AboutTorski Dobson-Arnold Expertise Career assessment, Career planning, job fair participation, teen and young adult job search strategies, resume writing for new job seekers.
Experience 1o years on human resources management specifically in recruitment, staffing, employment, and compensation. Worked and headed groups that built succession plans from the ground-up. Volunteer with local high school and colleges to present workshops on career planning and readiness issues.
Organizations NAAAHR (National Association of African-Americans in HR)
SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management)
NRWA (National Resume Writer's Association)
AORCP (Association of Online Resume and Career Professionals)
Education/Credentials MS in Human Resources Management
BA in Marketing Management
PHR certification (awarded in 2006)
Question QUESTION: Hello Torski Im hoping you can help me out. Heres a little background on me. I am 21 years old, I have a machinist apprenticeship and millwright apprenticeship started (I am a 2nd year machinist and a 2nd year millwright). I was able to obtain these at such a young age by starting the machinist trade in highschool threw a program and then continuing threw a college program and eventually switched over to millwright threw the same college program.
Here's where I hit some trouble last year. I was going threw alot of family/mental problems (like anxiety and worry for some reason) and it affected me negatively ultimately resulting in a cheap termination and therefore I lost my program position. After this I became quite depressed for a while. I now work again in a really good job as a labourer at Finning CAT (worldwide company for CATEPILLAR heavy equipment) but I would like to finish up that millwright apprenticeship just so I have something to rely back on.
I am having a hard time finding job openings for a millwright apprentice and I am losing hope of finishing it. I keep kicking myself for losing the program spot (although I need to put that aside now!!) and I still need to re-challenge the 2nd year test Im wondering will this hold me back (I went to my 2nd year of school, I passed the schooling but did not pass the final test). I do however get a good reference from the company that felt I was not ready to work for them at the time of my personal troubles. I also feel I am putting alot of stress on myself for some reason I think about being 22 next March (2010) and that I kick myself because had I been able to stay in the program I would be a Journeyman by the end of 2010 early 2011 or so but now this will be extended.
Should I pursue this millwright ticket still? I have alot of interest in being an automotivge technician and have been seriously considering just taking a mechanic helpers job and starting new in 2010 and just work at this labour job until the new year. I can say at this labour job I make more money then I ever have before. Im not sure what to do and I cant help but feel Im getting to "old" to keep fooling around. Im almost 22 and havent decided what I really want to do yet! Some people are finished college/university or trades by now! Thanks for any advice and I hope this was clearly written.
Drew L
ANSWER: Drew,
First I commend your efforts to find your true calling so early in your life. May people don't figure out what their true passion is until they are somewhere in their 40s or 50s, so kudos to you! Anyway, in regards to whether or not you should pursue the millwright apprenticeship or stick to your current work is strictly up to you, however, being so young, why not strive for both? I don't think it would hurt you any to have both accomplishments under your belt and could prove to be a vary valuable asset to prospective employers.
Unfortunately though, I think you are beating yourself up for what did or didn't happen with your former employer. Let that go. The past is what it is - the past. We can't change it nor will worrying about "woulda, coulda, shouldas" do anything to help your current dilemma. Instead, you should concentrate on the present and the future. If you are in an area technically that you believe to be fulfilling both professionally and financially allowing you to make the type of money you want to make to build the future you want to have, then live it and ENJOY!
If it was meant for you to get the millwright apprenticeship done, then that "door of opportunity" will be reveal to you again in due time.
I am very proud of your efforts to lock in on your true talents so early in your career. I believe that you are going to be very satisfied in your work going forward because of your efforts.
I hope this helps and I apologize in the delay to your question.
Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,
Torski
The Career Confidence Coach
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Torski, I waited until your vacation was finished to follow up I hope you enjoyed the time :) Anyway thank you for the advice and inspiration of sorts it helps. Your right about me needing to let things go as that will only drag me down but it is hard. I had every opportunity in front of me in that program to finish the trade at a young age. Its also hard because I live in a smaller town/city (about 110,000) and allot of the big companies here know the college trade program and hire kids from it so they always question why I left like I'm stupid (I feel this anyway but it may just be my irrational judgement of the situation#. I am fairly happy where I am now as a labourer as the people are good for the most part and my supervisors are great. Like I mentioned the pay is also good and I am just glad to have a job while many are struggling to find work.
My main goal for the next few years was to finish the millwright or machinist ticket and begin either automotive technician training or actually go back to school for something once I have that safety net #Journeymen ticket in a trade# because right now with the economy there are still allot of JM jobs but few apprentice jobs.
I suppose with how the economy is that also gives a person like me looking for specific jobs a bit of a smack to the confidence because allot of times I'm probably up against a couple hundred other apprentices wanting the same jobs. Everytime you don't get a response or interview it sucks but I suppose you can't let it stop yourself from trying.
Lastly what do you think about working where I am until the new year and then see if I get any opportunities #they do offer heavy equipment technician apprenticeships although its been slow so not for a while they haven't# and if not #I will be saving hard for these last 4 months of 2009# maybe start fresh in 2010 and begin a pathway to automotive technician threw a college program like those UTI courses in the USA. I can bring what skills I did learn from millwright and machining as well! I just need to stop worrying that I'm almost 22 #march 2010) and haven't really done anything the last few years out of high school or so I feel like I didn't. And that is where you said 40/50 year olds are figuring it out so I keep that in mind ;) Drew L
Answer Drew,
I believe you have LOTS of options right now. The one thing I gather from your questions is that you are looking for the "right" answer to many of your inquiries. Let me be the first, but surely not the last to tell you, that there are no "RIGHT" answers in career decisions.
The only "RIGHT" answer is the one you choose and follow through on.
Again, I think you're on to a GREAT start. I am not in a place to decide on exact specifics for you as your career goes. I think you already know what you should do. FOllow your heart and your gut.
