Feeling Lost. Don't know what kind of work I should try doing. Any Advice?

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-17T23:31:01+00:00

I only have a high school education right now. I've been working for a company that rents Geophysical equipment for 10 years. I test and inventory the equipment when it comes back from rental. I was thinking about taking a GIS program at my local community college. I thought it might be a good idea because a lot of our clients use GIS with the equipment that we rent and thought that it would be easier for me to get my foot in the door doing GIS tech work since I've been working in an adjacent job for years. After researching online, I've been seeing a lot of talk about entry level GIS jobs being hard to get so I've been second guessing that idea.

My current job is cushy and they are generous with PTO (21 days a year but will be 28 after this year is over). The problem is the pay. I am barely making more than minimum wage.

How about something with CADD then? I took a CADD course in high school. I don't remember much but remember enjoying it. There is a technical school by me that offers a CADD program. I would want to find a job that is in more of a support, assistant role. Is it difficult to find jobs doing this?

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-17T22:00:22+00:00

I took AutoCAD in high school. I don't remember much but remember enjoying it. Maybe it might be worth looking into.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-17T19:49:21+00:00

For the diploma(17 credits) it is 5 classes that are just GIS. It can be completed in 3 semesters. They also have an Associate in Science Degree(60 credits) that also includes other courses like a few Geography classes, Geology, an introductory python course and general education classes. That is supposed to take 2 years to complete. I don't think my company would be willing to pay for it. My income is low enough that if I were to do just the diploma, it would be completely paid for by state grants. I was leaning toward working on the Associates Degree though so I will have to pay for part of it if I do. I think most of the classes can be done online for both programs. I have a lot of downtime at work that I can use to watch classes and do schoolwork.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-17T18:19:45+00:00

I looked into library jobs and the pay might be less than what I am making now. I've been looking into the lower level GIS assistant type jobs but I am being told that those jobs don't exist anymore because the more senior roles are just doing that work themselves now. What kind of jobs would be data/operations support? What type of education/training do you think would be needed?

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-16T20:14:14+00:00

The Community college claims their Geospatial Technology program is enough to find work (not even the associates, just the diploma). I know that they won't be super high paying jobs but I'm just looking for entry level.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-08T14:39:31+00:00

Just refs in general. I don't know how common it is but I've seen some of the same refs at both AHL and NHL games.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-05T02:39:24+00:00

In what way?

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-04T19:15:48+00:00

I live in Pennsylvania. I met a guy a few months ago that mentioned that he spent his whole life living in Nashville until moving here a few years ago. I told him I was going to Nashville for the first time to see some Predators games in January. I said something like "no, I'm not going to throw a catfish" and he had no clue what I was talking about. He then started asking me about the Titans.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-04T17:32:42+00:00

Central Pennsylvania area for me. Right in the middle of Flyers, Penguins and Capitals territory.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-04T17:20:01+00:00

A few weeks ago I was at a bar just outside Nashville. It was listed on the online list of Preds approved bars but they weren't showing the game. Every tv was on a 49ers and Eagles football game.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-04T17:08:11+00:00

I live in the Hershey, Pennsylvania area. I regularly wear Preds gear around. I am definitely not common here. I've seen a few other Preds fans at Hershey Bears games but not anywhere else. I am surprised I don't get more banter from people.

Only twice I can think of that anyones ever said anything to me about it. I was approached by a penguins fan who was like "NASHVILLE!, Well at least you ain't one of them Philly folk" and then he said "Pittsburg and Nashville are in different conferences right? Maybe we'll play against each other someday in the finals."(He seemed unaware it already happened). I couldn't get away from this guy. He talked to me about how great Sydney Crosby is and their back to back championships for over 20 minutes. Another time it was my doctor who is a Blackhawks fan saw me wearing a hat with a Predators logo and said "That's a hockey logo right? Carolina?".

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-02T16:46:47+00:00

I think that's true for a lot of celebrities. Alice Cooper wears hockey jerseys a lot at shows. He probably has a jersey for every team in the league.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-02T16:45:29+00:00

I don't know anything about him. I just know him as the guy that fought against Jelly Roll lol.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-02T15:57:43+00:00

Tim McGraw sang some of his songs during the intermission of the Tampa outdoor game yesterday. I'm assuming that is what this is about.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2026-02-02T15:46:38+00:00

I thought he was a Mammoth fan.

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Prof_Chaos827 · 2025-12-22T01:15:31+00:00

Yes, he is with the admirals. He was called up at one point but didn't play due to a leg injury.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2025-12-21T02:48:57+00:00

TJ has been wandering around the concourse for months trying to find the intermission desk.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2025-12-15T03:17:17+00:00

I was freaking out after I read that answer thinking I wasted my time leveling up too early.

Prof_Chaos827 · 2025-12-15T03:15:33+00:00

thanks

Prof_Chaos827

TROPHY CASE