where do I start?

mattmia2

Another tip if you're having trouble understanding something the way a text book presents it, Wikipedea frequently has a much clearer explanation than most textbooks.

luketheplumber

I have made the difficult decision to go for my GED. This online Schooling isn't working for me. My School Director, Teachers and Parents have all recommended that getting my GED. would be the best path for me. I will still be attending my School for the rest of this year as they have a coarse for Students who are studying for the GED. I know that this will disappoint a number of you, I'm sorry.
The good news is that I have taken the GED. prep test and passed with only a few minor topics that I would like to improve myself on. Right now I am focusing the most on math as I know that is the most important subject that I will be using and I'm doing fantastic in that one class.
I hope that you all understand and aren't too upset at me for this. Feel free to tell me your honest thoughts.

BenDplumber

Luke, you have nothing to be ashamed of or worry about anyone being disappointed in you. You have to follow the path that suits YOU. I myself faced this situation at the age of 15 due to parents divorce and received my GED at 17. Off to the USMC at 18 then 25 years in the union pipe trades with great success and a great education/career!! You seem like a well grounded young man and if you keep your chin up, your ears open and absorb what is taught to you success will come your way. Keep up to date on new products and technology. Practice soldering after work in the garage, get all the certifications you can to make yourself hireable to contractors and most importantly stay humble, take pride in your work and realize you will never know everything. You have your whole life in front of you and I'm proud of you for taking initiative and wish you a lifetime of achievement!

Intplm.

Your enthusiasm is second only to that great attitude you have. Go ahead and get that GED. I can not imagine having to continually take classes online. This is an unprecedented worldwide issue that will be one for the history books.

Keep up that good attitude. Continue to adapt. You will do fine.

Zman

@luketheplumber, There is no shame in your decision. You are obviously a bright guy and I think you communicate very well.

If you continue to make decisions based on what is best for you and your goals, I think you will succeed.

The most import thing you can learn from decisions you make regardless of whether they turn out good or bad is "was it the best decision to make based on the information you had at the time?". Try hard to objectively look back and learn from your successes and failures. So many times people make a bad decision and get lucky with the outcome and then continue to make bad decisions. Likewise, sometimes you can do it all correctly and fail miserably. If most of the the decisions you make are good ones, and you objectively learn from the bad decisions, odds are you will do well in the end.

I would highly recommend reading "Thinking in Bets" by Annie Duke.
https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisions/dp/0735216355

luketheplumber

I am humbled by all of your support but If you think that I'm making a bad decision by doing this, I'm not afraid to hear your thoughts. I know on a few people who I am confident are going to disagree with me making this decision.
I know some of you will tell me again, "stay away from drugs and alcohol". I'm not going anywhere near it.
I will probably make a post soon looking for a job on here. I would like to move out up north and start learning and saving as soon as I can. Ideally I could set something up and make a stable plan ahead of time.
@BenDplumber
Thanks, I learn something every day when I work and I still have a long way to go. I've practiced soldering and have even soldered on a small number of jobs for my neighbors. I make good clean joints that haven't given me any problems yet. I enjoy soldering and feel proud looking at my work when I finish. I definitely will keep practicing on my soldering skills. I will make whether I could solder my joints a side factor when I look at possibly working at company.
@Youngplumber
I've thought about the military, an electrician that I did a a few jobs for recommended that I join the navy and learn how to repair the submarines. I have great respect for that guy and he taught me more about home electrical systems than any book I've read. I am not so sure about the military due to the fact that I have ADHD which cad be disqualifying but I will definitely look into it.
@Intplm.
Yeah, I'm a bit weird as I hate sitting down at my computer all day unlike most people my age. at school I could move around and talk to my friends a little bit but I'm struggling in the 100% online environment. And don't get me started on the pain it is for me to organize 5-6 assignments each day. It too much for me to handle, I need to work some in the real world rather than 100% online.
@Zman
When I'm hired by a company, I try to prove to them that I work hard and care about the quality of my work. I will happily go clear a blocked toilet, work in a crawlspace or dig a hole. I have made a bunch of mistake and I always try to remember them and so far I've done well. I thought long and hard about whether I could finish high school and all my teachers thought that I should go for the GED and so far everything is going well, knock on wood.

PerryHolzman

Luke: No shame at getting a GED. Self study and self improvement are what's really important.

I don't recall who said it - but there is a quote out there about successful people (in any business or trade) which goes something like this:

"Formal education will get you a job; proper self education will make you wealthy."

Here's a book I recommend to you (and to anyone looking to become more successful in life).

The Compound Effect, by: Darren Hardy

Its a general book about what it takes to become very successful - at anything.

Note that most of the chapters in this book are actually a summation of an entire book on that subject. When I first read it I could pull most of those books off of my book shelf.

Work on improving your mind and knowledge, as well as your technical skills. You get paid a lot more for what you know and how you treat people - than you will ever be paid by your physical skills.

I wish you well with this, and please have a very successful future.

Perry

EBEBRATT-Ed

@luketheplumber

get some electrical background. 80% of the hvac service calls are electrical related.

In fact, If I could do it all over again after 46 years I might have gone into the controls side of things. A Lot of money to be made their and it beats lugging boiler sections around.

Pocket screwdriver versus 4' pipe wrench?

All modern HVAC equipment is touch pad, processors and computers and it's only going to get better (or worse depending on your opinion)

You can make a good living doing boilers, running pipe etc but the people in demand that can do HVAC service and controls troubleshoot are in high demand and always will be and are the highest paid.

I did some of both

Toward the end of my time I just wanted to install and run pipe. Put me on a job and leave me alone......less agrivation and less stress. When I was younger I wanted to do everything.

There's a million directions you can go in and their is no one right choice.

There's a few things to consider.

When you can't learn any more at the job you are in....move on

Work for honest competent people who treat their customers and employees fairly

luketheplumber

I'd like to update you all that in April, I graduated the GED and got a job at one of the last companies that does Boilers in my area.
I like the company I work at but I don't see myself staying here. I hope to work for one of you boiler Gurus up north sometime soon in the future.
I picked HVAC and Boilers due to the fact that I get to do a little of everything. If any of you want me to come work for you, Please let me know!

Steamhead

Have you turned 18 yet?

luketheplumber

@Steamhead Yes, back in February.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

I like the company I work at but I don't see myself staying here.

Nothing wrong with wanting to leave the town most familiar to you. Moving to a large city where you don't know anyone can be very lonely at first. Just be careful what you wish for.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Good for you on adding to your education.

I was told a long time ago you work for someone and when you can't learn any more from them....then it's time to move on.

But don't be too impatient, any new employer doesn't look for someone who hops from job to job, so if you like the company and can learn from them stick around at least a few years

dopey27177

Hello Luke

My path in life started with a high school diploma. I went to a technical high school where I was taught chemistry, physics and math. Started college and dropped out because my Dad passed away. With no path to go I want into the Navy wound up in the Seabees and became a plumber.

Stayed in the reserves and retired after 26 years of serviced. What I did was go to a night school called Mechanics institute. Learned mechanical drawing, learned how to read complex drawings, how to estimate
jobs, went to work for the New York city Housing Authority, became a Licensed Master Plumber in New York City and retired as the Plumbing Section Supervisor. While working in the Housing Authority I learned about steam and water heating systems in low and high rise buildings. I met Dan Holohan in the early 1980s and went to his seminars as well as Manufacturer seminars on y own time. Dan taught me how to write and helped me publish two articles where I got paid $500.00 each in Heating and Piping magazine, in addition I was awarded The Award of Excellence in 1989 from them American Institute of Plant Engineers in their Fame Award Competition. I competed with Engineers from all of the U.SA. what is notable is I am a non engineer.

In 2014 My book Steam The Perfect Fluid for Heating and Some of The Problems was Published. This book is basically a book for the young and old tech. to see many of the steam heating systems in use today and how to trouble shoot them.

I still do not have a college degree, Had to make a living go to seminars, moonlight and due my reserve duty where I retired as a Chief Petty Officer.

All of my accomplishments were the result of attending night schools, seminars and a lot of help from Dan Holohan.

Remember this one thing your knowledge can never be taken away from You.

If you are interested I have 2 books on heating that can help you in your endeavors, Dan's book The steam Book his first publication and the Best of One Pipe Steam written by FRANK GERETY an Engineer (genius) that was involved in restoring steam systems in New York City. If you are interested I will send you these two books for free.

Keep up the good work we need enthusiastic young people in this trade.

Just email me your address and I will send them to you.

My email address is Dopey27177@aol.com

Also you may want to purchase my book it is pretty good.

Jake

dopey27177

luketheplumber

Brought this back to the top so you miss my comment.

Jake

Zman

dopey27177 said:

luketheplumber

Brought this back to the top so you miss my comment.

Jake

@dopey27177 , If you type @luketheplumber they will get a message via email.

This may be my all time favorite post!

hcpatel78

You are here... That's is your best start of careers. ..

hcpatel78

mattmia2 said:

I'd also put in a plug for thinking about finding a way to get a mechanical engineering degree and figuring out how to work with those in the trade so you can bridge the engineering and the practical side of it.

Go for engineering study! You will become best professional...with all skills...

luketheplumber

As of now I've got a job at a reputable plumbing heating & air company and am loving every bit of it. This company is one of the last companies that is licensed to work on boilers. I got my GED in April and haven't looked back. I will be staying down here for now but definitely still see myself moving up north the the coming future.
By the way there are many more boilers down here in Durham NC than I originally thought. I get to help with one almost every day when I'm with the lead technician. I have respect for that technician and his knowledge and am trying to soak up every thing I can from him.
Thank you all again for your help.

Steamhead

Don't forget, if you guys get stuck, we're here.