What should I do with my life?

In other words: I need to find a new job.  I've worked in education for almost six years although none of that has been what I'd consider traditional teaching.  I've had the opportunity to help start a small school, teach some fun stuff, and see a few kids grow into thoughtful human beings.  Now the school is "restructuring" which really just means I'm out of a full time job.  I want to try something new and I know for certain that I have no desire to teach in a traditional classroom setting.

Everyone tells me, "You like cars, you should be a mechanic!"  That's not so helpful.  I like driving cars, watching them go around a racetrack, and hanging out while working on cars for fun a lot more than I like fixing them by myself.

I haven't had to job search much as the teaching thing mostly fell into my lap.  I'm not sure where to start and I'll probably even have to re-teach myself how to write a good resume.  If I'm honest this whole thing has me worried since I have to provide housing and food for a kid, wife, and dog; yet I'm trying to focus on the exciting fact that the future holds something new.  Although, let's be honest, the odds are high that I'll be doing landscaping or something equally sweaty this summer.

I think my dream job, (since "Basically everything Randy Pobst does," probably isn't an option) would be some place where a small dedicated group of people worked to produce something creative or somewhere I could share my enthusiasm for cars or music with other people.

And now... I'm going to go back to creating science projects although I'll probably eventually end up looking at ads for old Jaguars that I can't afford.

Everyone is different but I learned a long time ago not to mix my work and my hobbies. Just made me burn out more. 

How good a mechanic are you?  Could you teach in the automotive department at your local community college?

In reply to BlueInGreen44 :

My wife is an administrator of a K-12 homeschool co-op in Farmington Hills, with classes on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Hit me up if you want to teach in that kind of environment.

In reply to BlueInGreen44 :

Don’t try to get a job without a good head hunter. A really good one. 

Now days the people doing the hiring are so overwhelmed by the internet applicants they tend to outsource their hiring rather than spend the money to buy the really good software needed to sort through all the chaff. That’s why you need a head hunter.  

The sole exception  is people who can’t or won’t pay the market price for workers.  Effectively they are robbing you of a decent wage with proper benefits.  

My  fiancé has real skills on computers.  Skills only used by big financial corporations.  A single job listing can generate as many as 250,000 applicants. 

Just sorting out the qualified from the Don’t really have a clue but need a job. Is a thousand man hours feeding resumes into the computer.  Rather than that they use headhunters. 

Even for  mundane tasks requiring little or no skills  they don’t hire, instead they outsource. Security, cleaning, cafeterias etc are all outsourced. Even workers are often hired under contract from headhunter firms. 

I wish I could be of help, but I've been struggling with the same topic for the last ten years.  No good advice to offer from here.

BlueInGreen44 said:

 

I think my dream job, (since "Basically everything Randy Pobst does," probably isn't an option) would be some place where a small dedicated group of people worked to produce something creative or somewhere I could share my enthusiasm for cars or music with other people.

 

Enthusiasm for music...do you play a musical instrument? Could you perhaps give lessons in an individual or small group setting?

In reply to frenchyd :

I'm trying to figure out what you're suggesting.  Is BlueInGreen supposed to... hire a head hunter that might be working to fill a position?  Just cold call head hunters and see what they've got (this is a bad idea, don't do this)?  

I think if the group could suggest a couple kinds of jobs that resonate with him, he could then use tools like Indeed to find openings or Glassdoor to find out more, et cetera to get some direction, then start trying to contact people in those kinds of jobs and see what they think.  Go from there.

LinkedIn

Headhunters contacted me there, it pays to network

and what pres589 said, Indeed and Glassdoor are two of the best job sites

Car or music store sales could yield some contacts?

Years ago someone asked me that and given some thought I came up with "maintenance guy for some big estate".  I like fixing things and variety but not pure construction.  A couple years later I got hired to be a carpenter for the VA hospital.  The job involved routine maintenance of a 100 acre facility, it is!'t entirely perfect but there is variety and job satisfaction.

I'd suggest taking a look at the usajobs website and seeing if anything looks interesting to you.  I know there is always a demand for teachers in underserved areas (reservations and the like) if relocating is an option.

The thing about Indeed is that they don't pull in every job that is advertised.  Easy to see a lot of the same companies if you've got pretty tight search terms.  Glassdoor is pretty universal if you're doing research. 

Current job, I was found on LinkedIn.  Previous job, I used a connection made through LinkedIn to get into an interview, and got that job.  It can be very useful but I also think it's easy to play with and waste a ton of time.  When I was really serious about finding a new job I paid for their basic membership but wouldn't if I wasn't on an active hunt.   I had Indeed sending me job postings every day and it felt like I was spending maybe an hour a day on the average digging through those and then applying to things.  I don't think I was going about it that well but I don't know that I had a lot of better ways to go about it outside of trying to get in touch with real people better through LinkedIn.  

This stuff is not, in my opinion, remotely fun.  But it's also useful skills to build up.

In reply to Duke :

Ha.  I could teach a class called, "How to learn by fixing your own mistakes."

In reply to szeis4cookie :

I've played guitar since I was 12 and took bass and guitar lessons in college so I know my way around a fretboard.  I like giving lessons but it's hard to find committed students, especially since I don't have a traditional music degree so I wouldn't be able to give lessons through a music studio.

Anyone here want to learn? 

So, it sounds like I should do some research into the world of online networking.  As a 20-something in America I suppose I should know more about those things but I guess I'm more old fashioned than I thought.

I think it really depends on what you want to do and who you want to do it with.  I don't know that teachers need to be doing this, per se, but as an engineer I feel like it's pretty useful.  

If you make a good profile for yourself, avoid doing anything crazy/stupid with posts and such, it can't hurt and may be very useful.

In reply to pres589 :

Figure out what he wants to do.

 Contact a head hunter that deals with that.  

Another way is to get yourself tested to find out hidden talents.  

I did that by going in the Navy. The second day you are there they feed you a good breakfast and start testing you.  I found out I was good at electronics.  Plus I’d make a decent pilot. Last I heard they still do things that way• You don’t need to join the Navy but it is an option with some great rewards. 

However if you aren’t sure, you should get tested.  Try your state employment service and see if they do or suggest someone.  

* I got selected for pilot training through the NESEP program  in effect during Vietnam. I understand now the only path to fly is through Officer Candidate School.   

In reply to AngryCorvair :

Sent you a pm.

"Figure out what he wants to do.

 Contact a head hunter that deals with that."

I have done exactly this and I'm suggesting to not do that.  Unless the head hunter happens to be actively trying to fill that role right now it's a wasted call and you're taking time out of their day so that they have to tell you that they'll call you when they need you.  That time would be better spent on creating an online profile somewhere like on Careerbuild or LinkedIn (my pref. is LinkedIn), getting a good generalized resume together, or etc etc other things relating to all of this.  

It may not be a completely wasted call, some head hunters maybe would spend some time out of their day to help with advice or what not, but the majority are, I believe, going to look at this as charity work.  If there's anyone in HR that wants to chime in on this, please, do so.

As far as looking for hidden talents or trying to connect your talents and interests to a job, the What Color Is Your Parachute book is good.  It sort of marches the reader through all of this.  If that route is taken, I suggest getting the workbook to write in.

BlueInGreen44 said:

 

I think my dream job, (since "Basically everything Randy Pobst does," probably isn't an option) would be some place where a small dedicated group of people worked to produce something creative or somewhere I could share my enthusiasm for cars or music with other people.

And now... I'm going to go back to creating science projects although I'll probably eventually end up looking at ads for old Jaguars that I can't afford.

I have a friend who owns a rally school. He and everyone who has ever worked there works for an amount below regular non rally school pay. If they didn't then the rally school would fold. Guys who work in race car fab shops are making less than guys who work fabbing oil field equipment. Guys selling cars are making less than those selling industrial or medical equipment. There are whole industries that exist on the backs of people who are willing to follow a passion instead of the money. Cars, music, and food are the ones I'm most familiar with. 

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's always best to go into those things with open eyes. 

Have you ever looked into something like industrial safety training? I've known a few guys who have done that and done well at it. It's teaching in it's own way and tends to pay well. I'm not sure how you get into it, but it might be something to look into. 

I’m in an industry that the old guys retired and the young guys aren’t interested in getting dirty.   

Industrial hoses and gaskets.  Can be dirty and nasty but I’m considered the expert and customers need me.  I sometimes sell conveyor belts to garbage or recycling plants - talk about gagging.  

But I love the challenge and the money is good.   

Somewhere in your city there is an organization dedicated to getting entrepreneurs off the ground. Go to some of the meetings.  These guys are looking for creative people, and car people tend to have that gene along with the "Get it done" mentality that is required at the start-up stage. Clock watchers are anathema to the start-up world. Later on they will want drones, but at start-up they need non-conventional talent. 

Go to a few meetings. See who is doing what. Be willing to take a few risk.  I have always been a start-up junkie. The endless possibilities and the endless hours  against big odds motivate me.  I never missed  a mortgage payment or a meal due to this lifestyle.

How long do you have left with the school, and as part of the restructuring would the school pay or help pay for a career coach? The last time my wife "transitioned" the gig she was leaving paid for a career coach. There's a whole industry out there that helps people figure out what type of thing they'd really like to do AND has ideas about the kinds of jobs that match that. SWMBO thought it was really helpful and eye opening, and it really helped tamp down her anxiety by focusing on what a great opportunity it was to transition. 

mazdeuce - Seth said:

BlueInGreen44 said:

 

I think my dream job, (since "Basically everything Randy Pobst does," probably isn't an option) would be some place where a small dedicated group of people worked to produce something creative or somewhere I could share my enthusiasm for cars or music with other people.

And now... I'm going to go back to creating science projects although I'll probably eventually end up looking at ads for old Jaguars that I can't afford.

I have a friend who owns a rally school. He and everyone who has ever worked there works for an amount below regular non rally school pay. If they didn't then the rally school would fold. Guys who work in race car fab shops are making less than guys who work fabbing oil field equipment. Guys selling cars are making less than those selling industrial or medical equipment. There are whole industries that exist on the backs of people who are willing to follow a passion instead of the money. Cars, music, and food are the ones I'm most familiar with. 

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's always best to go into those things with open eyes. 

Have you ever looked into something like industrial safety training? I've known a few guys who have done that and done well at it. It's teaching in it's own way and tends to pay well. I'm not sure how you get into it, but it might be something to look into. 

How do you make a small fortune racing? Start with a big one. Car guys don't make it in the car business, business guys do. 

mazdeuce - Seth said:

Have you ever looked into something like industrial safety training? I've known a few guys who have done that and done well at it. It's teaching in it's own way and tends to pay well. I'm not sure how you get into it, but it might be something to look into. 

Not something I would have thought of on my own but that's exactly why I'm posting here.

The title of the thread is mostly tongue in cheek.  I know what I want to do with my life: be a good dad, love my wife, play with my dog, and have some fun along the way.  It would be awesome to have a job around music or cars but yeah, I'd be more than happy to do something unrelated that fits my abilities and pays well enough that I can have fun with cars on the weekends.