So my question should then be: are there any trades where you don’t end up completely beaten in the end? Or should I consider a completely different career path?
In my OPINION, most trades take a toll on your body one way or another. Maybe with an HVAC tech there’s some less wear and tear if you provided service to businesses and homes, but you more than likely you still would be replacing a/c compressors, heating furnaces, boilers etc. So not only would you have plenty of interaction with the general public, but you would still have the physical aspects to deal with.
Go around the world and LOOK at all the HVAC equipment whether it’s in the basements of homes, or on the roof tops of buildings. How do you think it got there? How do you think it wll get out of there when you are called for a service call, and it needs to be replaced? Or, maybe you work for a company and your “boss” determines that you are better at installations instead of service, and all you do daily is work on removing the old and installing the new?
I knew an older(40’s) paper hanger 20 years ago. All this man did daily for YEARS was install commercial wallpaper in everything from hotels to office buildings. He had his tunes going, and would move along rapidly hanging these huge pieces of paper (commercial paper is much wider and thicker than residential paper). I commented to him once about his job looked pretty good, and he told me that it’s all he knew how to do, but he didn’t recommend ANY job that wears out your body. I thought his job was less wear and tear than your average trade, but he complained about the constant stretching, bending, climbing up and down his rolling scaffolding etc. etc. ALL DAY LONG DAY AFTER DAY. He had all types of aches, and pains DAILY that he had to work through.
I’m not against anyone going into any trade as they are NEEDED EVERYWHERE, but you should evaluate ALL SIDES before you INVEST your Time, Energy, Resources, and Efforts, and even then there are no guarantees just like the rest of life.
I’m taking this into consideration, and realize that if I started in early 20s it might not have been a bigger deal. But now in my mid 30s, after working factory jobs and dealing with lifting s~~~, I realize maybe it’s not the best idea to get into trades. I guess there’s a reason why they pay good wages not only for the work you do, but also for how the work will wear out your body so it’s compensated for that as well.
I’m still thinking about trucking, but a buddy of mine who was a trucker got in an accident. Basically almost fell behind a wheel…he suggested not getting into it. But idk maybe I can get a local gig so as not to do long haul.
