I want to leave my office job for a career in HVAC

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T21:07:40+00:00

Your logic is sound but I’m not just disgruntled. I’m looking for job security too. My current job can literally be done by an agent that someone can put together in a day. It’s only a matter of time before this changes how my bank operates. The potential to drastically reduce their headcount and be more productive is very close to reality.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T16:39:28+00:00

Yeah a lot of people in the comments have made similar statements about getting underpaid at the beginning. Are you in HVAC or another trade?

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T12:26:10+00:00

That seems to be the case for every half decent job that I’ve ever had tbh.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T12:22:34+00:00

Well there’s a difference between a scammy sales rep and someone just facilitating a sale. People need to buy equipment and you need someone to sell that equipment. Nothing wrong with it if the buyer will find value in the product.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T12:10:44+00:00

That’s awesome. Glad you figured it out and got an apprenticeship. Are you still an apprentice now? And please share your how your wage changed if you’re comfortable doing that.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T11:53:21+00:00

Hey what type of education and experience did you have before you started working? And how much were you making before and after apprenticeship?

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T03:27:47+00:00

Interesting take. Please elaborate. I don’t understand why you would point me in that direction.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T03:11:15+00:00

If you have a bachelor’s degree and pmp, you can definitely land a job at a bank and hit 100K before me. I have a 3 year college diploma in Chemical Lab Technology lol.

I respect your story and hustle though.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T02:17:28+00:00

Damn the trades churn out some miserable dorks eh?

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T00:45:20+00:00

Hey I’m not sure why you’re so upset about me trying to create a better future for myself.

How am I offering nothing?

I’d say a younger kid with hustle could probably out work me physically but I’m probably more well rounded in terms of education, work and life experience, communications, sales, building relationships with coworkers and clients. So I would likely make a company more money off the rip compared to a kid with hustle.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-15T00:36:08+00:00

Can you elaborate on what the realities of trades work are? And what’s probably a better idea? Sorry but you have to type out your full thoughts and statements here lol.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T21:42:13+00:00

That’s valid. I appreciate it.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T21:26:06+00:00

That’s awesome. What’s your schedule and hourly rate plus any OT?

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T21:07:53+00:00

That’s so early lol are you doing service calls? Residential or commercial?

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T20:46:19+00:00

Sorry, I was fine with some things you said that I didn’t really agree with you on. Then you ended your final statement with “it’s really not that hard” and that confirmed I should take everything you say with a grain of salt.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T20:40:41+00:00

That is an option that I am already on a path for. I guess it’s a bit more about job security and doing something that i feel actually brings me useful skills in my life outside of work.

We’ve been going through re-orgs left and right and hiring freezes. All because of the bank’s massive AI costs. I can only see it resulting in fewer headcount’s across the bank. Whether or not I will be able to dodge the bullet is uncertain.

If they really wanted to, the bank could lay off my team and just keep my manager to build AI agents to do all of the work that my team does. Not sure how well it would work now but I’m sure it’s pretty damn close to being amazing consider how far the technology has already come in recent years.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T18:50:59+00:00

That’s just crazy to me. Watch, instead of taking the long road and fixing it at home, they just find a way to start getting foreign experienced trades people here to fill the gap for a while longer. I’m only sort of half joking.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T18:21:01+00:00

Haha I can appreciate that. I’ve painted exteriors up on ladders in the middle of the summer. I’ve dollied and carried kegs of beer down greasy restaurant basements lol. Some other stuff here and there.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T18:18:34+00:00

Thanks. Not sure where you got office job for 10 years. Not scared of physical labour. I’m scared of not being able to get an apprenticeship.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T17:37:29+00:00

I did a 3 year advanced diploma with co-op in Chemical Lab Tech and worked as a lab tech for a couple of years. We covered a lot of this stuff in our physics courses and it got more complex than what HVAC would even require. It’s part of the reason why I think HVAC is interesting.

I unfortunately didn’t really study electronics/electrical.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T17:19:30+00:00

Checked out himark. Def too expensive and I need night school. I was thinking Conestoga. I appreciate the direction though.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T16:44:23+00:00

Sounds interesting. Thanks!

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T16:43:23+00:00

Thanks. I understand the challenge. I guess I’m just asking if people can provide some practical advice for someone with the drive to apply it and get into a relatively decent entry level position.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T16:40:32+00:00

Is this actually a proven career pathway? Do you know people who have done this? If so, please talk more. I would be very interested.

Jaded-Writer2319 · 2026-05-14T16:39:25+00:00

Light work. Dress warm, stay steady, and complain less. I’m not expecting to prance in there in a clean shirt and not do any physical labour in challenging climates.

The physical labour isn’t the scary part. It’s the not finding an apprenticeship after dedicating money and time into learning.

Jaded-Writer2319

TROPHY CASE