White Collar to Blue Collar transition advice

[WYRD]

I completely understand the burnout issue. Dealing with the same old crap day in and day out gets old really fast. The only issue is I think you have that in any industry if you stay in it long enough. Grass is not always greener on the other side.

That's said we're predicted to need 50% more electricity in this country within the next 20 years due to AI and the electrification of pretty much everything. Finding something in the electrical field might be a safe bet for job security.

 

[Gelcoater]

How long can ones body maintain a blue collar job? My hats go off to you guys who do it every day!

Depends on the trade and ones constitution I suppose?
Injury becomes much more concerning as we get older.

The guy Dave, that shoots gelcoat at Shockwave is a little over 70!
He keeps himself in good shape and while he says he’s going to retire next year? He’s been saying that for 3 years now

 

[FreeBird236]

Not sure this applies much to your situation, but at 38, out of shape and burnt out in a sales job, I went to a civil service type job at a water district. First week there I had a shovel and a jackhammer in my hands and was getting my ass kicked. 20 years later I retired as the new construction inspector and sure am glad I made the change. The difference for you is it sounds like you could be walking away from good money, I didn't. Good luck, nothing worse than being burnt out.

 

[CLdrinker]

View attachment 1472338

I completely understand the burnout issue. Dealing with the same old crap day in and day out gets old really fast. The only issue is I think you have that in any industry if you stay in it long enough. Grass is not always greener on the other side.

That's said we're predicted to need 50% more electricity in this country within the next 20 years due to AI and the electrification of pretty much everything. Finding something in the electrical field might be a safe bet for job security.

 

[Nosocks]

Interesting replies, a couple folks DM’d me. Will reach out soon.

To clarify, I’m interested in purchasing or investing in a business, not crawling in attics myself. I’m no longer in shape for that.

Also, the AI thing is going to be a major issue in 5-10 years if you don’t work in a role that requires manual dexterity (like a trade), or something that requires building trust with other humans (sales, influencers, financial advisors, etc).

I work in tech, I’ve got some first hand insight. Trust me on this.

I wrote a longer explanation, but I’ll just say that the corporate game changes drastically at that top 1% mark vs a mid level role.

 

[RichL]

Picking a trade is a hard decision. None are easy money. Customers can be great or difficult. It's very hard to determine which ones are good to work with.

You think everything is great and boom you get a difficult customer. They will make you want to throw in the towel and go work at McDonald's or home depot. Then you have numerous great customers forget about the bad and out the blue you get another difficult one. Something years between sometimes months.

This...100%

 

[brgrcru]

Go fly airplanes
Get your flying time in
Being a1%er. You must know people
That fly Lear jets ?

Just saying

 

[Nosocks]

Go fly airplanes
Get your flying time in
Being a1%er. You must know people
That fly Lear jets ?

Just saying

1% today doesn’t get as far as you’d think, especially if you’re not inclined to finance everything to the moon.

Private jet people are the 0.01%. But I do know some.

I’m in the first/business class wherever possible crowd on planes.

I fit into the HENRY crowd - High Earner, Not Rich Yet. Minus their typical fixation on luxury brands, rampant borrowing, etc.

 

[Singleton]

Interesting replies, a couple folks DM’d me. Will reach out soon.

To clarify, I’m interested in purchasing or investing in a business, not crawling in attics myself. I’m no longer in shape for that.

Also, the AI thing is going to be a major issue in 5-10 years if you don’t work in a role that requires manual dexterity (like a trade), or something that requires building trust with other humans (sales, influencers, financial advisors, etc).

I work in tech, I’ve got some first hand insight. Trust me on this.

I wrote a longer explanation, but I’ll just say that the corporate game changes drastically at that top 1% mark vs a mid level role.

100% different perspective working for one of the largest software companies using AI to make redundant tasks easier.
Lower level managers and staff will be impacted more then executives. What used to take staff, will be automated and then someone needs to make a decision. Almost all AI we are introducing requires a human to review the proposal and decide what proposal/action will be taken.

Meta is going a different direction and is looking to replace mid-level and lower level software engineers with AI bots. This will be interesting to watch and will impact IT staff in 5-10 years.

Those that understand how AI will impact a business will see career opportunities with tremendous growth. Those that can’t pivot with technology will be finding other things to do. I sit in rooms almost daily with C-level folks, talking AI and how it will impact your business. Almost all see a different resource requirement (thinkers vs doers) in the future, but don’t see large percentages of resources being replaced with AI in business operations. Within IT, that is a different ballgame as daily tasks that people do today get replaced by AI.

 

[Cobalt232]

1% today doesn’t get as far as you’d think, especially if you’re not inclined to finance everything to the moon.

Private jet people are the 0.01%. But I do know some.

I’m in the first/business class wherever possible crowd on planes.

I fit into the HENRY crowd - High Earner, Not Rich Yet. Minus their typical fixation on luxury brands, rampant borrowing, etc.

re: I fit into the HENRY crowd - High Earner, Not Rich Yet. Minus their typical fixation on luxury brands, rampant.....

That's the second time I have heard HENRY today and I had never heard it before. The other was for an investment pitch for NYC apartments.

 

[BHC Vic]

Well now I’m curious… what’s a high earner? 400k a year single income?

 

[rivermobster]

1% today doesn’t get as far as you’d think, especially if you’re not inclined to finance everything to the moon.

Private jet people are the 0.01%. But I do know some.

I’m in the first/business class wherever possible crowd on planes.

I fit into the HENRY crowd - High Earner, Not Rich Yet. Minus their typical fixation on luxury brands, rampant borrowing, etc.

No kids? No wife?

Go get your captains license.

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[Nosocks]

Well now I’m curious… what’s a high earner? 400k a year single income?

There's an article from 2008 that defines is at 250-500. Adjusting for inflation that's 350-700 today.

Though my friends in wealth management see it at $400k/$500k to $1m earned from a salary alone.

They would exit the "not rich yet" part around $3-5m net worth since they've got some "fuck you money" that allows them to quit a job they don't like.

 

[Nosocks]

100% different perspective working for one of the largest software companies using AI to make redundant tasks easier.
Lower level managers and staff will be impacted more then executives. What used to take staff, will be automated and then someone needs to make a decision. Almost all AI we are introducing requires a human to review the proposal and decide what proposal/action will be taken.

Meta is going a different direction and is looking to replace mid-level and lower level software engineers with AI bots. This will be interesting to watch and will impact IT staff in 5-10 years.

Those that understand how AI will impact a business will see career opportunities with tremendous growth. Those that can’t pivot with technology will be finding other things to do. I sit in rooms almost daily with C-level folks, talking AI and how it will impact your business. Almost all see a different resource requirement (thinkers vs doers) in the future, but don’t see large percentages of resources being replaced with AI in business operations. Within IT, that is a different ballgame as daily tasks that people do today get replaced by AI.

Partly agree, but I think you're glazing over the sudden surplus of white collar workers as a bunch of people at those low-mid level roles are out of work.

Those people don't vanish just because the job did, and there isn't a clear solution for what they should do in the economy.

 

[Singleton]

Partly agree, but I think you're glazing over the sudden surplus of white collar workers as a bunch of people at those low-mid level roles are out of work.

Those people don't vanish just because the job did, and there isn't a clear solution for what they should do in the economy.

Going to sound like an Ass.
Those that have a position eliminated due to AI in the next few years should not be waiting to be told what to do. You have to know where you’re going. Those low-mid level folks should be talking to their mentors on what could be. If they don’t have a mentor, that is problem 1.

I tell all my mentees, you need to have at least 3 different paths, at all times, that you can execute on. Example - I could 1) move to another company in pre-sales leadership, 2) transition back into audit leadership, 3) move into consulting or 4) move into software strategy. All 4 of those paths would be executed on very quickly. All 4 paths, will be impacted by AI in the next 10-15 years, but all will require a human to make decisions.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Stay where you are and save every dime and invest it.

Obviously starting a family and having kids will change this but if you plan to be single cash out at 40 and head to the Philippines with a couple million and ball out for the remainder of life.

I can tell you I felt amazing physically at 30 . Felt pretty dang good at 40 and as I creep closer to my 49th Birthday I can tell you there is no freaking way I could climb a ladder or work under sinks all week at my age. Sad part is I have never been healthier or stronger but the body starts to fall apart pretty quick.

20-35 is a good age for the trades but by 40 you need to transition to an office job or you are going to be in trouble.

 

[J DUNN]

I haven’t read the whole thread so pardon me if I’m repeating something already covered.

Average “Top 1%” earners in 2024 made an average annual income of $800,000.

Maybe that’s you, maybe it’s not. Doesn’t really matter here but what would be good to know is your target annual income.
Are you willing to relocate?
I think a fairly easy entry would be rental of trailers or heavy equipment but you’d need to find the right market.
Or pick any trade and find a minority share partner that knows the ropes, you come in with capital, assuming you have some.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

This thread aligns with what keeps me up at night right now. I work in a corporate gig and mostly hate it. I spend most nights thinking about how to get out. I have it about as good as it is gonna get and I still hate my job, just like every other job I have had. Its spelled JOB, NOT; FUN.

For those that say plumbing, I was a Plumber, a Plumbing Design Engineer and a C36 Plumbing Contractor. I quit that trade and unless I am starving I won't go back. The insurance claims and back charges made doing business impossible. One leak and you are gonna lose a pile of money. I don't care how good you are, the customers will make shit leak and let it run to do maximum damage. Working for a GC just meant I was part of the financing for the project, paying for all the labor and material and waiting to get paid. Terrible business model. I lost so much money by 2008 it took me 13 years to pay off the debt.

If I was thirty, single and well off, I would move to a mountain town, pay cash for a cabin, become a fishing guide and row a drift boat every day. Develop a habit of doing things society deems inappropriate, drive a old truck with a carburetor and points and keep a good black dog around for company. A younger version of @HubbaHubbaLife

 

[Justsomeguy]

Depends on the trade and ones constitution I suppose?
Injury becomes much more concerning as we get older.

The guy Dave, that shoots gelcoat at Shockwave is a little over 70!
He keeps himself in good shape and while he says he’s going to retire next year? He’s been saying that for 3 years now

He just got a place in willow valley, better make it another 3.

 

[WYRD]

This thread aligns with what keeps me up at night right now. I work in a corporate gig and mostly hate it. I spend most nights thinking about how to get out. I have it about as good as it is gonna get and I still hate my job, just like every other job I have had. Its spelled JOB, NOT; FUN.

For those that say plumbing, I was a Plumber, a Plumbing Design Engineer and a C36 Plumbing Contractor. I quit that trade and unless I am starving I won't go back. The insurance claims and back charges made doing business impossible. One leak and you are gonna lose a pile of money. I don't care how good you are, the customers will make shit leak and let it run to do maximum damage. Working for a GC just meant I was part of the financing for the project, paying for all the labor and material and waiting to get paid. Terrible business model. I lost so much money by 2008 it took me 13 years to pay off the debt.

If I was thirty, single and well off, I would move to a mountain town, pay cash for a cabin, become a fishing guide and row a drift boat every day. Develop a habit of doing things society deems inappropriate, drive a old truck with a carburetor and points and keep a good black dog around for company. A younger version of @HubbaHubbaLife

Just like the weak link in a chain.....a company is only as strong as its weakest employee.

 

[530RL]

Well now I’m curious… what’s a high earner? 400k a year single income?

To be in the top 1% of earners in the US, one must make right around 600k per year.

That will squeeze you barely in.

 

[ChevelleSB406]

I work in tech, certainly not at that income level, (yet, hopefully moving that direction). I automate business processes and build things with Salesforce and other related tools. When it comes to ai, its crazy what is possible, its also crazy what people think it will do for them out of the box. Training of the AI is going to be huge, and hopefully that will keep me busy until I retire in 25 years. Right now, anyone and everyone wants to deploy an ai bot, with no plan or program to do stuff with it. The heavy hitters definitely do, maybe 1% of the companies are approaching it with enough focus. Its like anything else, its a checkmark for an executive to say they have a program or a roadmap, no idea on value proposition or anything else. Salesforce themselves are touting their bots out of the box that are no better than a college student project, they will never be in the game selling them, they have the platform to help build your own for your own customer support, lead generation, you name it.

Sorry for the long winded 2 cents, but in summary, if I was just some code monkey developer in software, building off a requirement sheet, I would be worried. If you are still working in a strategic role, and where you want to take your software, and can write the specs, then AI might be your developers very soon.

 

[badgas]

I used to be in that 1% earnings crowd but Covid ended that for me. I was in a small niche of an industry that going away eventually but the ride lasted 10 years longer than I thought it would.

Now I work doing in home sales and project management for contractors. IMO you are just trading rat races. In the trades everyone is busy from the top down if they are making money.

Are you are willing to make less money for a gain in quality of life ? My advice would be to lower your lifestyle now and stack as much money as you can so when you do make the move you have choices. Being single with no kids you should be able to make big moves.

When the hammer drops having No debt in world and a year worth of living expenses in the bank will soften the blow.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Question: Is it truly the "rat race", the rats you race, or the place you race? Business owners have different headaches, blue or white collar, same thing. Even when I thought I was doing "good", I was maybe a third of that 1% number. To do that, I had the boss man headache, and the body beat to hell. What I'm thinking, it sounds like you must be good at what you do. Maybe doing the same thing somewhere else or for someone else will change the view of the race at hand.

I've also heard nail and hair salons are quite lucrative...

 

[Justsomeguy]

View attachment 1472338

I completely understand the burnout issue. Dealing with the same old crap day in and day out gets old really fast. The only issue is I think you have that in any industry if you stay in it long enough. Grass is not always greener on the other side.

That's said we're predicted to need 50% more electricity in this country within the next 20 years due to AI and the electrification of pretty much everything. Finding something in the electrical field might be a safe bet for job security.

This pretty much hits the nail on the head. I think everyone has it. Perspective is everything. I have days i want out the office. But most days I'm reminded how lucky i am to be inside, to be able to work remotely, etc. As long as my brain works i can do what I do until I don't need to.

Why we need hobbies to reset.

 

[LakeMead Boater]

This thread aligns with what keeps me up at night right now. I work in a corporate gig and mostly hate it. I spend most nights thinking about how to get out. I have it about as good as it is gonna get and I still hate my job, just like every other job I have had. Its spelled JOB, NOT; FUN.

For those that say plumbing, I was a Plumber, a Plumbing Design Engineer and a C36 Plumbing Contractor. I quit that trade and unless I am starving I won't go back. The insurance claims and back charges made doing business impossible. One leak and you are gonna lose a pile of money. I don't care how good you are, the customers will make shit leak and let it run to do maximum damage. Working for a GC just meant I was part of the financing for the project, paying for all the labor and material and waiting to get paid. Terrible business model. I lost so much money by 2008 it took me 13 years to pay off the debt.

If I was thirty, single and well off, I would move to a mountain town, pay cash for a cabin, become a fishing guide and row a drift boat every day. Develop a habit of doing things society deems inappropriate, drive an old truck with a carburetor and points and keep a good black dog around for company. A younger version of @HubbaHubbaLife

It’s funny, your last paragraph references a kid I went to high school with almost to a t. He was the star quarterback and student, got a full ride, got hurt. Continued to pursue and then finally started coaching, had a great gig, etc. In his late 20’s/early 30’s stopped it all and became a fishing guide around Bishop. Entirely different human and has never been happier.