Don’t think its “technically” considered professional advice (since I’m just looking for general info), but not sure where else to turn. I have been apart of the corporate world for a while, and even though I follow all the rules, my companies consistently find ways/loopholes to screw me over.
Are there any industries or careers that are kind of easy to get into with strong union protections?
When I say “easy” I understand there will be education involved, but I already have a degree and am scared to waste more money and time (for seemingly nothing) again.
I have no desire to get rich or anything, I’m just hoping to get ideas on what I can pivot my career to so I can support myself and my loved ones without worry of the rug being pulled out from under me again.
In case you’re looking for something more white collar, I have found working for government prime contractors to be a sweet spot. I know, it feels gross to work for “the man” or to be the ones taking in those tax dollars, but hear me out.
The work is well defined, they are very often unionized, even the office staff, and it’s essentially guaranteed employment as long as you want to work there. I’ve also found that putting in what I consider pretty normal levels of effort is highly rewarded because often the bar is pretty low by those that have been in the various companies for decades that no longer care. As long as you guard against professional apathy and keep driving yourself to do the best you can, it’s can be a great sector to work in.
I would suggest looking for ones you don’t already know the names of though (often small subsidiaries of the larger companies are fine). Battelle for instance operates almost all of the DoE national labs and I hear from colleagues they are a good company with labs all over the country that need scientists, engineers, accountants, IT pros, facility folks, etc.
Pretty much any “trade” job will have what you’re looking for. Most have good unions.
Probably the only trade that is the exception to that would be the trucking industry. This is where I am.
Decent pay, relatively easy to enter, but it’s a lifestyle, not so much a job and the Teamsters (the main trucking union) and I very much don’t get along. That is an understatement due to community and instance guidelines. We’ve had… words.
Over head garage door repair. No where enough people doing the work and the older crowd retiring. Takes a few years to really understand what you are doing but Damn you can make money.
If you’re in the USA, I cannot understate how useful it may be to refer to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’s (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), a resource which I believe has no direct comparison:
How can I learn about an occupation that is of interest to me?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) provides information on what workers do; the work environment; education, training, and other qualifications; pay; the job outlook; information on state and area data; similar occupations; and sources of additional information for more than 300 occupational profiles covering about 4 out of 5 jobs in the economy.
As for answering the question, anecdotal conversations I’ve had suggest that the trades (eg glazier, electrician, plumber) in the USA are promising fields, since while the nature of the job might change with different needs, people still require electric wires and piped water. But the OOH could give you more specific outlooks for those specific trades.
I was once told that plumbers can make very serious sums of money, even if they’re only ever installing supply-side piping. That is to say, the plumbing for water supply, as compared to drainage or sewer pipe, which are generally perceived as less appealing.
That is to say, the plumbing for water supply, as compared to drainage or sewer pipe, which are generally perceived as less appealing.
I once knew a plumber who hadn’t yet learned to never look into a blackwater pipe (i.e. it’s coming from the toilet.). he learned after somebody flushed.
Don’t know about where you live but jobs like plumbers, electricians, etc. usually have good salaries and good unions. Often times there are food jobs to find as well because most people don’t want to do these jobs.
Explore the trades. Welding and wind turbine repair is in high demand I’m told. With a degree you could potentially find your way into a management position too.
