Good Career choices: Should I become a Geologist or an Electrician?

[TheOraclePaul]

Question for everyone: should I become a geologist or an electrician? I finished my undergrad a couple of years ago and was working in sales. However, the stress of selling something no one needs got to me and now I'm looking to make a switch. I have a family friend that has a connection for me in the local Industrial Electrical Union that could probably get me a job as an apprentice. The alternative is I continue studying for my GRE and go to graduate school for geology. I am worried about wages/the economy for both. I know geologists are doing well but what if prices collapse? Also, if I become an electrician, it's possible the industrial places I end up working could close down in a collapse.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[danda]

electrician.

 

[phill4paul]

^^^

 

[thoughtomator]

Electrician for sure... even in the event of a major breakdown of the present system, electric services will still be in demand.

Only economic reason I can see for going into geology would be for mining and other resource exploitation (e.g. oil). But the number of people needed for that is fairly limited, I think, and Lord knows there must be a surplus of people with geology degrees.

 

[TheOraclePaul]

Heres the thing: an apprentice electrician starts at 16$/hr. After two years I'll be at like 22$/hr. However, if i do a masters in Geology, I can graduate and get a job at 70-80,000$ a year. There is a massive demand for them right now. Also, the schooling for a masters degree is paid for by the university, so I won't end up in debt (according to my professor that knew someone that did it).

It just sucks having to start at the bottom again as an apprentice...I could have done that 8 years ago at age 16 instead of 24 (which is how old i am now!).

 

[CaptUSA]

Depends on where you are located. If you are in the Marcellus belt, I'd say stick with Geology. You'll make a bundle.

However, if you want job security, an electrician's job won't make you wealthy, but you'll never starve either.

 

[TonySutton]

Do something you love or become a slave to your job.

 

[pcgame]

......

 

[TheOraclePaul]

Do something you love or become a slave to your job.

Very true. Problem is, I have been thinking about what I want to do with my life for 3-4 years on an almost hourly basis - it has become a serious mental problem for me. Something that complicates my decision is knowing the economic situation we are in and that if I don't pick right I am going to be screwed and not be able to take care of a family.

 

[TheOraclePaul]

Another thing to add in is I want to move to a warm climate (Australia, California/Florida). I'm tired of cold winters and get depressed at the lack of sun here in Canada. I know I could go where electricians are in huge demand (Australia) but that would take 4-5 years until I complete my training. Whereas in Geology, I could move there after I finish 2 years of school.

 

[V3n]

I've heard - You can get paid for what you do; or you can get paid for what you know.

I've always believed it is better to get paid for what you know. Your body will almost always wear out before your mind does.

Go Geologist if you have an interest in that field. It will take longer, but it's a better investment in your mind.

(this is my opinion only and I have nothing but respect for Electricians - if there are any here it would be great to hear from your experience)

 

[Eagles' Wings]

Another thing to add in is I want to move to a warm climate (Australia, California/Florida). I'm tired of cold winters and get depressed at the lack of sun here in Canada. I know I could go where electricians are in huge demand (Australia) but that would take 4-5 years until I complete my training. Whereas in Geology, I could move there after I finish 2 years of school.

You seem to know yourself well. You've done the research. Is it possible to work in both fields? Get the apprenticeship and work there while going to grad school? Oh, and good that you are single while figuring this out. Best to you!

 

[Machiavelli]

IT

 

[Southron]

Be sure you can find work as a geologist. You can find work as an electrician many places.

 

[Kluge]

Personally, I'd go for electrician. Study geology on the side.

 

[Tod]

I know a retired geology professor. He retired several years ago at age 50, lives on an island next to a national park, owns a couple of fairly large boats along with his house (all paid for in cash), and has a hobby/business he enjoys that keeps him busy in the winter months.

Either trade/profession has good earning potential. Which one would you enjoy more and, to a lesser degree, do you want to live in a specific place?

 

[oyarde]

Take your best shot and decide . Electrician is a good job . Geology would be more fun . When I was young I was practical , I am old now and not so concerned , all of my kids are grown and out of school. Best of luck to you !

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Geology is less likely to be effected by a glut of cheap, imported labor.

 

[rpwi]

Not an expert on either industry... But with geology, you will probably get one of two jobs. You will probably be a professor or you will most probably work for the mining/oil industries. If you have ethical qualms about selling junk to people who don't need it, then you could have qualms with finding deposits/oils in areas in which the ground water table could be put at risk. Your job security will also be pretty dependent on the price of oil/natural resources which explains why geology is on the upswing now. You might watch the documentary Gasland as a sample of what you may experience.

If you are serious about geology, thoroughly investigate the placement data for graduates for your school and major. You may consider finding another school which has a stronger geology/industry integration and would make you more marketable when you get out of school.

I dabbled with the idea of a geology major when I was in school...but the placement data was awful...it very well could be that times have changed though. My vote would be for the apprenticeship.

 

[TheOraclePaul]

Not an expert on either industry... But with geology, you will probably get one of two jobs. You will probably be a professor or you will most probably work for the mining/oil industries. If you have ethical qualms about selling junk to people who don't need it, then you could have qualms with finding deposits/oils in areas in which the ground water table could be put at risk. Your job security will also be pretty dependent on the price of oil/natural resources which explains why geology is on the upswing now. You might watch the documentary Gasland as a sample of what you may experience.

If you are serious about geology, thoroughly investigate the placement data for graduates for your school and major. You may consider finding another school which has a stronger geology/industry integration and would make you more marketable when you get out of school.

I dabbled with the idea of a geology major when I was in school...but the placement data was awful...it very well could be that times have changed though. My vote would be for the apprenticeship.

The placement data is pretty good for MASTERS graduates. Undergrad, I think that there are a lot of them so it's much more difficult to find a job. I would be attending one of the top 5 geology schools in the country: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of California Berkeley...etc... All research I've done was geared towards job prospects after graduation, and those schools had the 1. highest starting salaries and 2. highest ratings for geology education. They are also schools where the big companies do most of their hirings.

I'm still as confused as ever though. It sucks because I think I would be a great wealth manager, but I don't want to deal with bureaucracy which is what the banks offer. I've been great at managing my own money (50$K in savings) despite only really working part time jobs and putting myself through university.