what do I want to be when I grow-up?
 

Hi all,

I was just let go from my job of 28 years, and I'm trying to find a new profession. I can go to collage if I want but what do I become? My old job was building and repairing ships,
I'm hurt and no longer can climb stairs or bend over; have a medium weight lifting limit. This leaves me a few choices office work-I don't know ? any advice would be helpful.

Thanks Wayne

I'd go with what you know. Get a degree in an engineering related field that focuses on ships or some such and get an office job on the design/admin end of ship building. You could also just try and get an admin job in the same field; it works sometimes even though you don't have the specific experience. My friend was in construction for a long time and was in a similar situation, they had to let him go but ended up rehiring him for payroll (+ odd jobs).

PS College

I have physical limitations that preclude working in some of the jobs I like. What I have done is shift to jobs that are mental, not physical. I am currently in a program for my Masters in Education, TESOL. When I finish the degree next year, I will enter the Education Doctorate program. I intend to work the next 50 years or so in education, preferably at the University level with tenure, supplemented by consultancy, textbook writing (I'm already collaborating on two series), and research funding.

How can you leverage your knowledge gained through hands-on work into brain-driven work? Naval architecture? Some other engineering field? Teaching? What is your passion? Was building boats a passion, or a job? Once you decide what you want to do, make it happen! Good luck!