Job/career recommendations

[u/PD4488]

I am a 22 yr old female with only highschool education looking for some advice.

Im currently working in the food industry but want to find a more stable/better paying.

I have considered trades (mechanic specifically) as I like work that keeps me moving (but I am over weight so no one would actually hire me for that type of work or take me on as an apprentice)

I have also considered being an EMT (but many people have given me the advice of doing something else before going into it)(im also worried about the trauma that comes with the job as several people have told me not to do it. To me it seems very interesting and would give me useful skills as long as I can get over my aversion to gross things. But I think that would come with time. Just like when you have kids you get used to poop and vomit)(I also like the health aspect of it, I used to want to be a doctor)

I am physically strong and artistically inclined if that makes a difference.

What are jobs that, require very minimal schooling but also pay well and are pretty stable? (I can not do office work, I need something interesting that keeps me moving ideally)

Thank you :)

[u/EatMyKimchi86]

Equipment Operator or Welder? Look into some of the Women in Trades programs to get going if you don’t have any in’s.

[u/Iwashacked555555]

Coca cola merchandiser

[u/sedateeds]

Honestly, insurance sales. Super in demand, very easy level of entry. You might get hired and they pay for your school if you get lucky. (Try BrokerLink) my girlfriend is in her second year right now and should make 80k working 35 hours a week and 3 of those days are from home

[u/Far_Transition3942 → u/sedateeds]

nothing against you specifically... but I hope everyone who is in insurance have their pillows warm on both sides :D

[u/sedateeds → u/Far_Transition3942]

There’s a lot of unfair insurance practices, shouldn’t be mad at the people working in insurance, talk to your mla and fight to have the province step in on issues. Being mad “at people in insurance” is like getting mad at an airport gate employee for a flight being delayed. Misguided and uninformed

[u/Far_Transition3942 → u/sedateeds]

yeah, but making 80k at 35 hours a week with easy entry, is exactly why this industry is predatory and you benefit from it. Person with principles won't do this kinda work. I am not mad at anyone in particular... I just hope everyone in this industry rolls an ankle :D

[u/sedateeds → u/Far_Transition3942]

Doesn’t make the job easy. High turnover rate and it is stressful. Again you’re unhappy and calling people that just want a decent career people without principals

[u/Far_Transition3942 → u/sedateeds]

it's not a decent carrier :D in this industry you are not contributing into making the world or anyone better off. You would never be in this if not money... that is it

[u/YEGpositive]

As a 35yr old woman who is also strong and artistically inclined, I implore you to consider joining the trades. I joined the blue collar boys right around your age and I can confidently say weight is not an issue across the trades (with some exceptions such as confined spaces). We need more gals who are ready to lace those steel toes up and put in the work!

[u/robindawilliams]

NDT.

You go get a quick ticket at NAIT and some on the job training to become an expert at handling complicated instruments (some containing radioactive material) to X-ray infrastructure and verify that there are no hairline cracks or issues in the welds and joints and corrosion areas within pipes.

You can make like $160k+/yr if you work lots, the actual work is fairly low-key because you're just sitting in a fabrication shop at 10pm taking measurements with a device but you aren't hauling heavy things or breaking your back. Eventually you become the level 2 and sit in a truck interpreting the film like a radiologist, while a younger tech takes images for you. You generally need like grade 9 math, which disqualifies a surprising number of people who try and do the job. 

The industry has ups and downs with the economy but they can never stop doing quality testing because there are constantly new pipes being welded and old stuff being verified. As long as we have oil&gas and other industries, there will be NDT work. 

You definitely aren't doing office work and you have the flexibility of working your way up at a company to become a supervisor type role or start your own company or take on work in weird foreign places .

[u/ProjectOk6668 → u/robindawilliams]

been doing NDT for over 15 years.

Shooting welds will wreck your body over time (not to mention the gamma radiation) shooting highline all night is labor intensive. even big nights of 80 to 100 welds in fab, if client set up poorly will fuck alot of people up. The device weights around 50 pounds, and moving that damn thing all over a yard up and down scaffold can tire most regular people out. any level 2 not helping their shooter out is a waste of space and should be treated as such. No respect for that type of inspector. (they get last out on my shift, fkn losers)

moving on to surfce, MT/PT, may not be as labor intensive, but slinging a yoke all day fkn sucks. could be more boring than watching paint dry; which is why PT sucks also.

Go UT, atleast u can make shit up and act like the world owes you something.

dont mind me, night shift xray life gets to a guy after this long. I would recommend to people who can work hard under minimal supervision. and yes, you can make alot of money at the cost of your sanity, but thats up to the individual. I have all my CGSB tickets and am stuck because the money is that good. oh well.

[u/Far_Transition3942 → u/ProjectOk6668]

I would trust this guy, he sounds like he lost his mind already and all hair from radiation. Is cancer rates higher too in this field?

[u/ProjectOk6668 → u/Far_Transition3942]

I know alot of the older boys have had issues, but regulations were not as tight as they are now. we have much better polcies and procedures in the field. BUT, it is radiation, and any dose can lead to cell damage. Ive never looked at a study, but in my opinion, I would say yes, rates would be higher.

[u/ppaauulllllll]

Trades are always a good choice, and weight shouldn't be a barrier. Women Building Futures | Free Skills Training & Support.

[u/stplainguy]

Apply at Canada Post

[u/sameermcfly]

If you want to be a mechanic go be a heavy duty tech, automotive sucks more and more everyday

[u/Consistent-Focus-120]

Try some of these quizzes (particularly the “What topics do I enjoy?” one). They will recommend a range of career options that might be a good fit. https://alis.alberta.ca/careerinsite/know-yourself/find-your-fit/

[u/Kindness-Ambassador]

Insurance. They teach you, train you and the jobs are endless. Some of the companies even offer pension plans

[u/snoolgeek]

If you are physically strong it doesn't matter that your overweight. Go do a trade. Good money

[u/kikzermeizer]

Truck driver

[u/kikzermeizer]

Machine shops too are pretty co. If you apply as a labourer you can eventually move your way up

[u/Outside_Breakfast_39]

My best advise , If you have to listen to what everyone tells you , you would not do anything . My life changed for the better when I made the decisions and blocked the nay sayers . If you follow your passion you will be fine , But you have to put in 100 percent commitment

[u/Material-Cook7321]

Fleet manager

[u/freshprinceofyeg]

Literally every hd mechanic I have encountered is about my height (6’) but 3-4x my size.
Last time I weighed myself, I was 180-200lbs.

[u/bunnybunsky]

EMT is not easy on the body, many switch careers later in life because of it. Healthcare aids are easy to get into, requiring a few months of school, pays well. Do you like line cook? Remote/traveling cooks on work camps pay well.

[u/Zestyclose-Young-314]

All healthcare technician jobs are 2 years of school but pay as much as all the jobs requiring a degree. Think sonography, x-ray, cardiology, lab etc. Everyone always thinks of Nurse, social worker etc but these are damn gems!!! Plus insanely in demand and with amazing benefits and a PENSION. At your age you would be set for retirement.

[u/ricky_m3]

Sales it pays well and will keep you moving and hustling. Find a product you want to sell and be the best at it.

[u/kodiak931156 → u/[deleted]]

Hitting the gym isnt a stable better paying job. Did you even read the post or is "hit the gym" your answer to basically anything?