Who Here Works for an AWESOME Company & is Passionate About What They Do?

[Great-Kazoo]

I work for myself now. I couldn't be happier

We're retired, everyday is saturday.

[Bailey Guns]

10 years active, 4 guard and reserve in the AF. 15 years, give or take, as a cop...firearms instructor, SWAT, supervisor. Owned my own business for 8 years. I liked them all, good and bad, but got tired of all of them for one reason or another.

I really like my current job and employer. I can't say I'm passionate about either, though. And I stumbled into this job just looking for a part time gig 8 years ago. The company is probably the best employer I've ever had in terms of taking care of me. Benefits are as good as any I've had, even in the military and working LE. The pay isn't as good as LE, but I don't need to make as much these days so it keeps me in guns and Harleys. Unfortunately, my company is going thru some serious debt issues over an acquisition that went bad a few years ago. Stock price (we get stock thru an employee ownership plan) went from about $25 a share to currently trading at $1.25. It's been down as low as $0.54 recently. So, part of my retirement strategy is in the tank. But, they're working out of it. It just may take some time.

On the other hand, I'm trying to see some opportunity here. I bought 1100 shares of the stock today because it just might get back to where it should be within 5 years or so. That would be a tidy little sum.

I guess, for me, I've always found something in every job I've had that kept me from wanting to do it forever. Maybe I just don't like working. I miss the camaraderie of the military and LE and being part of something bigger than me. The trade off to that is I work in a one-man shop now, very low stress, very little supervision, just pretty much do my own thing. There's a lot to be said for that.

Sorry I don't have any real wisdom to pass on to you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[TFOGGER]

You could always throw all financial security out the window and open a motorcycle shop....

[ray1970]

I like the company I work for. Been here going on fifteen years. My previous best record was two. That was about as long as I could put up with stupid shit before I moved on. Can?t say I?m particularly passionate about what I?m currently doing as it is a bit mundane and routine but working four days a week makes it bearable. Plus, for what I do I?m paid pretty well. There?s other perks too. Things like having a company vehicle, good benefits, seven weeks of time off every year, etc. I?m at a point where I only plan to work about ten or twelve more years anyways so might as well just tough it out.

[wctriumph]

Know anything about motorcycles? Long hours (coming soon) and medium pay or a commission sales position which if you are good may make you real good money.

https://www.nocopowersports.us/ is hiring in all departments.

[def90]

I’m self employed and my boss is an asshole.

[Mercula]

Go work for New Belgium !

[Jer]

My advice with this. I remember you having weight issues or something, then I remember you getting into crossfit. If you are now in good shape go for it. I dont know your personal situation. (dont be offended by any of that. I am just trying to make sure you are ready to do it. Its a competitive market and the academy isnt easy if you are out of shape.

If you are in good shape now. Enroll in the local Community College Fire 1 Academy. Get your Firefighter 1 cert and Hazmat Cert. You will get those at the academy. At the same time enroll in the night EMT program. In 4 months or so (from the time your class starts) you will be employable. There are still lots of good firefighting jobs out there. The fact that you are 40 should not stop you. I am a few years older than you and I could out PT almost all the kids at the Academy. You do need to have both of those things done to be employable. Its extremely doubtful anyone will hire you off the street and send you to their academy in todays market. At the academy there will be a day when departments will come to do hiring. You can get hired right out of the academy. Is Fire a good job? Most fire guys work 9-10 days a month. (24 hour shifts) They make good money in Northern Colorado. In the Denver Metro they make great money. Then many guys will pick up extra shifts at small fire departments or at your local ambulance service. You get to work with mostly great people and hang out a lot of the time. You can spend time on the clock working out, getting more college courses done, doing ICS courses, etc.

I didn't mean to ignore this post earlier but it took me to a later post when I clicked the link from the email notification. Glad I scrolled back up because this is some solid info.

Not offended at all as I realize that's an important aspect & I appreciate you being real with me. I've been on the Crossfit train six days a week for about four years now. Love it. While I'm content with my overall fitness level & satisfied with how far I've come there's always more to be done no matter how fit you are, right? I'm told by fellow firefighter/Crossfitters (we have several at the Crossfit box we go to, the owner and all of the coaches are as well as several of the members) that my level of fitness would be more than enough to pass any physical testing required to get in. That's a good feeling and shows the hard work has paid off I guess.

The guys I was talking to said to apply for opportunities and interview and if a dept liked me they would put me through academy and all that jazz. Sounds like if I put myself through it might make me a little more desirable candidate which makes sense. I'm not as worried about the age as one of the guys I was talking to didn't decide until he was 36 that he wanted to be a firefighter and got on full time at like 37 or 38. Another buddy told me about a guy that gave up his life as an attorney to do it at 45 years old. I figure if they can do it I can too if I put all of my eggs in that one basket and focus.

[Jer]

Know anything about motorcycles? Long hours (coming soon) and medium pay or a commission sales position which if you are good may make you real good money.

https://www.nocopowersports.us/ is hiring in all departments.

I do. Well, that is to say I did anyway. I used to own, ride and work on motorcycles for many years. That ship has sailed though and I chose life over the thrill of riding on two wheels years ago. I used to be wildly passionate about them but now I kind of avoid the subject to help forget how much fun they were. I realize I wouldn't have to ride but my guess is it would be a lot like a recovering alcoholic trying to be a bar tender. I know a few folks at that fine establishment too... just not sure it's something I would enjoy waking up for every day year round for years to come.

Go work for New Belgium !

Believe me, I looked into this as well. I saw they were hiring a Liquid Center Representative which I think would be a lot of fun to give tours and what not. It's a solid ESOP company with lots of potential for growth. I talked to a couple of friends who work there and come to find out they filled that position already and there really wasn't much else available. Hell, I remember applying for a janitor job there many years ago just to get my foot in the door. A little birdie told me that they tend to get hundreds of applicants for just about anything that comes available but I'm going to keep my eye on it anyway.

[Irving]

Just for my own clarification is this a thread specifically about you exploring new options, or just about work attitude in general? Both?