blackangst1
Lifer
- Feb 23, 2005
- 22,902
- 2,359
- 126
My dad was with the Chicago and Northwestern for ~20 yrs. He took a buyout when Union Pacific took over about 11 yrs ago. He started out of high school as general laborer I believe (digging post holes and ditches) and worked his way up the chain to become Signal Maintainer (the person that wires, repairs, maintains all the signals along the tracks). Generally hard work, ok hours, would occasionally have to work nights if some major problem happened (train derailment), union gig so it paid well. He worked on an associate degree in EE during nights. No idea how it is now. Most of it is computerized now, but someone has to dig post holes and wire up the signals still. It was cool to be able to see all the trains up close and personal as a kid.
Overall it is not a bad way to go. It is definately blue collar work, you will get your hands dirty, but sometimes I wonder if it would be better than sitting in this cubicle all day long.
He now works as a salesman for a major train Signal producer, makes a good bit of money.
Overall it is not a bad way to go. It is definately blue collar work, you will get your hands dirty, but sometimes I wonder if it would be better than sitting in this cubicle all day long.
He now works as a salesman for a major train Signal producer, makes a good bit of money.
This actually seems very appealing to me. Anything I can do to get out of IT. Where can I get more information about this and look for a job?
I put this in the same category as truck drivers. One could make very good money doing it, but I'm personally not cut out for it. The long hours on the road would get to me after a few months.
60K might be "good pay" is some parts of the US, but it simply does not suffice in other regions.
you can't outsource auditing. you need human beings that can speak english at the physical location.
There are billions of other humans on this planet able and willing to do your accounting job for cheaper than you, and just as good as you.
You can outsource by bringing people IN.
What could I get with a degree in business in the Railroad field? Would that help me at all? What degrees would help to start at the upper end?
Here's the best resource you'll find on railroad jobs: http://rrb.gov/PandS/Jobs/rrjobs.asp
Also, at the bottom of the page are links to ALL major railroad companies.
Something else to consider is that railroads, historically, have excellent benefits, strong unions (debatable whether that's positive, imo) From what I've seen Union Pacific is doing the majority of the hiring, at least in the midwest.
There's also railroad retirement, which is all together different than social security. I haven't paid into SS for 9 years. 5 years in railroad industry gets you vested, with a pension as good as or better than a lifetime of paying social security. 30 years, right now, will net you about $4000 or better a month if you're married. Couple that with 401k, investments and savings and it's tough to beat
It also keeps up with inflation, so in 20 years, it will be far better.It's not for everyone, this is certain. And definitely not guys with strong family ties and kids.
This is true, but with no edjumacation it doesn't get a whole lot better. That's a starting wage, I'd say one would be to that scale in 2 years, with 75-80 attainable if you work long hours, stay on the extra board or similar. Extra board fills ALL vacancies, it's the craziest as far as hours, but there's the most money to be made there.
Take the average college kid, spends, lets just say 100,000 for 4 years of college. Start railroading out of HS, make 250,000 in that four years and you're already 350,000 ahead.
Your college grad pulls down, lets say 100,000 a year. railroader's making $75,000. Railroader's 250,000 ahead divided by 25,000, it's still going to take 10 years to equalize. And I VERY seriously doubt the average college grad pulls down $100,000 to start.
This said, I'm still going to finish my degree, a requirement for management positions, imo.
Wow, long winded...
you should reread the bolded part a few times.lol you honestly think billions of other humans have the intellect and personality to become an accountant? or maybe 404 sarcasm not found?
funboy6942
Lifer
- Nov 13, 2001
- 15,308
- 393
- 126
I used to do this kind of work and unless your a train enginer plan on hard back braking work with lots of shoveling and use of a pic axe. Lots of balast to clean out and put back in and even though they use a machine that takes it out, filters the rocks, then puts it back in you still need to replace broken wires that may be missed which means digging a new trech from the box to the track which could be several hundred feet if it is a shunt line and some rail road (atleast the ones in FL) dont like you using machines on the right of way and will require you to dig a 2 foot wide 3 feet deep trench. That and replacing rail, rail ties, putting in new gates, houses, ect...
BUT dont get me wrong. You are paid VERY well for the work and you will not need a gym membership the entire time you work for them. And once you get into the swing of things will be a brainless job with good pay and benifits. Just dont do what I did and work for the R&R and not for a subcontractor that will leave you stranded on the other side of the country away from where you live and lay your ass off on Christmas eve along with about 15,000 other employees.
BUT dont get me wrong. You are paid VERY well for the work and you will not need a gym membership the entire time you work for them. And once you get into the swing of things will be a brainless job with good pay and benifits. Just dont do what I did and work for the R&R and not for a subcontractor that will leave you stranded on the other side of the country away from where you live and lay your ass off on Christmas eve along with about 15,000 other employees.
The bolded statement isn't hard to understand (read: foreign insourcing). Even for aspiring bean counters.Originally posted by: JS80
lol you honestly think billions of other humans have the intellect and personality to become an accountant? or maybe 404 sarcasm not found?
No, not billions, but at least hundreds of millions, if not more have the ability to be an accountant.
Pesonality: Dresses like it's 1972 and has the vocal range of a speak n' spell.
Intellect: Ability to keep track of data, process data, present data when needed.
Though seriously, it's accounting, don't overglorify it. My potential future father inlaw is an accountant, has been his whole life, and his father before him the same.
Originally posted by: SampSon
The bolded statement isn't hard to understand (read: foreign insourcing). Even for aspiring bean counters.Originally posted by: JS80
lol you honestly think billions of other humans have the intellect and personality to become an accountant? or maybe 404 sarcasm not found?
No, not billions, but at least hundreds of millions, if not more have the ability to be an accountant.
Pesonality: Dresses like it's 1972 and has the vocal range of a speak n' spell.
Intellect: Ability to keep track of data, process data, present data when needed.
Though seriously, it's accounting, don't overglorify it. My potential future father inlaw is an accountant, has been his whole life, and his father before him the same.
There are many different types of accountants and infinite number of opportunities when you exit public accounting. Don't lump bookkeeper with accountant.
accountants do amazing things: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061009/ap_...0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-
god, don't tell people to be an accountant b/c accounting in college is not what "accounting" is like in the real world.
it sucks being a big 4 auditor. you deal with clients that don't care about what you do or why you are need information from them.
i got my cpa and experience and left.
it sucks being a big 4 auditor. you deal with clients that don't care about what you do or why you are need information from them.
i got my cpa and experience and left.
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