Trades v. computer science?

Any trade associated with a union = golden ticket. Cannot get fired and can even get away with assholian behavior

Sure but read above - is it a better choice for what i value?I don't really care about having the security of a union or being able to screw around - would like a job with autonomy, creativity and meaning.

Union yes wrote:

Any trade associated with a union = golden ticket. Cannot get fired and can even get away with assholian behavior

precarious choices wrote:

Sure but read above - is it a better choice for what i value?

I don't really care about having the security of a union or being able to screw around - would like a job with autonomy, creativity and meaning.

Union yes wrote:

Any trade associated with a union = golden ticket. Cannot get fired and can even get away with assholian behavior

Every job has meaning or else they wouldn't pay someone to do it.

"motherf ucker, who puts a vent on the floor?"

Some imbecile architect who went 5 years to college.

I value: autonomy, flexibility, creativity

I don't like: boredom, micromanagement

Okay, I started to write a thoughtful reply, but this question just seems too vague. It will vary drastically between companies, not to mention various fields (of which there are countless within the "trades").

I was originally going to say trades offer autonomy (especially if you are a dependable employee). They may not offer an ideal amount of flexibility or creativity on a daily basis. However, if you actually enjoy the work you do, you will find small ways to be creative.

However, it began to ring false due to the lack of specificity in the question.

I would recommend that you choose, as best you can , the field that you will most enjoy growing within. If you manage to get close to that, a lot of the things you value in a job will naturally occur regardless.

Electrician/automation technician.

I would recommend that you choose, as best you can , the field that you will most enjoy growing within. If you manage to get close to that, a lot of the things you value in a job will naturally occur regardless.

Bwaaaaahaaaaaahaaaa! I bet you like the band Coldplay

Thanks! I am leaning the compsci route as I feel I can express myself creatively and it will be a lot more engaging. An added bonus is the training/education isn't so structured (you can self learn, learn online, go to college, go to uni etc)

i have a job wrote:

Okay, I started to write a thoughtful reply, but this question just seems too vague. It will vary drastically between companies, not to mention various fields (of which there are countless within the "trades").

I was originally going to say trades offer autonomy (especially if you are a dependable employee). They may not offer an ideal amount of flexibility or creativity on a daily basis. However, if you actually enjoy the work you do, you will find small ways to be creative.

However, it began to ring false due to the lack of specificity in the question.

I would recommend that you choose, as best you can , the field that you will most enjoy growing within. If you manage to get close to that, a lot of the things you value in a job will naturally occur regardless.

software engineering is a 'trade' for smart people

it seems like a better trade in that it offers a little more autonomy and less mundane work. How smart do you have to be thought? I got 90-95% in high school math and physics but sucked it up with 70% in calculus first year which has me worried.

overthe wrote:

software engineering is a 'trade' for smart people

Coding is neither a science nor engineering.

I know - but it is appealing - I wonder if I have the chops for it?

Engineer wrote:

Coding is neither a science nor engineering.

Eelecttrishin. Them thar compewters don't run without elektricity. You're the man when the power goes out.

precarious choices wrote:

Considering a career move to either trades or computer science (specifically front end or full stack web developer)

What would you recommend?

I value: autonomy, flexibility, creativity

I don't like: boredom, micromanagement

Honestly, I think trades would be the better long term choice. I know a few guys in your situation. One thought becoming Microsoft Certified TS (MCTS) was the ticket to wealth. He burned out and he's teaching tennis now.

You have to pick the right trade. In my opinion, this is plumbing. The problem is getting to the point you can open your own business. If you stay average plumber, you won't have much autonomy and you'll get boring jobs.

Web front end and developer (front page) is grunt work.

precarious choices wrote:

I value: autonomy, . . .

Yet here you are asking anonymous strangers what to do with your life.

Plumbing is all about problem solving, creativity, etc.

Your work will be inspected and evaluated. You may have to serve as an apprentice and you may consider all this "micro management". Once you are established you will be off doing projects with no management at all.

Engineer wrote:

Coding is neither a science nor engineering.

There's more to it than "coding".

The trades definitely seem like they require creativity and problem solving.

I say this as a finance guy with absolutely no repair skills. The few times I've done things on my own it takes forever to research and get the job done so I don't bother any more. I call someone in, and they know what to do immediately, and some of their solutions seem very creative. I'm always impressed with them.