What career would you suggest?

[wooohooo]

My younger brother is in a pickle and I thought I'd consult the knowledge of CP as you guys probably have a better sense of the market than I do.

He graduated about 8 years ago with a science degree, worked a few meh jobs (couldn't find anything worthwhile or paid decent). This year he went back to start his Engineering degree but the economy is really making him second guess this decision.

He's no spring chicken anymore, and so he needs this to be his final choice. I'm not sure what the market is like for Engineers, but it doesn't seem great. I thought something like respiratory therapy where he could do a 2-3 year diploma at NAIT would be better than the 4-5 years of hell an engineer does with no certain job market. Or am I completely out to lunch? Anything else out that that's a good job that we don't know about?

[peter12]

Is he smart? What is his skill-set? Going back to do an undergraduate degree when you are over 25 is a massive waste of time.

[para transit fellow]

There is no final career choice, i have changed careers five times in the last 20 years

The biggest question is "what would he LIKE to do next?.,"

[Northendzone]

I can't help but think that any career in health should be pretty good and very portable.

Would he consider doing porn?

[Winsor_Pilates]

What does he want to do?
My 2 cents is he'll be a lot happier chasing a career he'll enjoy than "what he should go for".
If he likes engineering or respiratory therapy the answer to your question should be easy.

[metallicat]

CPS are probably hiring.

[GGG]

Is he willing to move or is it Calgary only?

Engineers have Job opportunities out there.(not in Calgary right now)

If he gets a civil / structural degree he is employable everywhere in world and if you go transportation pretty recession proof.

Mech/elec can get recession proof jobs on the utilities side and O+G will be back by the time he graduates. (Essentially the replacement cost of the cheapest barrels in the world is over $50). If he has 3 years to get his degree he'll be fine.

I'm surprised he hadn't been able to turn his science degree into an O+G job in environmental or water. An engineering degree doesn't just hand you a career it opens doors but you need to work hard to get in or know some one to get in the door.

[wooohooo]

I guess talking to him he couldn't really find much with his science degree and doesn't want to do a masters in the science field.

At the end of the day I think he just wants a good paying stable career. I'm not sure starting salaries or even jobs are that easy to find with engineering. Coming out of respiratory therapy he'd be in the 40+$ range. He loves working with his hands so I thought that'd be a good career but only thing he doesn't like is the lack of career advancement and pay.

It seems to be engineers start lower but their potential to make is alot more?

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I guess talking to him he couldn't really find much with his science degree and doesn't want to do a masters in the science field.

At the end of the day I think he just wants a good paying stable career. I'm not sure starting salaries or even jobs are that easy to find with engineering. Coming out of respiratory therapy he'd be in the 40+$ range. He loves working with his hands so I thought that'd be a good career but only thing he doesn't like is the lack of career advancement and pay.

It seems to be engineers start lower but their potential to make is alot more?

If he's thinking a medical support field like RT, he should really look at becoming an Ultrasound tech. Likely a similar training program at a tech school, but a starting salary of at least 50% more than what you've quoted for RT. Plus I understand he could probably get one of the local clinics to pay for a large portion of his schooling if he's willing to commit to a return of service contract.

[scotty2hotty]

He should go for Respiratory Therapy.

That way, when people ask, "What do you do for a living?"

He can reply, "I arrest people as terrorists."

And when they say, "Pardon?"

He can say, "I'm a Respiratory Therapist. Why? What did you think I said?"

I've always wanted to do that.

[Sliver]

If the thought of teaching appeals to him, go back to school for two years to get his masters of teaching. Only work 3/4 of a year, barely a full day, get amazing benefits, be fire proof, recession proof, and retire after a short career with full benefits and an amazing pension people in the private sector could only dream of.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Sliver

If the thought of teaching appeals to him, go back to school for two years to get his masters of teaching. Only work 3/4 of a year, barely a full day, get amazing benefits, be fire proof, recession proof, and retire after a short career with full benefits and an amazing pension people in the private sector could only dream of.

Anyone who goes into teaching for those reasons will spend his/her career being miserable or get out of the field within a couple years.

However, teaching science could be a good choice, if that was his interest. Secondary science teachers tend to be the most in demand. Teaching CAN be a stable career "down the road." For your first several years, you will likely be covering short term positions, part-time positions, and have to change schools every year until you get a continuing contract.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by peter12

Is he smart? What is his skill-set? Going back to do an undergraduate degree when you are over 25 is a massive waste of time.

Weird quote based on all the things I've seen you post about. Bottom line is that if a person chooses to switch careers and needs an undergrad to get it done, and can pay the bills, etc. while going to school to get that into that career, I'd say do it.

4 years ain't that big of a deal. I look at some people who skipped on the 4 yr degree who've been run around a bit by their companies because they are techs vs. full degrees, but are doing all of the work a degree person would do.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Sliver

If the thought of teaching appeals to him, go back to school for two years to get his masters of teaching. Only work 3/4 of a year, barely a full day, get amazing benefits, be fire proof, recession proof, and retire after a short career with full benefits and an amazing pension people in the private sector could only dream of.

In general I agree with your assessment on teaching as a career but your posts are over the top. The stress of working with beady eyed little snot nosed pukes who tell you to F off while they're surfing the web on their iphones as you deliver a class lecture you've worked on at for hours at home during those luxurious hours off the job would be enough for me to say they deserve some of the perks.

The pension though is out of control, no debate here on that.

[OMG!WTF!]

If he has a bit of money and inclination it might be time to start a business instead. It's at least worth looking at the options/talking about. A job might not be the best bet.

[Bunk]

Civil engineering or construction management. Infrastructure is a growth industry here (and all over the place really). Consider, just the final stages and the Green Line LRT will comprise over $8 billion.

[_Q_]

Honestly, getting an engineering degree might have been the worst thing I've done with my life.

But I guess there are folks out there that make it work and enjoy what they do as Engineers. It's really up to your brother to figure that one out.

[Johnny199r]

Depends what his interests are and what his desired income level is.

Science teachers are always in demand.

[cracher]

8 years out from a science degree puts him at sub-30 years old? That is a spring chicken with a tough degree under his belt.

Take your pick.

And, NuclearFart: repping sonographers, huh? I'm going to guess that you're with CDC and their expanding menu of U/S treats.

[Cuz]

Came in to see Sliver extolling a career in teaching, leaving satisfied.