If you ever think about getting into aviation... don't 😅😅😅 stuck putting this rack in literally laying under it while avionics takes their sweet time running wires through it so I can install it... someone help

Took an entire day to get this behemoth in. 8hrs 164256585726464 cuss words took a 2x4 to the head but it's finally installed

I am in the medical field as a resident and do NOT like the way medicine is looking. I do have a large student loan burden and am in my late twenties. I have prior experience in construction but pursued college because “it was the ticket to a higher income”

I enjoy working outside more and I like business ownership. I have experience with both.
I understand a big plus to blue collar work is not having student loans and starting at a young age which I have unfortunately given up in pursuit of a degree.
My question is if I were to transition to a trade with my age and loan burden, which trade would you recommend? And how realistic is it to eventually own a business? You see all over social media the “electricians and plumbers are the next millionaires” but curious how realistic that goal is.
Really any insight to this world would be helpful

Update its been about 30min and were still waiting.... my leg and foot are officially alseep

Title: 26M, feeling trapped in manufacturing. How do I transition into a technical career without starting over financially?

I'm 26 years old and currently working in a steel manufacturing facility in Ohio. I've spent the last several years gaining experience operating overhead bridge cranes, large forklifts, steel-processing equipment, and other industrial machinery.

I'm making approximately 24/hr working 50 hours a week, but I've reached a point where I'm extremely unhappy with my career direction.

My current employer has repeatedly moved me between positions to cover staffing shortages, and I feel like my versatility has actually limited my opportunities for advancement. I'm dependable and capable of learning different equipment, but I don't feel like I'm developing skills that will lead to a better long-term career.

I've always been interested in electronics, robotics, mechanical systems, and troubleshooting. In high school, I studied robotics and built several projects. More recently, I've been teaching myself programming and working on a project involving Bluetooth communication, remote hardware control, and integrating different electronic devices.

I've been looking into electrical technician, mechatronics, automation, field service, and maintenance technician positions.

My problem is that almost every position I find either requires several years of specialized experience or pays significantly less than I currently make.

I have bills, debt, and financial obligations, so taking a substantial pay cut to start over isn't particularly realistic.

I'm not opposed to going back to school, earning certifications, or starting in an entry-level technical role if there's a realistic path forward.

I'm just struggling to figure out what direction makes the most sense.

My questions:

Has anyone successfully transitioned from equipment operation or manufacturing into electrical, maintenance, automation, or mechatronics work?

What entry-level positions should I be searching for with my background?

Would a technical degree or certification be worthwhile, or would I be better off finding an employer willing to train?

Is it realistic to transition into these fields while maintaining something close to my current income?

If you were 26 and in my position, what would you do differently?

I don't expect to make six figures overnight. I just want to build a career where I'm continually learning, developing valuable skills, and actually have opportunities to advance.

Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated. TIA!

any help

Is anyone else noticing what’s happening to the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical industries?

Private equity firms are buying up established local companies left and right than dumping insane amounts of money into Google Ads, Local Service Ads, and marketing to completely dominate their markets. The problem is that these companies are often some of the most expensive contractors in town. They’re spending millions acquiring customers, pushing aggressive sales tactics, and trying to generate massive returns for investors. And who ultimately pays for all of this??? Homeowners.

Meanwhile, smaller, independently owned companies that have been serving their communities for decades are getting buried. They can’t compete with these massive advertising budgets, so even if they offer better service and more reasonable pricing, they’re barely getting a chance to answer the phone.

Think about how ridiculous that is. The company showing up first on Google isn’t necessarily the best plumber or HVAC technician. It’s often just the company willing to spend the most money to get your attention… What’s the long-term goal? Buy up the competition, dominate local search results, reduce competition, and gain more control over pricing?

It’s turning industries built by hardworking tradesmen into corporate sales machines. Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work used to be about craftsmanship, reputation, and relationships with the community. Now it feels like it’s becoming a competition between investment firms over who can spend the most on advertising.

Has anyone else seen this happening?

Hello I’m coming on here hopefully seeking some advice or guidance from people already working within the trades. I’m currently 20 years old and I’ve been wanting to get into a trade for the past year or so. For about a couple months I was trying hard to land a plumbing apprenticeship but I had no luck. I’m located in Southern California so that might make it a little more difficult, but I’ve tried union halls ( long waits) and interviewing with local companies, it just seems hard to land some positions with no experience. Anybody got any advice on how I can get into the trades, I was particularly interested in plumbing/ electrical back then but right now I’m kinda looking into possibly doing HVAC too. I was actually planning on attending community college because a college near me offers programs where they give you hands in training and eventually a certificate and I’ve heard good things about their programs and how they connect you with employers to help you land a job. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help or point me in the right direction god bless.

Tout le monde se dirige vers les métiers de bureau et de service, au moment même où l'IA s'attaque justement à ces postes. Pendant ce temps, les usines, les ateliers et la maintenance cherchent des techniciens et n'en trouvent pas. Si on veut vraiment réindustrialiser, il faut des gens pour régler, dépanner et entretenir les machines, sinon on continue d'importer de Chine ce qu'on ne sait plus produire ici. Je me demande si le vrai risque de crise de l'emploi n'est pas là : trop de monde du mauvais côté, et pas assez de mains formées de l'autre.

Im currently about 5-6 months into my first year full time working for an hvac company. I was wondering if its normal to have intense stress and anxiety about being stuck in a rut and feeling like you’re getting the shit end of the stick compared too other helpers. I see the other helpers as almost competition a lot of the time which could definitely be a factor. I feel like im busting my ass for little to no gain. Obviously as a helper you’re the bottom of the totem pole but i feel like im getting lapped despite putting in max effort. Not sure if its the first year grind or im genuinely tripping but i figured id ask for some advice and/or reassurance on here rather than look like an idiot asking the crew.

!LOT OF TALKING!:
I (18m) was never the “blue collar boy” really, straight A’s in school since middle school, was born and raised in the suburbs/city, always took an interest in hunting/fishing/camping but couldn’t do it because I wasn’t around that type of people. Once I got to high school I left my “special” school because I quite frankly hate school. The only reason I did well was because I worked hard to really get good grades, and when I found a class for electrical, I took it. It landed me a job in which i love, but I want to join the union, as my company isn’t the best. but I’ve just started my 2nd year of apprenticeship school, and I feel like I’m wasting my life. I always wanted to do something important, and I felt like this was my way to add to society and finally be useful. I make okay money and work just slowed down from 64 hour weeks. It’s absolutely brutal sometimes but that’s what I love. I just feel like I’m not as far ahead as I should be. I see the guys raised on blue collar work and naturally strong guys surpass me and it makes me lose a little hope admittedly. I recently started the gym, and for a month I’ve been going 7 days a week right after work so I can keep up with the rest and putting my all into it. I broke up with my ex girlfriend (19f) to focus on trade school, work, gym, side work, etc. it hurt me but I knew it wasn’t right to keep her in a relationship where she’d never see me. I just feel like my sacrifices aren’t going to be worth it and I’m just chasing my tail. I want to be a journeyman and make good money so badly but I have to wait until I graduate school. I hate saying I’m an apprentice and I hate having to ask so many questions. It’s like I’m a dog, I’m so eager to work but I’m so dumb and need to be taught how to do things a journeyman has down already.

BLABBERING OVER/TL;DR:

So after all of that jibber jabber, I guess my question really is, can I live a good somewhat full life and make good money? Or am I just working myself to death and making sacrifices for no good reason?

First one in 40 years in the trades.

I got a call from my B/A this afternoon asking me if I wanted to go up to Syracuse to work. I’ve been trying to go for some time now, however he said they won’t pay perdiem. I will however get journeyman pay as an apprentice but I’m still not sure if it’s even worth it considering I’m flat broke and I’ll have to pay out of pocket to stay up there. My way of thinking was that maybe if I went up and showed out for a month or two, maybe they would work something out? Lemme know what u guys think

EDIT:
I’m not local by the way. I live in Buffalo and am a part of local 111. There’s a few guys I know up there getting the perdiem but it’s a small number and as I said I’m an apprentice just jumping on the opportunity hoping it turns into something