Too old to start a new career?

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So next year I'll be looking for a new job(most likely).  I'll be 44 by then.  Would it be too late for me to considered getting certified and changing careers?
Reply:It is never too late to better yourself.
Reply:Good luck. Most welding jobs down here require a year's paid experience. Even helper jobs.That having been said, it's still better than what I was doing before I got into welding.Currently working as a Paralegal, but still interested in hobby welding.Miller Bobcat 225ntOne- Character Fractions: ¼ ½ ¾ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞
Reply:Originally Posted by NHDanOSo next year I'll be looking for a new job(most likely).  I'll be 44 by then.  Would it be too late for me to considered getting certified and changing careers?
Reply:Originally Posted by NHDanOSo next year I'll be looking for a new job(most likely).  I'll be 44 by then.  Would it be too late for me to considered getting certified and changing careers?
Reply:Start a new career at any stage of life, as long as you dont expect to get paid the same, biggest issues is getting past the bias people have towards older people (not that that will be a problemat your age, more for those in their late 50's and early 60's.
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomBnow a days if you can pass a hair drug test and show up for work every day on time you are 99% there getting a good stable job
Reply:This was pretty common, do your twenty in military and then do another twenty at a job that offered a pension. Retire with two healthy checks.
Reply:Thanks everyone for the response.
Reply:So once you are out of school it takes a good four years of full time experience to be considered reliable. If you think you can sacrifice those 4 years, then I would say yes. The country is going in the crapper, so you may as well benifit from it cause there is not enough go-getters to get the job done right. Just look at the Oakland/Bay bridge fiasco.As far as the school comment, I used to consider those years as experience. Not anymore. I have come to the realization that 80% of the knowledge needed cannot be taught in a school environment. Only real world working experience prepares you for real world welding, whether it be structural, aerospace, maintenance, or general construction. I can't  tell you how many times I hired a "certified" school graduate that could not read a print, tack a joint within tolerance, set up a welding machine per WPS, peen a weld, measure an angle, and most importantly find the hypotenuse of a right triangle. Don't even start me on trig tables. Then there is work ethic. Most schoolers have no problem just standing around watching other bear the burden of work. I know, it is a school thing. Showing up on time or even a little early is another pet peeve of mine. I tell them "If you are early you are on time. If you are on time you are are late. And if you are late, you are fired".Nowadays you have the whole bullying thing is confusing. In the welding world, get used to being shouted at. It is part of the safe working environment. Directing work in a forthright commanding tone gets the job done, and it is not bullying. Us old guys(older than you get tired and cranky). Some kids can't handle it. Get yourself in good physical shape. A weldor is a finely tuned metal melting machine. You look like a weak lazy slob and you will be treated like one.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by guajilloweld03This was pretty common, do your twenty in military and then do another twenty at a job that offered a pension. Retire with two healthy checks.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonJust look at the Oakland/Bay bridge fiasco.
Reply:Never stop learning, go for it!
Reply:Go for it man! http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanVery common.  Same for many state and local employees.OP, what is your current occupation?  Why considering welding for your future?Jerry
Reply:Originally Posted by NHDanOSo next year I'll be looking for a new job(most likely).  I'll be 44 by then.  Would it be too late for me to considered getting certified and changing careers?
Reply:Originally Posted by NHDanOI am currently a Instrument and Controls Technician in the nuclear industry.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonSo once you are out of school it takes a good four years of full time experience to be considered reliable. If you think you can sacrifice those 4 years, then I would say yes. The country is going in the crapper, so you may as well benifit from it cause there is not enough go-getters to get the job done right. Just look at the Oakland/Bay bridge fiasco.
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Not enough go-getters, or not enough "experienced" go- getters?From this, I get the feeling that you're one of those employers who only hires "experienced" workers. Just like all the other employers. I get that. It's easier to complain about how badly the schools are educating us and why there's so few qualified workers, than it is to put in a bit of effort to train us in what we need to know.Unfortunately, if the way it got modeled in World of Warcraft has as much bearing on the real world as the time it accidentally modeled a spreading pandemic, it's not something that's ever going to self- correct. It's definitely going to require government intervention, like it did in WOW. I can explain more, but I'm not sure how interested you'd be in comparing raid leaders hiring players for a boss fight in a video game, to managers hiring people in real life.Sounds like you're only hiring rich kids whose parents could afford them to take a few years off school to get an unpaid internship. The ones you want are the ones like me, whose applications never reach your desk because the robo- screener kicked them out. We don't have experience, but we're willing to work if you're willing to help us get where you need us to be.Not that I really expect you to understand the issue. Most of the older generation doesn't.As for "show up early or get fired," how early? And do you expect us to work a certain number of hours after you've already knocked off? I knew a guy who required his workers to be working two hours before he arrived, and two hours after, and considered it a single shift. He worked 6 AM to 7 PM, six days a week. I also know of Army troops who would be in formation in their alphas at 0645, for a parade that wouldn't start until noon.And would you be willing to work with someone who might not be able to be there on time, but would be willing to stay late to make up for it?Most of the time, you can get more done with a tap on the shoulder, than screaming at the top of your lungs.
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderteh;  world of warcraft? being an old guy i had to google it. one way to get experience is to put time into the job instead of the video games. another is to get to the job early and utilize the company equipment to practice welding,cutting or making widgets. if you can't get to work on time that alone speaks volumes on your work ethic.  the older generation has done what they need to do and are where they need to be. just do what they did and you'll be ok.
Reply:i see all the time company looking for people who can pass a drug test, show up on time and need no training. everybody needs some training even if to be shown where stuff is and to learn the company way of doing stuff..i see it more in CNC machining where there are people retired and then boss wants another operator to run his normal machine and take training on a 2nd machine and run both at the same time. like CNC has 2000 page operator manual and one mistake can easily damage a $2,000,000. CNC and of course a crash happens then boss acts surprised and blames the trainee for not being smart enough or good enough.only skills shortage is boss who refuses to pay enough money and recognize the need for a month or 2 of training no matter what experience you have had before.  a good example is a company having slang names for stuff or not industry standard names for stuff. for example one company calling oversize taps green taps cause they have always painted them green. green tap dont mean much to anybody else. just saying all companies have ways of doing things they take time to learn..old timers do stuff from memory. like setup fixture to 4. ten different machinist think that means use fixture number 4 yet it actually means a fixture that has 4 different possible position on a steel plate set at hole number 4. totally different meaning. or set tool comp .990 and part comes loose and is scrap then find out it means set tool comp to .990 on 2nd cut meaning manually rerun program section a 2nd time. just saying i see all the time new guy struggling to do jobs. usually cause nothing written down or clearly explained that average person can understand. boss often has no ideal often how a lot of jobs are running that way until old timer retires and is gone and he then finds he has trouble finding replacement employees.Last edited by WNY_TomB; 01-29-2016 at 02:15 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelon You look like a weak lazy slob and you will be treated like one.
Reply:Originally Posted by NHDanOI am currently a Instrument and Controls Technician in the nuclear industry.
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603As for "show up early or get fired," how early? And do you expect us to work a certain number of hours after you've already knocked off? I knew a guy who required his workers to be working two hours before he arrived, and two hours after, and considered it a single shift. He worked 6 AM to 7 PM, six days a week.
Reply:I was in law enforcement for almost 19 years and switched jobs. I always have liked welding and did some at home then I decided to make the switch. I went to school and worked my a$$ off and now I am welding at American Augers in West Salem, Ohio best thing I ever did. Its a big change I am still learning and getting better each day.Good luckWadeOriginally Posted by teh603Not enough go-getters, or not enough "experienced" go- getters?From this, I get the feeling that you're one of those employers who only hires "experienced" workers. Just like all the other employers. I get that. It's easier to complain about how badly the schools are educating us and why there's so few qualified workers, than it is to put in a bit of effort to train us in what we need to know.Unfortunately, if the way it got modeled in World of Warcraft has as much bearing on the real world as the time it accidentally modeled a spreading pandemic, it's not something that's ever going to self- correct. It's definitely going to require government intervention, like it did in WOW. I can explain more, but I'm not sure how interested you'd be in comparing raid leaders hiring players for a boss fight in a video game, to managers hiring people in real life.Sounds like you're only hiring rich kids whose parents could afford them to take a few years off school to get an unpaid internship. The ones you want are the ones like me, whose applications never reach your desk because the robo- screener kicked them out. We don't have experience, but we're willing to work if you're willing to help us get where you need us to be.Not that I really expect you to understand the issue. Most of the older generation doesn't.As for "show up early or get fired," how early? And do you expect us to work a certain number of hours after you've already knocked off? I knew a guy who required his workers to be working two hours before he arrived, and two hours after, and considered it a single shift. He worked 6 AM to 7 PM, six days a week. I also know of Army troops who would be in formation in their alphas at 0645, for a parade that wouldn't start until noon.And would you be willing to work with someone who might not be able to be there on time, but would be willing to stay late to make up for it?Most of the time, you can get more done with a tap on the shoulder, than screaming at the top of your lungs.
Reply:Originally Posted by NHDanOSo next year I'll be looking for a new job(most likely).  I'll be 44 by then.  Would it be too late for me to considered getting certified and changing careers?
Reply:Originally Posted by UllihundiI'm 46 and, after burning out on a 15 year telecom career, am shifting gears and going to welding school to be a welder. I have always loved working with metal but everything has been bolted so far like raised floors and overhead cabling structures. Since starting school this month I found that I absolutely love welding, the 3.5 hour class sessions are always over too fast. Yes, as has been pointed out, most employers want experience but in my ongoing research I am finding that getting work during or right out of school is more realistic than I thought. I live in a small NoCal town and already have a potential job with a local company lined up who are willing to give me on the job experience/training, you just have to put your feelers out there and start talking to people. Don't let the naysayers on this forum discourage you, I'm not letting them. There is such a demand for welders out there right now, and will be for a while, that I am really not concerned about not finding work. Even within 50 miles of me there are constant job postings for welders, last I checked 35 on craigslist and 45 on caljobs. Yes the pay is going to be sort of low to start but to me it's not so much about the money as it is about doing what I really want to do. I also have been blacksmithing since September. Besides believe it or not there is money in metal art as well, I know a few people who actually nicely supplement their income with it.So go for it! Don't let those cynical old timers ruin your dream, where there is a will there is a way.I'll PM you so we can stay in touch, us new old guys need to stick together.
Reply:Originally Posted by blueriverI do believe us "cynical old timers" can share some things with others ... all we saying is if you want a job and want to keep it you have to earn it ... be on time and work for your pay check. Leave your problems at home, shut off you phone, quit watching the clock and simply work ... and for damn sure don't worry about what the boss is doing.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbucketford429460I was in law enforcement for almost 19 years and switched jobs. I always have liked welding and did some at home then I decided to make the switch. I went to school and worked my a$$ off and now I am welding at American Augers in West Salem, Ohio best thing I ever did. Its a big change I am still learning and getting better each day.Good luckWade
Reply:Originally Posted by UllihundiNo kidding, you're not talking to some high school kid with no clue or work ethics and am definitely not new to construction type environments. Believe it or not I was damn good at my work in installation, trouble shooting and project managing. When work starts at 07:00 I expected my crew to have their tools on hand and working at 07:00, not show up at 07:00, and I would lead by example. I know you mean well and work ethics these days are not what they used to be more often than not. One of the reasons I joined this forum is for your old timers knowledge and experience, but your comment comes off as condescending and you forgot to tell me to pack a lunch.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWell I don't have time to babysit people. And living just over the hill from Hollyweird, new hires that have any kind of work ethic are few and far between. And if they can't be Johnny-on-the-spot when working on the clock then they don't belong in my shop. And yes when the timeclock buzzes they better be ready to punch in. I did the honor system early on and found most hires tested their boundaries. We used to play the stereo for mood music over the hum of machines. That got old as well when I had to shout out a converstation with customers. Then I let them play their walkmans until an idiot got the earphones caught in the grinder wheel. So no music, just concentration on the work. My people with a solid work ethic would rather be it that way anyhow.
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603You're still judging them by how early they show up, and not their actual work. I guess you don't get many people who have to drive in from the other side of town, where one extra wreck on the freeway can make them late enough to get fired?I have to add, that rubbernecking is now required by law in Texas. If you see a wreck or a cop car with its lights on, you have to slow down to 20 MPH and gawk or risk getting a ticket. It's stupid and it's made traffic in the cities over twice as bad since it took effect, but the cops actually have unions and get to lobby.Naah, if you want to see the absolute worst, go into teaching. Cops get a gun and a badge. Teachers don't even get that much. You just get a computer, a projector, a desk, a cabinet, chairs and tables for the students, textbooks and calculators, six blank walls, and a floor. You also get no support structure, no union, no ability to lobby the state for better working conditions, and no protection against being fired if someone falsely accuses you of anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Naah, if you want to see the absolute worst, go into teaching. Cops get a gun and a badge. Teachers don't even get that much. You also get no support structure, no union, no ability to lobby the state for better working conditions, and no protection against being fired if someone falsely accuses you of anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by yesindeedTeachers don't get unions? Where are you living, in Afghanistan?We got some pretty good teachers unions around here.
Reply:Originally Posted by yesindeedthese little crumb snatchers are the future of that industry? i see why you are getting out.
Reply:Hey guys calm down the OP just wanted to know opinions on starting a new career,  hew wasnt looking for a lecture on how to show up on time. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Thanks MetalManSent from my XT1080 using TapatalkMiller Thunderbolt XL AC/DCHarbor Freight 90 Amp FluxCoreEvolution EVO380 Chop SawEvolution EVOMAG75 Mag DrillAHP Alpha TIG 200Xhttps://www.facebook.com/weldnstuff/
Reply:Haha no problem,  just trying to keep everything on track here,  keep us updated. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603Naah, if you want to see the absolute worst, go into teaching. Cops get a gun and a badge. Teachers don't even get that much. You just get a computer, a projector, a desk, a cabinet, chairs and tables for the students, textbooks and calculators, six blank walls, and a floor. You also get no support structure, no union, no ability to lobby the state for better working conditions, and no protection against being fired if someone falsely accuses you of anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by teh603You're in New York. You have real unions. Texas is the epitome of "right to fire"- our teachers are barred from joining unions by an amendment to the state constitution. Sure we have "unions," but there's nothing to stop districts from actively union- busting.
Reply:I see no problem expecting workers to be ready to work at starting time, i live an hour drive from where i work, i wake i 4.20 every morning, leave home at 4.50 and get to site at 5.50 am for my 6.30 start, i have time for a coffe or two and a cigarette beforehand to be at pre start at 6.25, if you cant be ready on time, dont bother showing up, here you get 3 strikes and your gone, seems fair to me
Reply:So much for keeping on topic.  Thanks everyone that actually did stick to my question.Sent from my XT1080 using TapatalkMiller Thunderbolt XL AC/DCHarbor Freight 90 Amp FluxCoreEvolution EVO380 Chop SawEvolution EVOMAG75 Mag DrillAHP Alpha TIG 200Xhttps://www.facebook.com/weldnstuff/
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderi would say it's going to take about 10 years to gain enough skill and experience to earn decent money. as i'm sure you know welding can be a physically demanding profession. there's got to be an easier way to make a living in your twilight years. take up accounting or graphic design.