Big changes coming for the Draco family...

Mitch Rapp

Mitch Rapp

Bah, humbug. Shut up and look out the window.
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
8,972
Location
Cleveland Co, NC
Rating - 100%
27   0   0
It's been a little tough in the Draco household over the last year, and it's gonna be a little tough over the next year as well. But, things are looking up. Way up.

I have been working and supporting the whole household on one income while the Missus went back to school. Well, the little woman has graduated her EMT course and I could not be more proud of her. She has a job waiting on her at our local EMS as soon as she passes her State certification exam.

Then it's going to be her turn to support us all.

I have been mostly unhappy with the work I have been doing the last few years and have finally decided to take the plunge, change my direction, and learn a new skill. In no small part because she has inspired me with her success and happiness.
Over the last few months, I have helped my father in law make some welding repairs on a couple of trailers and some farm equipment for folks he knows. I have found that I not only have a knack for it, I actually enjoy cutting, fitting, and welding.
Starting over and going to school again at 45 years old is a little daunting, but, dammit, if my ol lady can do it, by God I can, too. So, over the last few weeks I have taken my placement tests and completed all the admission requirements for our local community college. Today, I got registered for classes in their Welding Technology Diploma program. I start classes Aug 16th and will graduate with several Certifications in Aug 2019 after two full semesters and a summer term.
I know it's only a start, only a foot in the door, and I have to start at the bottom of a new career again...but I'm actually excited about something work related again. It's been a long time for that. I'm really looking forward to learning something new and starting a new career.
 
I should also add that we actually have a multi year plan for the both of us.
I'm taking the year off work to do the schooling full time while she works.
After I graduate, Im obviously going back to work and she's going to cut back to part time and finish the next year of her school to become a full paramedic.
Teamwork, baaaabeeeeee lol
 
I enjoy welding, but not enough to do it for money, meaning I don't want it to be my job.

Good luck in the new venture!
 
Good luck to you both.
 
It will be tough supporting a family on an EMT salary, they don't pay much, unfortunately. It's good that she is gonna go for her medic, the opportunities and payscale is much better than EMT. Also have her shop around. Even if she gets in with a county agency, a neighboring county can be a world of difference and worth the ride.
The county where I live starts medics off at 40K/yr, but require you to cross train in fire, and run a 24/48 schedule. They are really short handed and you get hit with tons of holdovers and mandatory overtime. I work here once a week as a part timer.
The next county to the West, where I work, starts Medics in the 50K/yr range, runs a 24/72 schedule, does not require you to be a fire-person and is a great place to work.
The county South of me pays medics 34K/yr and also runs a 24/48 schedule and requires you to also do fire.
Private transport places pay better then county agencies, some are good, some ain't.
I love my job, and between the Full time and Part time spots, I work 3 days a week and am in the 70K/yr range. I'll never get rich doing it, but I like going to work in the morning.

If you have a Knack for welding, go for it, in some places welders are in demand and the opportunities and pay are pretty good.
 
draco88 said:
I should also add that we actually have a multi year plan for the both of us.
I'm taking the year off work to do the schooling full time while she works.
After I graduate, Im obviously going back to work and she's going to cut back to part time and finish the next year of her school to become a full paramedic.
Teamwork, baaaabeeeeee lol
Click to expand...
Totally awesome. How many people do we encounter that are miserable because they hate their jobs but don't do anything that helps change the job or their attitude? (I had to do some attitude adjusting in my current job and stop letting people live rent free in my hread)

I have used the skills of a weekend warrior welder before, on my 93yj I had. But I've never had the desire to learn that skill. I'd have to have retired if i was a welder already due to arthritis.

One of My nephews went the same route EMT/Paramedic. Boston EMS as an EMT. Then went nights to finish paramedic qualification.
After all the death and destruction he saw on 3 deployments, being part of life saving teams is very healing. Helped get his mind and soul back.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Bailey Boat said:
I went back to school at age 46 to obtain my Mechanical Engineering Degree, if I can do it so can you!!! Stick tough and always smile....
Click to expand...

I've been a Paramedic twice. First time was in the 80s in NYC. This time around, when all the outsourcing was the craze 8-10yrs back, I had to do a career change when my department was outsourced. Went back to school for 2yrs and got my Paramedic back 1 week before my 50th birthday.
 
Thanks for all the well wishes, guys. We have made it so far, we're gonna make it all the way.
Her EMT salary is gonna be very near what my current salary is. Throw in my Post 9/11 GI Bill income, along with the fact that both cars and the house are paid off, and I think we are going to be ok. Maybe a little tight, but ok.
If it wasn't for those big things being paid off, this would be infinitely tougher. That makes this easily doable.
 
Pink_Vapor said:
Good luck, I enjoy welding and working that magic puddle.
Can you school in the eve so you can continue to work?
Click to expand...
I could, but it's a two year course that way.
The real deciding factor is the GI Bill. I used some of mine previously and only have a few month benefits remaining. Going to school at night, I would only qualify for partial benefits AND it would still eat up a month of benefits. I do not have enough months of benefits left to cover two years.
Going full time lets me draw maximun benefits for those remaining months of eligibility I have. And I have enough months remaining to cover all but one month of my school time. That amount of $$$ makes up for the small diffetence between what I make now and what the wife will be making.
 
Congrats.
i know the feeling of going back to school later in life, but its so worth it man
You'll do great!
 
ive always wanted to tinker around with welding - pretty useful skill to have. good luck to you man.
 
The GI Bill is huge & the only reason I was able to drag my ass back to college at 42 y/o & become a Medical Laboratory Technician. Very hard work, especially with a family, but totally worth it. It was a big gamble, but now have a great job that I actually really enjoy.

Good on ya (& yer missus) for makin' shit happen.
 
draco88 said:
I could, but it's a two year course that way.
The real deciding factor is the GI Bill. I used some of mine previously and only have a few month benefits remaining. Going to school at night, I would only qualify for partial benefits AND it would still eat up a month of benefits. I do not have enough months of benefits left to cover two years.
Going full time lets me draw maximun benefits for those remaining months of eligibility I have. And I have enough months remaining to cover all but one month of my school time. That amount of $$$ makes up for the small diffetence between what I make now and what the wife will be making.
Click to expand...

Dude apply for vocational rehab at the VA. They will take your remaining GI Bill time but they’ll pay for up to 24 months of training just like the Post 9/11 would

That program paid for my Masters degree after I got out of the Army
 
Another thing she could do relatively easy is to get her CPR instructor. There is great money is doing that part time.

I'm taking a welding class this summer semester, just to learn. It's an intro to welding, so we do cutting, stick, mig and tig. Currently starting stick. It's been fun. I think I've gotten my 130.00 tuition back already in 7018 rods :)
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180620_205349290.jpg
    IMG_20180620_205349290.jpg
    117.6 KB · Views: 17
11B CIB said:
Dude apply for vocational rehab at the VA. They will take your remaining GI Bill time but they’ll pay for up to 24 months of training just like the Post 9/11 would

That program paid for my Masters degree after I got out of the Army
Click to expand...

I was told about VR&E a while back and looked into it. Im not eligible. Veterans have to be 10% rated to be eligible and Im not rated.
I assume you are since you used it.
 
draco88 said:
I was told about VR&E a while back and looked into it. Im not eligible. Veterans have to be 10% rated to be eligible and Im not rated.
I assume you are since you used it.
Click to expand...

Yeah I’m a broke dick! Got medical’ed out of service
 
Goofyfoot2001 said:
I bought a cheap welder and I totally suck at it.
Click to expand...
Watch the videos on Miller and Lincoln channels as well as some of the professionals, we had a girl in our shop class,
circa 1975, she could weld like a pro, I'm good with oxy acetylene and only weld with my mig machine for repairs or hobby.



 
That’s awesome! Congrats to you and the missus.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mine wasn't for a career change but to give me more credibility when doing CNA's (Capital Needs Assessments) on properties There were a few instances where I had been challenged on my findings and I knew this would put a stop to that in short order. Plus it allowed me to charge more for the inspections. It was a nice notch on my resume at the time.
 
Crazy Carl said:
The GI Bill is huge & the only reason I was able to drag my ass back to college at 42 y/o & become a Medical Laboratory Technician. Very hard work, especially with a family, but totally worth it. It was a big gamble, but now have a great job that I actually really enjoy.

Good on ya (& yer missus) for makin' shit happen.
Click to expand...
One of my wife's degrees is a BS in laboratory science. Did her internship at the VA in Boston during our fist year married. She was 6 months pregnant when she finished it.
Coolest thing she did in micro was taking a sample of my lung phlegm, finding out what I had and what antibiotic it was sensitive too. H-flu. And it was only sensitive to 2 of the 14 tested. She called our doctor and got my prescription ordered. Ha!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom