attended competition treasure hunts all over the country and even won the national title once. I'm to old for that now so I concentrate on relic hunting in the winter and lake and ocean hunting in the summer...man I love the ocean.
I'm RETIRED NOW but this is how I earned a living in years past.

SUPERVISOR ELECTRICIANS / TECHNICIANS

Responsible for all Electrical maintenance and machine modifications.
Supervised a team of 27 Electricians and Technicians in the copper
manufacturing area.

.

SUPERVISOR MAINTENANCE / FIBER MANUFACTURING
Participated in the creation and development of the Light Guide Maintenance
organization.

. Helped co-ordinate the staffing of the maintenance organization.
. Provided the training programs
. Supervised the activity of the tradesmen during the prove-in
and setup processes.
. Helped develop the Calibration and Preventive Maintenance
programs for Light Guide manufacturing.
. Interviewed, tested, and selected Electricians, Pipefitters, and Technicians
to meet staffing requirements.




ELECTRICIAN Atlanta Works (Western Electric)


Responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of all electrical
production equipment, relative to the manufacture of Fiber and Copper cable.
Utilized proficient trouble - shooting skills and technical knowledge to maintain
production equipment.





GENERAL ELECTRIC (Instrumentation Div.) Chamblee, Ga.

Technician and trouble - shooter for the southeast region of
the United States. Responsible for repair of equipment beyond
the scope of customer

 

[BeachBum007]

Santa cruz california....stone mason

 

[elki1052]

hey BeachBum007, I lived in Salinas Ca. for 15 years, I use to go work at the area of Los gatos, the Montere-Seaside area, Watsonville, castroville... hooo good memories,
Abel

 

[Mel Parker]

It's a small world. I was raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Ilived in Seaside, Monterey and Carmel. I'm a graduate of Monterey High School class of 63.

 

[mudpuppy]

Critterhunter, You actually have a great opportunity,,,no family, house, kids, or job...you are at the right age to be responsible, and you have at least a degree that is of a technical nature... head on up to ND and just start introducing yourself to any construction type guys you find...somebody will put you to work..you may have to rough it, but if you can work hard and show up everyday, no telling what can happen good for you.

Back in the recession of the early 80's I lost everything, except the wife, 2yr old daughter, a 300 dollar plymouth volare station wagon. I dug graves with a shovel and wheelbarrow for 100 bucks a hole in MN, then a water line construction guy was looking for experienced diggers, and hired me as a ditch boy for 4.50 per hour, we lived in a pop-up camper, I got good at fixing broken backhoes, dumptrucks, bobcats, etc. Then a different company was looking for a field service hydraulic guy, and then they were looking for somebody to train their sales guys about hydraulic equipment, funny how it all tied together, from digging graves, all you can do is go up from there! Theres lots of good people in this Country that help honest, hardworking, trustworthy, cheerful workers, dont wait on the govt though! Show up with a smile and keep doing it everyday. Good luck.
Mud

 

[Birdseed]

Critterhunter

Now retired, worked for 30 years in the Power Industry, (EHV Substations). Previous to that, in underground mining.

I have posted before about my working life on this forum. In short, I was always prepared to move house if the employment prospects were better. I worked in remote locations to gain experience and I always listened to what my employer wanted. My manager once told me that skills can always be taught but attitude cannot.

I always accepted training, tried to give my best and asked questions if I wasn't sure.

My life motto " Do unto others------------------------" worked for me


Pete downunder