To Be or Not to Be

That is the question. About 5 months ago I was let go from my prior employer and have been trying to get back into the industry I called 'what I do' for almost 6 years. I proudly stand behind my work. I also enjoyed what I do or did and I was good at it, the numbers don't lie. That's why I get so frustrated sometimes standing on the outside looking in after so many resumes to my industry mates end up in the wind. I have my opinions on why that is but this is not the place to air that. I'm starting to read the writing on the wall, that the industry I called what I do for so long is done with me. I can't change the circumstances I've been handed, I can only respond, and my response will dictate how I'm measured as a person.

I have a couple ideas for a career path in mind, two very different ones. They both involve some level of a return to the classroom. One involves an expensive and intense return to the classroom, and a pretty nice schedule when all is said and done. The other would involve a much cheaper and less intense return to the classroom, learning on the job and more obscure Presidents rolling in sooner. The first option is becoming a teacher. The return to the classroom would entail a consolidated Masters Degree program at the local college. The program is great, not cheap and cut throat. I also have not taught in a classroom so I don't know if it's something I really like. It does sound really cool though. For the short term I'm in the process of becoming certified as a substitute teacher to test the waters and pull down some more obscure Presidents. The sub gig is basically a requirement before entering the program so hopefully everyone that goes into it knows before they get there if it's what they really want. Wise move Master Luke.

The other path I'm pondering is some sort of trade i.e. plumbing, electrician, general contractor, carpenter, just something with my hands. We own a house. For those that have a house you know how busy they leave your hands. Those that don't own one have probably heard the horror stories and torrid tales of repairing appliances and fixtures and money flying out the door for one thing or another. Low and behold I have found I really enjoy doing those things. In our house alone I've stripped wood paneling and wallpaper, sanded spackled sanded and painted 3 rooms, removed carpeting, replaced the trap on the bathroom sink once, replaced pipes in the kitchen sink at least twice, taken the kitchen faucet apart once (and will be doing it again today to fix a stubborn wobble) replaced the threshold on an exterior door and built a cloffice, installed new crown moulding and trim and fixed window sills. Oh by the way a cloffice is a closet turned into an office. Slick eh? After all these projects I find myself looking for the next project to complete or dreaming up possible things I can do. I've pondered doing something like a trade recently but had thought I might resent it if I was being paid for it. With one of the recent projects I conquered, replacing the threshold, I found myself counting down the days until I could start the project, I was actually excited to do it. It had a few speed bumps along but even with those it was still really enjoyable. I'm realizing that I might not resent doing something like that if I was paid for it and am beginning to embrace the possibility. I love the idea of doing something that has a tangible benefit to society (which is present in both options so the jury is still out on which career path I'll head down.)

I'm not sure which one I'll pursue. I'll do a lot of research and talking with people and most importantly talking with the Tremendous and Lovely Wife and deciding what works best for us. For now I have some finishing touches to do on the crown moulding and a stubborn wobbling kitchen faucet to fix before I study for my sub teacher certification test. 5 extra credit points if you remember how to calculate the volume of a cylinder.