new job

[data]

Will someone make some suggestions or disscussion for the best new job option for a 50+ male who has worked 25+ years as a chemical plant operator.  I am fearful I might loose my job.  I am looking for constructive help not a bashing.  Lots of people are out of work with the good paying blue color jobs disappearing for good.  What are your thoughts or concerns.  Thanks for thoughts and opions.

[hillbill]

id think after that long in a plant yu might want to try something outdoors.i love heavy equipment operating,there are schools to teach yu the basics, i was raised dooing it.its a lot of fun but can be strenuous, changeing tires, tracks,buckets, etc.but yur best bet will be something yu already know that yu like? like to work on yur car? like to carpenter and build stuff?like working with kids or teacheing?there is a book out there called 48 days to the work yu love. look for it.

[Land_Owner]

Not a lot here for us to go on data.  I suspect in 25+ adult years that you have hobbies, interests, and an understanding of your community.  It would never be the wrong advice to suggest that you look forward to doing something that you love to do...something that makes you wake every day to enjoy.  Perhaps support your spouse in her endeavor.

[halfbreed]

Hillbilly, only do the heavy equipment school if you know a descent job is pending on the paperwork, I went to one several years ago, and while I learned some good skills and equipment safety. Lots of luck finding a job. Everyone is requiring 3+ years of experience.
 And in todays economy, as everywhere else, there is not an employer out there who does not have a stack of applications on hand for any given job.
 I was laid off until the economy returns, i drive a 330 ton Euclid 1600 heavy off road haul truck in a rock quarry.
 What happened to the billions of dollars in the stimulus package to rebuild the infrastructure. Don't know? well it wasn't used to buy rock.
 John

[charles p]

I'm totally disabled now but I guarantee you that if I had it to do again, I'd go right back to a Fortune 500 company with a good benefit package.  I have a retirement from two large companies now plus disability from the last.  I see friends and neighbors who are complaining about their insurance costs.  I have none.  I also did 27 yrs in the military reserve and retired at 0-4.  Those weekends I gave up are long forgotten but the pension and TriCare will be sweet for the rest of my life, and my wife's too.

When you need your benefits, they are like gold.  Go where the gold is.

[data]

Thanks for the responses.  Like a lot of Americans I am very worried about the country and my family.  Kids moved back home.  I feel old and burned out.  I am learning to how to look for work in the information age.  30 years ago I filled out applications now its on the web, you need resume, documentation, college transcripts, all sent electronically, no humane contact.  It is a new world.  Wish you the best charles p.  I have several relatives who can not find employment; those of us who are employed worry how long before our jobs are eliminated..   Hopefully I can get 1-4 years out of my present job.  Jobs seem to be in the health care field, auto mechanic, elecrician, HVAC.  All require training school.  Thanks for reading.

[45-70.gov]

i  am  54 
carpenter by  trade  no education
left the carpenter  union  over their support  of  bill clinton  long ago

lost my job 2 years  ago
i  just bum around  now
probly too  worthless  to ever have a job by  now

kant  evin  spel  ifn  yu notised

best thing ever  happened

its all in how you look at it
its  all in  how you look at  it.....incase  you didn't get that  first  time

i am  very  happy  with  things  [except  obama]

[data]

45-70 I am happy for you.  May you always have more than you need.

Peace.
Data

[Graybeard]

With your chemistry degree (assumption on my part) have you looked into becoming a pharmacist? I dunno but that seems to me a fairly related field that might require minimal additional training/schooling to qualify. Now I dunno what the job market is there but it seems about all the stores now have their own pharmacy and employ several folks in each.

Times are tough and I'm glad I'm no longer in the job market. It seems every day here another member reports being out of work or on the verge of being. Is retirement an option? I can promise you that's nice and sure better than the days of working were if it's obtainable for you.

[data]

Graybeard it is a honor to hear from you.  Thanks.  I have really enjoyed the site.  Sir I do not have a chemistry degree.  I am the low level blue collar man who runs the plants.  I have a associate degree in elected studies.  When I started my job in 1983 the requirements where someone who would work shift work with a strong back and a weak mind.  Presently I work in a lab.  Union worker.  I think my days are numbered.  My retirement is not enough to retire on.  I want to/ have to work till I am in my late sixties.  However I will admit I am burned out and going to the plant is getting difficult.  I need a positive change and a new path.  My future looks gloom, the oil owners have entered this sector, I am older and the culture is for the younger men, so I am trying to deciede on a course of action for a well paying second career/job.  Need advice I am ... not sure how to procede from here.  I thought maybe someone smarted than me or been through this could shade some sound advice.  Thanks for reading.

Bless you all.
Data

[Land_Owner]

data, you have a knack for words.  That will go well for you.  Use the skills you have.  Talley them all, on paper, at least temporarily.  You are a lot "stronger" than you believe yourself to be.  Use every means available to you.  This is not unlike the very first time you went looking for a job.  It is the same. 

For example: Go to the local Hardware Store.  See how they "do it" and get an impression about how they "don't do it".  Then take a few of your bucks and start your own!  Or a Sports and Hobby Store.  Or Paint Shop.  Or a thousand other ideas flood to mind - like a "Chicken Ranch" or Package Store.  Start small and go up from there.  You don't have to be Wal-Mart right out of the box.

The information "Super Highway" beackons.  Write.  Write a lot.  Seek information.  Research.  Call on everyone you know and everyone they know.  Along these paths you will discover something that you can be passionate about, wrap your arms around, that will stimulate your creative interest for the rest of your life come hell or high water.

Change your ATTITUDE.  This is NOT gloom and doom.  It is an opportunity.  Embrace it.  It is a time for action.  Action requires a plan.  A Plan requires a direction.  Directions require goals.  Where do you want to go?

[Old Fart]

My two cents worth.

Like Greybeard I'd encourage you to look at education.
If you already have an Associates degree you might think about a whole new career.
Depending on where your interest lie you might only be two years or less away.
There's lot's of private and some public colleges out there today that offer accelerated degree plans.
Not necessarily the easiest route but you can do it in a short time period.

If you don't have any direction I would say a business degree.
With all your floor experieince you should be vauleable to the industry.
Either way though you might think about that.

I have three degrees all earned as a working adult.
It is doable if you put your mind to it.

[data]

Thanks. 

[hunt-m-up]

Not sure what metro areas you are close to, but there are a lot of office complexes, hospitals, hotels that require boiler/HVAC type maintenance supervisors and staff. With your years of experience and probably some overlapping knowledge, it might not take you a lot to get up to speed at a local community college.
Another thought would be public works, water, sewer, etc. There are a lot of different positions in public works and someone who is able to pass the various water/sewer licensing exams will be of more value in the workplace as most states are pushing on water quality issues. With a little study you could probably do well on these exams. In our part of the world smaller communities are having trouble finding someone qualified for these positions. My brother worked as a mechanic for 20+ years even running his own shop, until about 15 years ago when his knees and elbows told him to do something else. He went into public works for a small community, passed the tests and put his past knowledge to work in a position with good benefits and retirement.
Not saying these will be at the same level you're at now,but there may be more of a secure future.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

[data]

Thanks.  I will check into public works.

[drdougrx]

Hey Data....with all due respect to GB's fine suggestion,,,,Pharmacy school is 6 years and you earn the PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy).  A great profession to be sure, but with an application pool of greater than 10 to 1, you REALLY have to want to do this....if so...PM me as there are some options.  I would recommend looking into becomming a Pharmacy Tech, local community colleges do the training as do the chains and most hospitals.  I'd also look into your local VA hospital as they'll have the best benefits and pretty much 100% job security.

[NH Yankee]

Data
At 57 yoa I graduated from nursing school (RN).  No lack of work and the pay is decent.  It is 6 years later and no discrimination about age or associate's degree in nursing. 

NH Yankee

[Brock Samson]

A background like you describe could be easily worked into something in the Emergency Management arena.

With the large variety of chemicals being transported via road, rail, and everything else, the need for proper response to, and preparation for, chemical-related emergencies is high.  There are a large number of FREE online courses that will teach you about all Emergency Management related issues.  Within the field (depending on where you're willing to live/work), there are niches for specialists in manufacturing safety, regulations, emergency response, etc.  Age is not a negative in this field!!  Here's the site:  http://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.asp

I "retired" after 18 years of police work, due to a bad knee injury.  I enjoyed being self-employed, and made good money periodically, but lack of a regular paycheck can be nerve-wracking!  After taking a load of these online FEMA classes, I contacted my local Emergency Management agency, and took on some volunteer work.  Subsequently, when the Director moved to another job, he recommended me for his job, and here I am,  Director of a county EMA department.  Decent pay, great people to work with, mostly low-stress, until the you-know-what hits the fan...   http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local_wlfi_carrollcounty_floodanniversary_200801081221  (Yeah, that's me in the red coat...)

Honestly, there are so many jobs in this field, it's amazing.  If you're interested, learn how Emergency Management works in your area (or where you'd like to live!), and start making contacts in the field.  Volunteer work is a great way to make friends and learn the system.  Shoot me a private message if you like; I'd be glad to research your area, and give some guidance.