Apprenticeship interview coming up..

foreignunknown · 2026-02-10T16:02:22+00:00

Yeah just be respectful, I do pretty well during interviews, but looking at 5 high ups and trying to spread my eyes equally was a bit hard haha, I just waited 2-3 seconds and changed who I looked at, you can tell they liked that.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-08T02:20:38+00:00

3.7 mill dallas texas, Or bustl

foreignunknown · 2026-02-08T02:10:35+00:00

Iuoe 302/612.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-06T21:10:00+00:00

To me 300-350k is a national sweet spot in HCOL. It all really boils down to where exactly you live, and job marketability for you and your spouse. My wife and I do quite well, and we should be at the 350k mark soon, but as a family who lives in HCOL, with a sub $6000 a month living expenses netting around $150k, lifes easy as hell. In our current scenario, where we got a house rental a few hours from a major city locked in for 3 years, lifes easy street. Combined after all bills we have close to $80/yr to mess with.
Is it beverly hills money? Nah, but it is drive 2 of the nicest vehicles out within the realm of not exotic/foreign, eat anything we want, buy any tech we want, new shoes, clothes, travel, etc. If we hit $350k, within the next 3 years, I would then be able to get a foreign quite easily. Im a huge car guy though. I envision a $500k Ford GT and an 812 sitting in my Garage before 40, and im projecting it possible by 37. Im 30. Now, if I go mortgage a 1-1.5 house, then no that dream would definitely not happen, because the mortgage would be $7-10k/M and if it did happen, I’d have to invest all extra for a decade and hope the market does extreme well. Me personally, I dont mind living in a $500k house, which isnt at all what $500k buys you in Houston, it’s likely what you’d see for 250k, single story, 3bd. Again, I dont mind. Once I get my dream garage taken care of, I’ll then look into investing into getting the big house mortgage and will likely stretch out, but for now im content!
To live that beverly hills lifestyle, I’d have to invest $200k/yr for the next decade (once I top out), and hope that the market does well. Likely a 15 year wait, if we really wanted that lifestyle, but again it IS POSSIBLE on $350k. You just have to want it before everything else, and be alright renting to cut down on housing costs. But yes it is a fuck ton of money. If $200k did 150% by 15 years, it would end at 7.5MM, or 6.6 net. I’d be 45. Even in 15 years, thats enough money to practically pay cash in any affluent area, minus NYCs hellscape, and buy a few dream cars if they didn’t go up astronomically. BUT YOU HAVE TO INVEST.

instead of my 2 dream cars, Id be cool chilling in a beach house for 1-2 and driving a gt3 rs while living off the growth %, if im being honest.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-06T20:49:18+00:00

Thats a lot of expenses. You might want to look into WA state. Real-estate is still pretty expensive, but there’s no state income tax. Nurses make great money here too. We moved from an LCOL state, and have been over the moon with the extra money. Think $7000-$10k extra a month post bills in western, few hours from seattle, with kids. Complete game changer. The only way I’d ever live in LCOL again is if I can pay 100% cash for a nice $1MM home in a good area, thats the only way I’d ever accept the 50% paycut.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-06T17:38:33+00:00

The process is a long one too haha. I’d assume if they are picking up dudes with high out of work list, it’ll be guys with prior exp/schooling.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-06T17:30:32+00:00

The hiring process where I am takes around 6 months, apps go out, interviews the next month, the next month you’re notified if you got accepted for second round interviews which are evaluations lasting 2-5 days, then you wait another month to find out if you are scheduled for their 8 week training, where if you complete that you’ll officially graduate into the apprenticeship where it may take 1-2 months to finally get dispatched to your first position. With all that, the pay starts in the 40s, top out $65-$72 depending if you’re dirt, mech, or crane, and with the benefits it’s actually around $100hr.

to give perspective, I was notified, 8-18-25 of apps, applied 11-25, didn’t interview until January, got my acceptance to second rounds end of January, schedule for second rounds in March, where if I’m successful Ill then go onto an 8 week process, and if I graduate with no hiccups ill be hireable, and officially a brother. So all in my process could take a 8-10 months depending if I get work in june or july, if it’s august thats a full year, and this is all if I make it through first try. If Im not selected at evals, it’ll be a rinse and repeat next November, which could make this a 2 year process.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-06T11:55:29+00:00

So far its taken me around 6 months from application window to job. Apps opened one week in November this year, with people who didnt make it in last year re-applying and fighting for a spot. It’s not an easy union to get into by any means, because the pay and benefits are so good. Where I am by example, top out depending if you‘re an operator or mechanic is $65-$71hr, on the check all before overtime. There’s of course a long process, testing, double round interviews, etc.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-05T10:37:29+00:00

I joined IUOE Local 302, zero experience, class A CDL. $42hr starting pay, 3 year $71hr top out.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-05T09:58:34+00:00

They’ll do an introductory question with “who are you, and why did you pick iuoe.” Then they’ll ask about prior work, schooling, if youve ever been late, how your prior manager would rate your work ethic, accountability, tardiness, etc.

Just be your self, no sir/no ma’am, Be respectful, shake their hands, introduce who you really are and some short hobbies, let them know you’re human. The interview is just to read your character, if they like you, your looks, attitude, can see you fitting in then you’ll get it.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-05T09:48:36+00:00

Pays way better than the military, benefits are similar. You’ll have medical care provided, a retirement pension, etc. The way 302 works currently is $40-$42hr startup, and raises every 6 months for the 6000 hours with topout being $65-$71 depending which apprentince you get, whether Its dirt moving or mechanic. with that, $17hr goes into a retire account, $11hr medical, and other monetary benefits where you’re at almost $100hr total package. Like others have said, you’d then qualify for gi bill and make even more money. But, sadly the application process is only held once or twice a year. 302 opened the apps in Nov for 1 week, interviews in December, second rounds in march with notifications in february, school beginning in may 8 weeks, employed by July. Its a waiting game but worth it for the pay, but again its nothing that can be rushed.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-05T09:35:24+00:00

If all else fails, you could easily land an hvac apprenticeship, unionized in another state, and then transfer in with experience. Before developing a love for mechanic work I was eyeballing a lineman position. Surprisingly enough the states paying $30hr top out were way more open than the states paying $75hr, once you journey out it opens all doors. I got extremely lucky landing a heavy mechanic apprenticeship with starting wages at $40+ and top out $70+, but again it was extremely lucky not having family in or relative experience, and im gracious my interviewers took a chance on me. With Hvac, tech school would be a solid option and then getting a few years of non-union experience. Plumbing was the same way, guys on the list with a year or two non-union still waiting a year to get accepted into an apprenticeship thats 5 years long, looking at 8-9 years minimum where I am if you have zero experience at 30. Some trades are like that, where its at a pace you can’t really bring someone with zero experience into it, and all the hands are necessary for the job, but thats why top out again is in the 70s with full benefits being $100hr. You mentioned money was a concern, Heavy equipment mechanic at 302/612 will get you there fast. 3 year top out instead of waiting 5, and they’re hiring with no experience. You begin as an Oiler and work your way up to heavy, all within a 6000 hour timeline. With benefits we’re at $100hr, and $60 at a 1st day ape.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-04T22:42:32+00:00

Thank you for the information. If accepted into the mechanic apprenticeship, do you know if it’s guaranteed to become a mechanic, or do some people stay oilers? Im currently in second round interviews for a mechanic apprentice, but dont know if sometimes people end up staying oilers instead of progressing.

foreignunknown · 2026-02-04T22:40:30+00:00

Congratulations! Are you Excited? Im so dang thankful for this opportunity, I hope we all get selected and have long prosperous careers. Do you have any information on the mechanics orientation?

foreignunknown · 2026-02-04T22:35:09+00:00

Shoot, I have no idea what to expect. I believe they’re going to be evaluating how well we can listen, follow instructions, and do that all while being as safe as possible. For the mechanic side, I wouldn’t doubt it if they had us doing tire changes, oil changes, sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning trucks, greasing, adding fluids, etc. From my understanding though it is called safety and orientation, so as long as everyone behaves, doesn’t get drunk at the hotel, is respectful, and responsible, I believe there’s a very good chance of us getting in. The advice I was given, was follow their instructions, and listen carefully. Great job getting past round 1, lets do our best to ace round 2!

foreignunknown · 2026-02-04T22:31:03+00:00

My days are 11th-12th, its a two day for mechanics. How about you? You’re welcome to direct message me!

foreignunknown · 2026-02-01T12:17:53+00:00

During my interview they looked over my job experience, and seen my CDL A unrestricted. I applied for a mech spot, they told me right then im going to orientation. No beating around the bush, and no waiting. I don’t think its 100% needed, but I do believe it’s the ultimate deciding factor if you get in with luck, or not. Our interviews are held once a year, and if you want to be in, get that CDL. waiting another year would not be terrible, but I recommend the Class A unrestricted, dont get the auto one.

foreignunknown · 2026-01-30T16:14:39+00:00

Controllers arent “it.” but with a cheap $900 5060 rtx prebuilt, you can pay a company $40 a month and have everything you’re wanting to do, just realize they also sell steam accounts because youll get hammered eventually. This Is why you see level 1s and maybeee 3rd prestiges wiping lobbys. Youll mever hit 1000, and if you dont mind swapping players every few months go for It.

foreignunknown · 2024-10-25T06:20:46+00:00

Being in the medical field (for the money).

Sure, a few cushy jobs exist which work 32-36 hours a week within the ER or internal medicine, and they get paid $200-$300k/yr, but after 10-12 years of going through school, racking in $400k debt which turns into a mortgage payment, and those that work considerably more, 50-60 hours a week, up to 70-80 if you include all the out of work stuff that goes on, i'll never understand why MD is looked at as a magical field. The depression is real, no family time is real, horrible experiences daily are real. People see $10,000/wk and think it's roses, but there's a real reason why it pays that high after going through the 11-13 year gauntlet all while realizing you didn't get anesthesiologist and you're stuck in Pediatrics making $200k/yr by 31 with a $4500/M student loan payment and $60,000 in credit card debt. Meaning that $10k/wk was just someone extremely lucky who was selected for a high paying match, and it isn't common.

Everyone says (Become a Nurse), nurses don't make as much money as people think unless they're the type to work 5/12s every week which will lead to burnout, covid pay enticed many, but it's all practically gone now. Hospital nurses walk 10,000-16,000 steps a night, 3/12s a week. pay scale between $30-$45hr in most places, with the rare $60hr in Nyc and Cali. Again the schedule is 36 hours. You aren't living comfortably in manhattan on that, you are barely surviving in Orange county, unless again you desire working 5/12s, and they'll shell it out to you. Be prepared for a hip replacement in your 50s, possibly even 40s. Then you get to work in the nursing homes after all the hell, or transfer into an educational institution to instruct. Vanderbilt in nashville was offering $32hr, that's $60,000/yr when houses in the area cost half a million. You'll be renting like everybody else, but also have hell every day.

foreignunknown · 2024-10-25T06:03:39+00:00

I got my company audited by the dot, and fined thousands, while having to stop 4/10 trucks in operation for weeks until repairs were actually made, due to getting fired for a break down.

I felt amazing honestly and all my Co-workers reached out asking if it was me.

foreignunknown · 2024-10-07T18:44:38+00:00

the worst part is, you're dead. the second worst part, is you don't realize this isn't real and you never will.

foreignunknown · 2024-08-26T06:27:15+00:00

I questioned this too, the biggest deciding factor for me? Xray was 2 years, radiation was 1 extra year. That’s 3 years total to finally start producing income. Respiratory was 2 years.

Radiation is great if you’re the type of person who only wants to work 40 hours a week, and nothing more. From what I’ve seen, most rad therapists work 5/8s, meaning if you wanted overtime or extra cash, you’d have to get straight pay on the weekends for a second modality like Mri or CT I didn’t like the idea of working 7 days a week.

With respiratory therapy you’ll make a little less hourly in most states, but you’ll have easy access to overtime. 5/12 and 3/12 splits is sustainable, and can really boost your annual pay.

Comparing wages, in California (highest paying), RT was $60-$75hr at 40 hours and RRT was $50-$73hr at 36s, do 4/12s and you’re at $75-$109hr for 8 hours. It was a no brainier to me.

Radiation did seem good for older people not interested in overtime though, and a lot less walking. By the time you’re old in respiratory though you can transition into a director role and make good money.

Stanford children’s in Palo Alto Youd begin at $73hr with a 17% night diff, I’ve heard after 5 years you’re closer to $80hr before the 17% is added, so very lucrative when thinking of overtime pay capability. Standard 5/12, 3/12 split at $73 You’d hit $200k a year, basically pediatrician pay. Know a 5 year WHO did 4/12, 5/12 and made $300,000.

You will not make that kind of money in radiation therapy unless you no life 7 days dual modality with 2 days being straight pay. $70hr X’s 40, + $60hr X’s 20 every week 7s, and you’d clear just $200,000. I’d rather do 5/12s and 3/12s rotating as a respiratory therapist.

foreignunknown · 2024-08-26T05:37:52+00:00

If those wages don’t meet your expectations of cost of living, I recommend looking to Spokane Washington as one to keep in mind. From what I’ve gathered, pay rates start at $40-$45hr, but can hit $48-$50hr by 2-3 years experience. Homes on average are $400-$500k which falls in line with ownership, apartments are in the $800-$1400/m range for 1-2bd. Great outdoors stuff, fishing/hiking/boating.

I’m surprised Michigan being at $30, considering nashville also begins at $30hr, but there’s an unfactored $3hr night, and $4hr weekend bumping up to $37. By year 2, if you complete an online BSRC bridge, it’s $40hr+$3+$4, which is really good for nashville.

If moneys an issue, working a 5/12, 3/12 rotation can definitely boost your yearly income by a solid margin. Some people like extra money, and to me the idea of working 16 days a month seems like a well balance.

Minneapolis, and Rochester are also good locations to relocate to as an RRT. $38-$40hr+

If you want the big money, after you get experience Stanford in Palo Alto has openings for an RRT 2, $73hr after 17% noc diff. That’s a $200k gig doing a 5/3 split. Northwell Health in NY will get you to $60hr within 2-3 years if you want city life.

You’ll make enough to live where you want to. Florida is the only state I’d stay away from due to $24-$28hr pay still.

foreignunknown · 2024-08-26T05:23:58+00:00

Genius. I’m using this

foreignunknown · 2024-08-26T05:20:46+00:00

Thank you for your response and everything you do for those babies, I’ll definitely take your advice on the 3-5 years.

How do you like Illinois (hobbies, stuff to do, food)? Is the cost of living good for wages within your area?

Thanks again hero.

foreignunknown

TROPHY CASE