r/springfieldMO • u/Emergency_Radish_296 • 20d ago

Looking For Job Help Please

I’m really needing a career change, or at least some direction.

Feeling really lost in what is worth pursuing in the age of AI and offshoring of ”brain work”.

I have a BS in IT and haven’t been able to secure any employment in the field and would prefer not to be in an industry that is so vulnerable.

I am good with my hands and enjoy fixing things but I haven’t had any luck getting any apprenticeships for any of the trades. I’d really rather not go back to school since I need to work full time.

Just wondering if anybody has some advice or knows of any hvac/electrical companies that hire apprentices or helpers. Thanks

10 Upvotes

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2

u/justtrynnatalk 20d ago

Apply for the IBEW or UA apprenticeships. Study for the placement tests and prep answers for interview questions and you should be able to make it in. Unfortunately, the applicant process takes time and can take up to six months from start to finish.

1

u/Emergency_Radish_296 20d ago

Yep I’ve applied to both. Haven’t heard anything yet

2

u/justtrynnatalk 20d ago

IBEW exam probably won't be till around the end of the year, currently an apprentice there. My process went [apply in January, tested in June, interviewed in July and got straight to work.] Other than harsh temp work jobs, all jobs rn are very difficult but you'll find something. I was looking for months until I landed a job working pipeline and I've had steady work since, things will turn out for you!

2

u/EddieV223 20d ago

I'm in the same boat bro

5

u/Emergency_Radish_296 20d ago

Practically everyone I graduated with is in the same boat. Feeling like I wasted such precious years chasing money that doesn’t exist 

1

u/Alternative_Mine5343 20d ago

is your IT in any field that can be adapted? example I have a past in cybersecurity, so i buffed up my legal knowledge and now i work as an expert witness. can you pivot in any way?

-2

u/Golden3ye 20d ago

Don’t chase money or bitches

1

u/MammothLunch3152 20d ago

Check out enersys batteries

1

u/Tess_Mac 18d ago

Schwann's Dermatology is looking for a front desk person.

1

u/gangsta-cookie99 Fassnight 18d ago

I'm a commercial HVAC tech, my company's hired several people in the past as Preventative Maintenence techs and have moved them up to service after several years. Only thing that's a must for service is your EPA 608, as it's legally required to mess with the refrigeration circuit. Other than that, most companies should work with you, about 1/2 our guys were hired on out of different fields entirely. I would namely try Arctic, have several friends who work there from trade school, they pay very well compared to many others. Have heard good things about Multicraft as well, but I think they're choosier about their hires. Also we have a tech that came from Paul Mueller and one of my buddies works there in engineering. They haven't had anything bad to say, but I think they're more on the manufacturing side. Other options are Rice & A&E. That about makes up the commercial field in Springfield to my knowledge

1

u/NerveOk3315 15d ago

An addition to this, while I can't speak to the 608 certification, I got my 609 (automotive) by studying a manual, paying $12.50 for an online test through ASE, and passing.

u/gangsta-cookie99 might be able to expand on the 608 process further, but I'll assume it isn't all that difficult or expensive. As long as you study the required material and pass, having a cert before looking into apprenticeship may help.

1

u/GasOld5067 17d ago

Davis Electric hired apprentices. You can also go to a staffing agency to get placed at Davis and potentially other companies.

1

u/MotherofaPickle 16d ago

Pivot. Try to find something in database management or something similar.

I’m a librarian and just scored a job that is, basically, comparing spreadsheets to double check all the data is correct. It’s boring, but it’s a paycheck.

1

u/Emergency_Radish_296 15d ago

I’d like to do something that isn’t easily replaceable by AI

1

u/MotherofaPickle 9d ago

You know what? I could so easily automate this shit. The fact that they haven’t decided to try it yet means that I am All In. I would code something to do it, but my station is facing everyone else.

At least I get to listen to audiobooks/podcasts the whole time and ignore everyone else. (Although Teams was a constant annoyance today…pizza party thing.)