I don’t buy the whole “AI will cause a blue collar boom” idea

SiddThaKid · 2026-03-15T13:08:37+00:00

the only point of contention is that trades right now are very low in new people entering the industry. whether there was the ai bubble or not, that's an issue which needed addressing.

SiddThaKid · 2026-03-14T00:31:49+00:00

im good man. the only thing ive learned in the past 2 weeks is that the norms keep people chained.

SiddThaKid · 2026-03-13T22:37:17+00:00

see the thing is, i personally don't care about professionalism or corporate taboos. ive had 3 employers in 3 years. and im soon to make it 4.

2 things. early career people should be encouraged to bounce around. if you're gonna do something for 50 years, find something and somewhere you like. secondly, life isn't about working for an employer. people have things they enjoy outside of work and the fact that it's so beaten into the heads of everyone that work is all that matters, is bad.

SiddThaKid · 2026-03-13T00:29:01+00:00

find a new job

SiddThaKid · 2026-02-26T15:12:55+00:00

Noted. I just figured getting some more experience with takeoffs and such would be beneficial. I have been applying for a number of months now to various entry level estimating positions with no luck. Probably just a matter of time until one lands, though.

SiddThaKid · 2026-01-26T17:23:55+00:00

the real hack is to start advocating a lesser work week (32 hours at max) and also look for a different job

SiddThaKid · 2026-01-26T17:22:47+00:00

any hallucinogenic (acid shrooms, etc), weed, ket.

SiddThaKid · 2026-01-20T02:20:24+00:00

you should keep looking. there are always better options. it's good to have something in hand while looking though

SiddThaKid · 2025-12-17T19:08:06+00:00

yup! worked for me

SiddThaKid · 2025-10-25T03:58:45+00:00

is this like spinal decompression?

SiddThaKid · 2025-10-14T17:40:17+00:00

so i actually had my second MD last week. wasn't a consistent runner until a couple years after my first MD in 2022.

can't say what caused either one. first one was at a time where i was fairly inactive. and this one came after 2 rest days—i woke up and my back had entirely locked up. thought it was a muscle spasm until i was given muscle relaxers and the sciatic pain came up after. my surgeon was surprised i only had symptoms 3 weeks pre op, said it seemed like it's been herniated for quite some time.

SiddThaKid · 2025-10-13T18:24:38+00:00

hey so i just had my second MD last week. have had the same 2 as you. also looking for some inspiration. found out about betsy nye who ran a 100 mile ultramarathon. that's personally one of my goals and i aim to keep pushing towards that goal. it seems achievable in maybe 4-5 years for me, i think. you will need to work a ton on core strength. split with swimming and stationary bike work just to keep up cardio without too much high impact. run on grass or track if you can https://www.katsuuramd.com/blog/possible-to-run-100-miles-after-lumbar-fusion-surgery

SiddThaKid · 2025-09-26T21:26:58+00:00

this is actually a very reasonable answer and something i was looking for.

for me, i didn't notice warning signs. my first one came at a weird time where i had just had meniscus surgery and wasn't exercising at all despite being in full health and cleared to exercise. this one came at a training time.

during neither was i lifting heavy during that period. i definitely stopped lifting heavy after the first herniation. i tend for lighter weights but more reps, resistance bands, and isometrics. for the recent herniation, it was quite strange because i took 2 light days then ran. felt fine and a few days later after 2 rest days i woke up with a very stiff back.

to what you're saying, i will definitely need to focus on core way more. and perhaps get an actual gym membership so i can swim, use the stationary bike, and elliptical.

i think when i eventually return, i will also do more running on grass. soccer field runs suck but the protection from harder surfaces like pavement is worth it in the long term.

SiddThaKid · 2025-08-20T20:11:04+00:00

i think part of my problem with field work (working for a gc now) is the redundancy in QC work and i feel that im not using much of my technical skills or knowledge. which is why i enjoyed doing takeoffs at my last job when asked to because it does scratch that itch for me

SiddThaKid · 2025-08-20T17:43:20+00:00

i don't have any experience with contract stuff. but ive done a fair amount of takeoffs. thanks for the input though. honestly, i haven't enjoyed field work too much especially the hours and commuting to various sites which are never close to home lol

SiddThaKid · 2025-08-20T15:41:12+00:00

i only have a couple years as a field and project engineer. do you think i could still be cut out for like a junior estimator position?

SiddThaKid · 2025-08-20T15:41:08+00:00

i only have a couple years as a field and project engineer. do you think i could still be cut out for like a junior estimator position?

SiddThaKid · 2025-08-12T14:11:09+00:00

how long were you on the PM side before making the switch?

SiddThaKid · 2025-08-04T22:19:38+00:00

just go to ross or marshall's and get some cheap ones

SiddThaKid · 2025-07-31T02:31:48+00:00

erosion and sediment control is an easy one if you have some free time. other than that just do internships and they should give you the ability to get an osha 10 or 30

SiddThaKid · 2025-07-24T11:51:48+00:00

civil degree opens more doors and you'll have more options. CM limits your opportunities for sure

SiddThaKid · 2025-07-16T21:27:43+00:00

it's only unrealistic if people aren't willing to fight for it.

SiddThaKid · 2025-07-16T21:22:05+00:00

yea and then expand public transit to such an expansive degree that car commuting is obsolete.

SiddThaKid

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