What do you do for a living or is mrrding your living?

[Driline]

sfrailfan, you mean to tell me that you have friends from Iowa living there in New York City; these people are definitely in need of the services of an EFT Practitioner - put them in touch with Chip SpaceMouse immediately!!!

LOL...You're killing me

[Driline]

Please Tell me jobs for this field are lucrative and that he will NOT be spending the next 10 years of his life living in my basement working at Wal-Mart passing out smiley faces.

IOWA!!! I have friends here in NYC from Iowa. Well, the ultimate answer is good, this is an industry where once you get outta college you have to kinda make your own way. But there are some must dos to be successful:

Don't try to start your own design firm off the bat...
1. Pay your dues... it's partly a learning experience; as necessary as college is the first job or two become kinda like grad school. Tell your son to STOW THE IGO AND NOT TO BE AFRAID TO LEARN. This industry is now flooded with premaddonas... everyone thinks thery are the best.
1a Learn to take critisim by a. observing where it comes from, if this person doesn't know what they are talking about: disregard them b. If they do know their stuff: take the advice c. In either case if the person is outwardly rude: feel sorry for them

2. Although production is very boring, it MUST be mastered. Be aware that unless your son intends on doing production forever (there's nothing wrong with that) be sure he does not get pigon-holed into this.

3. The bigger cash is usually near the cities but this is not a rule.

4. As in all industries be aware of those that want to take advantage, again this can be a learning experience.

5. Finally YES, as long as he is at least half way talented and interviews well he can expect $35,000-55,000 to start depending on whats available in your area. Start finding that out now.

DanZ
VISION

Thanks for the info. In that case I'll go ahead and rent his room out. (More money for the trainlayout).

He was an honor student in engineering and dropped out because he was bored.

So, you can see my frustration after he changed his major to "Graphic Design". His artistic skills are excellent and he has won local college awards for his endeavors, so I guess I'll give him a small break.

[BRVRR]

I'm a retired Coast Guard Naval Engineer(30-years) and work part time as the curator of a police museum. I'm about to retire again and collect my SS before it is all gone!

[rrebell]

I'm retired, still part time landlord. Used to be a renovation expert but that was many moons ago. Was hoping to be retired again along time ago, never realized that having kids took so much time and money!!!!!!

[on30francisco]

I'm currently retired because of a medical condition so I can devote any amount of time I want to model railroading.

[GAPPLEG]

Currently working for GE , where we build the real thing. (GE locomotives) 3 more months and I'll go to MRR for my fun. Retirement finally after 38 years here.

[lvanhen]

Have worked as a commercial photographer - had my own studio.  Auto mechanic - had a small performance shop.  Carpenter/cabinetmaker/historical restorer - had my own Co for 30 years & retired 10 years ago @ 55.  Bored out of my skull after 3-4 months - worked part time at a LHS (earned $10 - spent $15!).  Went back to work full time 8 1/2 years ago at Home Depot - turned 65 last month - will collect SS next year & move to south Jersey closer to grandkids - will probably still work part-time - hate to do nothing!  New house will be a basement with a couple of rooms above!!

[modelmaker51]

I started life as an army brat in Germany. After putting myself through school as a carpenter for a degree in electronic engineering, I was an audio/video tech-rep and designer, worked for Fisher-Sanyo and JVC in Europe for almost 20 yrs until I decided to get out of the rat race. I've been working in the MR business since 1989. I started out custom painting, then worked for a custom layout builder and now still do all kinds of custom MR work. I haven't had to "work" for a living for almost 20 years. Being independant has allowed me to help take of my dad (Alzheimers) until he passed in '96. Now I'm taking care of my mother who is now 84.

[secondhandmodeler]

I own a non-profit organization that sells mens clothing.  Well, were not technically a non-profit, but we don't make any money yet!  All kidding aside, I own a mens clothing store called Gerrits For Men.  Starting up your own business sure takes a toll on the cash flow.  That's why my wife gives me a hard time for spending even twenty dollars on trains.  Model railroading is my little piece of sanity.

[larak]

Associate Professor - pay stinks hours are good, Electrical Engineer (freelance), Semi pro historical researcher and writer.

[Dave Vollmer]

I'm a Major in the United States Air Force.  I'm a weather officer.

Right now I'm assigned to NC State University.  I'm in my third (and final) year of my PhD in atmospheric science (specifically dynamic meteorology).

Next year I'll be reassigned to Headquarters Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB, NE.

Here's me at work (before I pinned on Major) over Baghdad in 2003:

[rgappel]

I'm a chemical engineering student. Once I graduate, I will have more time and money for MRR, or so I think.

[NeO6874]

Computer science student... I have less than no money, college is great.

 

Maybe I'll actually be able to MAKE money in a year after I get out...  

[larak]

I'm a chemical engineering student. Once I graduate, I will have more time and money for MRR, or so I think.

In my experience one either has time or money but never both simultaneously. You will do OK with engineering. It's a great field.

Karl 

[Ted Marshall]

What the heck just happened? What happened to Jeff's tirade toward Dave Vollmer? I went to post a reply, but got an error?

[Pathfinder]

Interesting, almost 25% are retired.  I guess that is just a function of an ageing population.

[AggroJones]

I....Aggro.

[Ted Marshall]

Why are you suddenly displaying only 17 posts? What happened to you? You always seemed like a really nice guy.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

That's not me. That's a troll intent on causing trouble. Check the anemic post count.

[Ted Marshall]

I'm so glad we've got that straight. Now that he's exposed, maybe he'll go away.

 

I knew that couldn't be the real jeff wimberly. I hope they don't kill this thread though.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Forget it troll, you're exposed and your secret is out. When I find out who you are, my lawyer will be in contact.

[Pathfinder]

Forget it troll, you're exposed and your secret is out. When I find out who you are, my lawyer will be in contact.

Good, because he posted this as well:

I pledge to SMACK Pathfinder right upside his head too!!

here: http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1231595/ShowPost.aspx (on page 2).

I knew it could not be you but this will casue lots of issues for you, to bad. 

[ouengr]

I am a Land Development Engineer in central Oklahoma.

[loathar]

Hey look! Als BACK!!! I've got to admit. This ones pretty original Al.

[Dave Vollmer]

What the heck just happened? What happened to Jeff's tirade toward Dave Vollmer? I went to post a reply, but got an error?

Looks like I went to bed too soon last night...  I missed the fireworks!

I don't see Jeff leveling a tirade against anyone, so I would have been suspicious.  Jeff and I have both suffered through being stationed at Fort "Puke" (Polk), there near Leesville, LA.

[PA&ERR]

Retired USN weather forecaster/analyst/flight briefer. Have done several things since retiring - repaired copiers, drove 18wheelers (belly dumps off road no CDL required) and ran my own pilot car company for about 4 years.

I currently work as a dispatcher for transient aircraft at Hill AFB (Dave, if you are ever at Hill stop into the TA shack and say hi! Its right next to the WX office).

George

[riogrande5761]

Geologist - working as a consulting geologist mostly managing the closure of old Quaker State oil wells in Pennsylvania but I live in NY.

[IRONHORSE77]

Retired Firefighter. 7 years Municipal, 23  years Airfield Crash/Rescue.

CHUCK

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sfrailfan]

Please Tell me jobs for this field are lucrative and that he will NOT be spending the next 10 years of his life living in my basement working at Wal-Mart passing out smiley faces.

IOWA!!! I have friends here in NYC from Iowa. Well, the ultimate answer is good, this is an industry where once you get outta college you have to kinda make your own way. But there are some must dos to be successful:

Don't try to start your own design firm off the bat...
1. Pay your dues... it's partly a learning experience; as necessary as college is the first job or two become kinda like grad school. Tell your son to STOW THE IGO AND NOT TO BE AFRAID TO LEARN. This industry is now flooded with premaddonas... everyone thinks thery are the best.
1a Learn to take critisim by a. observing where it comes from, if this person doesn't know what they are talking about: disregard them b. If they do know their stuff: take the advice c. In either case if the person is outwardly rude: feel sorry for them

2. Although production is very boring, it MUST be mastered. Be aware that unless your son intends on doing production forever (there's nothing wrong with that) be sure he does not get pigon-holed into this.

3. The bigger cash is usually near the cities but this is not a rule.

4. As in all industries be aware of those that want to take advantage, again this can be a learning experience.

5. Finally YES, as long as he is at least half way talented and interviews well he can expect $35,000-55,000 to start depending on whats available in your area. Start finding that out now.

DanZ
VISION

Thanks for the info. In that case I'll go ahead and rent his room out. (More money for the trainlayout).

He was an honor student in engineering and dropped out because he was bored.

So, you can see my frustration after he changed his major to "Graphic Design". His artistic skills are excellent and he has won local college awards for his endeavors, so I guess I'll give him a small break.

>Awards in college is great; moving to something else because you are bored is masterful! —and a really good sign.

LOL you are funny RT, yes they came here went to school at Pratt in Brooklyn, and now have their own business, a big one.

[TheK4Kid]

I'm a local truck driver, presently disbaled due to a broken left foot, hopefully I'll be out of this "walking cast"  soon,that I'm in right now.The good news is I can now get into my basement to work on my hobbies, and my PRR HO freelanced layout is making some progress again.Thanks to all of the great people on these forums who have helped me with questions I have had.
If I get some time, I'll take some pictures, and post them, and I'll have some more questions soon.

I am also a  private pilot and enjoy flying.I own and fly a vintage 1946 Ercoupe, which is undergoing the final stages of restoration at this time.I also build and fly RC airplanes, mostly sailplanes( gliders)  and like the bigger ones, from 8 to 14 feet in wingspan.

I find everyone I have traded posts with on these forums to be a really enjoyable bunch of folks!