Is it time to change careers? Vanity

[vwbug]

I have worked as an Electronics Engineer for the last 30 years and have been unemployed for the last 6 months. Job prospects are not what they used to be where, I could put out my resume and have an offer in 2 - 4 weeks. This has got me to thinking of a change in careers before the savings run out.

[thackney]

Petroleum Engineer is a lot harder to convert from Electronics.

But much of Control Systems IS electronics, depending on specializations.

[knarf]

Learn to drive a truck and go have some fun.

[Utilizer]

I feel for you, mate. I was in somewhat the same boat not too many years ago, which became compounded when My disabilities became so severe no one would hire Me. Went from Engineer to Computer builder and troubleshooter, and now working on programming once again.

I am working on starting a small business with a small amount of starting capitol as founder and calling the shots. Heck, who am I kidding? A TINY amount of start-up capitol. Lots of obstacles so far but what the 'ell, take a chance -what have you (I) got to lose?

[pfony1]

(1) You could contact Colt, which is building a new factory in central Florida. Some employees from CT won’t make the move.

(2) You could start a business to prevent/minimize government spying on us using our own personal computers and cell phones.

[pfony1]

(1) You could contact Colt, which is building a new factory in central Florida. Some employees from CT won’t make the move.

(2) You could start a business to prevent/minimize government spying on us using our own personal computers and cell phones.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Probably because it’s more difficult to brainwash people at that age.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

There is good money in that, especially if you own your own rig. A friend of mine does and he loves it, but he gained weight like crazy.

[9YearLurker]

I’d go two-track if I were you. Look for something immediate so you don’t burn through your savings (depending on your unemployment, etc.) and look for something in your established field. Six months isn’t that long for an experienced professional and especially one who maybe hadn’t anticipated how difficult or lengthy the search may be.

Meanwhile, no harm in thinking about possible alternative directions and how you might get there. If you could combine either that immediate job with a new direction you’d be interested in, that might be good. Or, if you can somehow leverage your engineering background for a new direction you might be interested in (e.g., does your state have a program for a latter career move into teaching math at a public school?), that could be good too.

Expecting to find something that returns a definite 15% is expecting an awful lot.

Good luck!

[TADSLOS]

You can always find work as an Obamacare guide or an Obamaphone agent.

[LibLieSlayer]

We are locked in a depression and have been. We live under a tyranny that lies to us more than they tell the truth. Americans do not even believe their latest terror warnings... lying and crying wolf forever will do that to one’s integrity and trust. I do not think that you will find a decent job today... unless you are a government employee at IRS, State or NSA/CIA... otherwise you will just get furloughed and lose pay.

LLS

[expat2]

The best way to start a business with very low capital investment is online retail. All you need is a computer (which you already have), about $50 for a domain, and a few bucks for your first products to sell (start small).

[biff]

Yep, and they are putting satellite systems on pump jacks now at almost every location. Lots of electrical and electronic stuff in the oil patch now.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Ha! Good one.

[nanetteclaret]

Find a headhunter who specializes in placing people for contract work. A family member, who is an EE, has been working contract for the last 25-30 years. Every time a contract is over, he contacts his headhunter and usually has another job within 2-3 weeks. Of course, he’s flexible on location (and doesn’t have a family to uproot), but he’s had a lot of interesting jobs all over the country.

Failing that, come to Texas. The economy is doing quite well - considering the interference by the fedborg - so at least you will be in a state with no income tax and where people are still relatively independent (more so out here in the sticks than in the city).

Good luck!

[knarf]

owner/operators have a whole set of headaches a newbie does not want.

let a fleet push you around for a year and THEN throw your weight a little.

Here in the tri-state .. pa/wv/ohio area the gas wells are booming and dry bulk sand cans for fracking are making about 1600 a week.

You work for it and you have no life, but there's money to be made.

A single man or with with a stable marriage can do well.

I never went OTR so I can't comment on that except ... you get to see a lot of America

[Vaduz]

Hire a head hunter (agent) to find a job for you it’s worth the fee most don’t charge if they fail to find a job for you.

[Utilizer]

Thanks for the general suggestion, mate. I mean it. The immediate difficulty with that that I can see is that My specialties (pretty much like him) lie in the area of Electronics and Barebones computing, with some minor programming skills that I am brushing back up on.

I do not see attempting to offer computer or electronics parts as a profitable online venture as there are already several companies that do a fairly decent job at that. I should know; I shop with them quite a bit. I do have some personal designs and schematics that are not available in the common market, however given how specific areas are addressed by them I do not see too much demand for them, as well as the fact that as soon as I post My creations online the danger of some large corporation stealing them or a repeat of the Micr()shaft - and - Lotus123 example spring immediately to mind.

Then there is the need to incorporate in another state if I can find one that has much kinder regulations for small start-ups than California. Delaware, perhaps? Yes, I know, the "Relocate!" cries will abound, but with My disabilities and travel restrictions that is really not a viable option for now or for the foreseeable future.

[Usagi_yo]

Design a GPS that can receive SMS messaging from the Cell phone systems, outline an advertising scheme where business can SMS message somebodies GPS in the area with special offers. Patent it and then sell it to google and give me 10%.

Digital movie distribution via USB thumb drives with built-in DRM technology. Instead of red box delivering a DVD, they download it directly to your USB drive. After a set period, the USB drive erases itself or otherwise makes the rental expire. Add high speed WI-FI to your car and you can develop a model of distribution from grocery stores that require no returns and your movies are downloaded directly from the store parking lot to your car while you shop or wait. Sell that to red box or net flix or google, then give me 10%.

[Utilizer]

Hope this helps... *grin*

[wbill]

it’s most likely the 30 years thing that is hurting you.

Well, it wouldn't hurt you with me, but I could see where it would with others.

Have you thought about leaving some of your earlier work off your resume? Maybe just expand on the last three jobs, or last 15 years, or whatever 'looks' the best?

Right this minute - at least in my area - the 'buzz' is about 'what projects have you completed'? As in, took from start to finish, finished ontime, under budget, etc etc etc. Which is hard for IT people, as so many projects are journeys, not destinations. And so much IT work is straightup support, with 'completion' not really a priority.

Good Luck.