Serious Advice From the Ones That know

Robert, you need to redo your photos as when clicked on, they remain thumbnail size. 640 by 480 is a good size to use on the bb.

After you put up the larger photos, we will all enjoy looking at them!

I read your story and I'm sure you will receive appropriate responses here.

GWH

R4catkid,

I think if I were you and could find the financing, I'd plan on college. With your desire to be around equipment, civil engineering might be a good option. To me, it seems to be the best of both worlds. Fair pay plus you'd already have some experience in operating machinery (and this make a big difference when you're telling some old phart what to do), unlike a lot of young guys who only have college edimacation but no absolutely no practical experience or sense.

A year or so between high school and college can be very valuable. You'll learn a good work ethic and hopefully not spend all the time partying. Don't make the same mistake I did, I went straight to work from high school for a few years, then after marriage I decided to further my education. In classes I was the one who'd tell the yahoos screwing off to either shut the f*** up or get the hell out. I was there to learn! It's rough trying to work, raise a family and school all at the same time.

I gotta go with oldgrump......go to school. I went to work right out of high school. Unlike grump I wasn't willing to go back to school so I joined the Army. Well I stay there for 20 years, playing around on tanks. I'm 53, 70% disabled all service connected, pop pills and hurt everyday. Now I really wish I had gone back to school!

Rick

Robert--College is the way to go!! I bought my first machine, an R2 at 16 when i as a junior in high school--got convinced by friends and family to go to college and always have that to fall back on!--So i went and got a BS degree in civil engineering, working part time with my machine for partying money, and working for my uncle summers in the paving business. Graduated college and started my masters degree at night while becomming a teamster driving a truck on interstate highway work. Leaned all the ways that contractors could cheat on construction jobs. Then went to work for a county muncipality as a structural civil engineer and the practical knowledge i had put me miles ahead of the other engineers on abilitys and promotions. Had machines just about all my life and am really enjoying them now that i am retired, and still do occasional consulting engineering jobs--licensed in two states.

Get A background in electronics with good computer skills. electronics touches all aspects of logging and construction
I have ran equipment all my life but did not finish high school. I could no longer work for one big company that i put in 18 years with
it hit home while reading about hiring practices in a logging publication where an employer said he would rather have people with electronics skills than a lot of operating experience
Butch

Robert,

Feel free to call me, my # is 415-720-5936. I own a construction company. Feel free to look at my web site www.TeamGhilotti.com -glen ghilotti

I grew Farming and working in the small oil patches up around Bradford PA. Went in the Military for 5 years. Got out and spent 6 years survivng on low pay at various non-education required jobs. Went to school and got a Degree in Electrical Engineering while working part time. Majored in Power Distribution so I would be on the Generatoring side. Over the years, I have worked for a couple of Major Engine manufacturers and am currently employed at a Gen-Set packager. I can run virtually any kind of construction machine plus drive trucks and am knowlegable in all manufacturers of equipment because of the wide variety of engines that we put generators on. Where else can you burn up to $150 an hour of someone else's fuel and get paid doing it?
😊
I'm of the opinion that you should go to school, if you wait a year and work hard that year. It will one up your credibility both in school and in your career after that!
PS
Its fun having a good wage and a good job so you can afford to buy toys and go to various events around the states because you have the vacation time to do it!
Jeff

Robert,

As has already been said, a degree past High School is always a good thing to have! A BS (4 year) or even a AA degree (2 year Jr. college) will always give you the advantage over the guy with just a HS diploma! Chico State has a BS degree in Construction Management that my neighbor's son graduated from. Now he's a Construction Manager and using his head not his back! That said, if you search your soul and only want to operate equipment here's an idea; http://www.oe3.org/training/california.html. It's the Operating Engineers Local Union #3 website. In Sacramento County they have a well established Apprentice Program for equipment operators. Their website also mentions they have some scholarships that you might apply for; http://www.oe3.org/about/scholarship.html Check it out!

I have no affiliation with the OE3, I just know of their school location, and thought it might be a helpful suggestion. Best of luck to you!

John