Starting A New Career At 50...

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

I'm leaving the ranks of self employment after 12 years and 31 years of glass experience to start a brand new career...
I am now an apprentice sheetmetal worker, or as refered to by the trades... a "Tinner".
I will be allowed to cross over into iron work as well...
I finalized the deal today and start this coming Monday.
I look at this as a great opportunity to learn new skills and as an answer to the delema of having no health coverage or retirement plan in place and at my age... Gotta start thinkin' about those sorta things.

[SamR]

Good Luck! Sounds like an interesting change.

[Gerdo]

Kinda the same thing. Working with flat sheets of stuff. One just bends easier.

[halfdome, Danny]

Dean, Congratulations in making a positive career change, you can always do some custom glass on the side.
I hear bells in the distance , Good Luck in your new career, you'll do great as a metal worker. Danny

[eamarquardt]

I've not worked with glass but I bet it's pretty easy to cut yourself. I have worked with metal and although you can cut yourself I find it much easier (if you count the number of times I've been burned versus cut) to burn yourself after cutting (torch or abrasive) or welding. I suggest you wear gloves and long sleeves. Good luck and it's always fun to learn something new.

I've also heard that Eureka is a tough place to earn a living so you're doing ok.

Cheers,

Gus

[Podunkfla]

I'm leaving the ranks of self employment after 12 years and 31 years of glass experience to start a brand new career...
I am now an apprentice sheetmetal worker, or as refered to by the trades... a "Tinner".
I will be allowed to cross over into iron work as well...
I finalized the deal today and start this coming Monday.
I look at this as a great opportunity to learn new skills and as an answer to the delema of having no health coverage or retirement plan in place and at my age... Gotta start thinkin' about those sorta things.

Well congratulations Dean... I have sure thought about making such a change after 30+ years of self employment... for the same reasons. I can't afford health insurance any more either. Sadly, in this little town there aren't many opportunities and I really don't want to move back to the big city. I am sure with your talents you will do well as a metal worker. Best of luck in your new adventure!

[1849]

I will be allowed to cross over into iron work as well...

That sounds like some custom DO work as a possibility...

Elliot

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Danny,
That does whittle the list down to only one condition remaining, doesn't it?

Brick,
I couldn't pass it up as their offer was more than generous, but I will need to trim the fat so to speak, cut my spending, get use to routines each month and learn to live a different lifestyle.
I compared the two mediums like this...
For the most part, glass work is one dimensional, where as sheetmetal for the most part becomes three dimensional and that excites me.

You know... Even though my tear is a woody, it's gonna have plenty of sheetmetal work in it...

[s4son]

Congratulations Dean. It sometimes takes a little courage to make a change after you've been doing something a long time. Sounds like you got a really good deal. Good luck, I know you'll keep us all posted. And don't forget the pics!

Scott F.

[Gerdo]

Dean
I'm sorta in the same boat as you. I've been in the film industry full time (born into it) for 28 years and freelance for the last 17. I love the independance of only working 150 days a year but hate the uncertanty of "when is the next job!". (I may only work 150 days a year but my days are 10 hrs to 20 hrs long) I also hate the "gotta take it to survive attitude" and not making firm plans for anything. It looks like my job this weekend may move to mid next week or next weekend. That may mean that I may not be able to make it "the last gasp" campout.

I have been thinking of alternative careers also. Maybe something outside of the fillm industry.

Best of luck adapting.

[tonyj]

It takes guts to make the jump. Congratulations and best wishes.

[dguff]

Dean,
I know you were thinking about that move and I think you made a good decision. Best of luck in your new career!

Jerome

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Yeap... Security.
I told my son (15) I was considering a new career...
He then asked, "At your age, shouldn't you be thinking about retirement instead?"



Ouch...


Fifteen Year Olds!!!...

[pgwilli]

Congratulations Dean.
A change is always better than a rest.
I was 34 when I went to work at Boeing. It was an entry level position and I took a pretty serious hit in the paycheck for quite a while
Turns out it was a really good move for me. I can keep working at the same place and it just keeps changing around me .
Oh ya...I think about retiring every day. Next month I could if I want

[mikeschn]

Good luck in your new career.

You mean you haven't been saving 10% for the past 31 years?

Mike...