Help starting an actual career

[tenyardrambo]

I am in a bind.
I have been out of High School for over a dozen years and I have attempted many career paths which did not take off.
I have tried the trades, stuck with it but the hands on doesn't come natural too me. I find the trades interesting, but its more of an unnatural stress, trying to get things to work and fixing things.
I have worked in buildings throughout Calgary and sitting around and being inactive is not my style.

So in the long run:

Are there places to go throughout Calgary or even online where you can talk to someone about your skills, education and interests so they can help you actually find an excellent career path? Or do most of these places/agencies just want to grab a person and find an employer to make money for the agency?

Thoughts, experiences, advice please?

[para transit fellow]

Years ago I took a career counseling program through the Alberta government. It was very good for me.

I think this is the current program

http://alis.alberta.ca/ce/career-explorers.html

[Brannigans Law]

i read your 1st post so bad i thought you started off by declaring that you're blind

[fuffalo]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

i read your 1st post so bad i thought you started off by declaring that you're blind

I read the exact same thing, woops.

[para transit fellow]

me three..

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Enjoy physical activity?
Don't like a sedentary job?
Don't have a wife (or don't mind losing her)?
Have we got a job for you!
Big oil presents .. "RIGGIN' (tm)"


Good luck though, I've heard good things about the alis career explorer already posted

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Enjoy physical activity?
Don't like a sedentary job?
Don't have a wife (or don't mind losing her)?
Have we got a job for you!
Big oil presents .. "RIGGIN' (tm)"


Good luck though, I've heard good things about the alis career explorer already posted

Woah now. I'm going to lose my wife? Aww man and here I thought all this money would keep her around.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Is "you don't lose your girl, you just lose your turn" more appropriate ?

[Calgary14]

Have you considered taking an aptitude test to show where your interests and strengths are?

[blankall]

Have you tried sales?

Also, was there a specific reason you didn't go to school? Honestly, it's not for everyone, but could help narrow down your decision. What kept you out of school is probably going to go a long way towards choosing the right career path.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by blankall

Have you tried sales?

Also, was there a specific reason you didn't go to school? Honestly, it's not for everyone, but could help narrow down your decision. What kept you out of school is probably going to go a long way towards choosing the right career path.

I got into sales very young and luckily I had a keen knack for it, and it has paid off exponentially for me. Yeah, you have to work your way through the trenches for four or five years, but if you are good, there are tons of management, and executive sales positions that compensate extremely well. The beauty of it too, is if you are good, many companies you sell to, will sometimes recruit you if they really like you.

I have seen a lot of car salesmen in our industry, get recruited by customers of theirs into pretty lucrative oil patch sales jobs.

[GP_Matt]

I have plugged it before, but look to the safety industry.
There is huge demand in Alberta for CRSPs and most companies are willing to train the right person.
You can work office or field and the pay should hit 6 figures within a few years if you work hard.

It is a greatly overlooked industry with huge growth potential.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

I have plugged it before, but look to the safety industry.
There is huge demand in Alberta for CRSPs and most companies are willing to train the right person.
You can work office or field and the pay should hit 6 figures within a few years if you work hard.

It is a greatly overlooked industry with huge growth potential.

Isnt it tough to break into though? As I recall dont you have to foot the bill for a lot of safety training before you can get hired on? And those courses can be pretty costly.

You're right about the compensation though.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by Locke

Isnt it tough to break into though? As I recall dont you have to foot the bill for a lot of safety training before you can get hired on? And those courses can be pretty costly.

You're right about the compensation though.

I think there are tech courses that get your foot wedged in the door after a semester or two of training.
Any University or college education will be enough qualifications to get you on track to start counting your hours.
https://www.bcrsp.ca/employers-emplo...es/careers-ohs

[1stLand]

Why not try your hand at becoming an Actor?

Or a Male Model?

[snowshoe]

SAIT has a really good career aptitude program. We checked it out during their open house and it helped my friend out a lot. She's facing a career change (after 25 years) because of a workplace accident and there's a lot more confidence in which way to go. It cost about $150 (I think they do have a less intensive one but not sure)

[northcrunk]

I would not reccomend getting a Masters degree until you have almost 10 years experience in your industry. Chances are slim to none that someone gets an entry level position with a Masters.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I would not reccomend getting a Masters degree until you have almost 10 years experience in your industry. Chances are slim to none that someone gets an entry level position with a Masters.

Big yes to this one. I found that there was an small bit of initial prestige that quickly dissipated once I was put on teams with more experienced people. Plus, you will never really know how to apply your Masters properly without experience.

[Locke]

Being poor is a choice. So stop being poor and just start being rich.

/'Murica