31 looking for career change. Advice?

S

Spikenard

Location
Here
Hey all,

I have been recently looking into completely changing my career path as I am stagnant where I am now. Currently I have an office job that is killing my soul. The pay and benefits are pretty good but the work is mundane, not challenging, and just annoying in general. It’s IT work on a computer which I’m good at but I’m getting to a point in my life where I want to be able to see the end product of my hard work.

I live in Maine, so there is no shortage of work around here regarding this career path. I have worked in the outdoors before doing landscaping and masonry. I also am quite active in the outdoors during all the seasons we have up here so I’m not afraid of hard work in the elements. Arboriculture is something I have been looking into and am super interested In both for its Skillset and it’s importance , to be able to see the end result of my work is becoming more important to me as I grow older.

My concern is that I am 31. Is that too old to start? I understand the aspect of mastering the groundwork before getting up into the tree. A great groundsman will evolve into a great climber. My ultimate goal is to branch out on my own by the time I’m 40 or earlier. I have access to a few resources as I am good friends with a few business owners in my area. One of whom does freelance tree work and is going to show me the “ropes” around his property before I get started under an actual arborist.

Any advice moving forward? Is this a huge mistake in my part to start this line of work so late in life?

Thanks!
 
Ha! My first day the boss said “ Jonny, this is Jim, he’s your foreman, he’ll show you the ropes.” Jim said “ They’re already on the truck, I’ll show you later.”

Sorry. Simple mind here.

Anyways, welcome :)

If you’re in decent shape, got some brains, and no big health issues, go for it. At least see if you’re sure that’s what you want.
You sure you’ll stay busy enough during winters in Maine? I sure don’t miss being broke and praying for ice storms.

Good attitude and plan, start at the bottom and learn. Hopefully you can link up with a good employer.
Be safe.
 
Bango Skank said:
Ha! My first day the boss said “ Jonny, this is Jim, he’s your foreman, he’ll show you the ropes.” Jim said “ They’re already on the truck, I’ll show you later.”

Sorry. Simple mind here.

Anyways, welcome :)

If you’re in decent shape, got some brains, and no big health issues, go for it. At least see if you’re sure that’s what you want.
You sure you’ll stay busy enough during winters in Maine? I sure don’t miss being broke and praying for ice storms.

Good attitude and plan, start at the bottom and learn. Hopefully you can link up with a good employer.
Be safe.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply!

Yeah, my buddy I’ll be learning from does most of his tree work in the winter. From what I gather Some trees are better pruned in the colder months? Also, the Brown Tail moth and ticks are dormant during the winter months as well as the masquitos! So it makes being in the woods a bit more tolerable.

No health problems and in great shape. Perfectly capable of learning quickly I think. I’m excited to get started.

The first thing I need to catch up on I think is proper rope techniques ( Proper knots and knot applications and coils etc...) that’s pretty important.
 
Welcome bud. By the Browntail reference we are in the same area, what a joy those fuckers are. There are some similar threads to this one of folks looking to get into and out of treecare, search around and you'll find good insight that's been given already.
If you have the option of flexibility in your current job that would be huge for learning this stuff and may impart some more joy in your current job. This is not a get rich quick field and sure as shit not in Maine, but ever interesting and as much learning as you search for.
I do it because I have the skills, gear, and schooling for it but IT jobs will buy a house faster, put you in the hospital or outta commission less, and lends easier to vertical progress in the business world. As a greenhorn rates are in the $13-$16 with a few exceptions and climbers/foremans are not getting double that, plus there are a lot of treeworkers and sole-proprietors around. 31 isn't old, but it will take a bit to make decent money... Read up, practice knots in the dark, go slow, etc etc. Feel free to pm me if you want to meet up for a beer and knot tying at the bar too.
 
Hi @Spikenard, if 31 is too old then I am in trouble. I just started tree work this summer (May) at 37. I have really enjoyed it. I had a desk job before, and I have had some days that are a toll on the body, which would probably be easier if younger, but I have also found that there is a lot I pick up more quickly than the younger guys on the crew. In short, I have not found my age to be a serious detriment.
 
Engineer here for 20 years of my life and was a pretty good one mind you. But, I'm grew up in the country and I would rather be put to death than sit in another cubicle/building/production floor/etc. Oh that and being on the phone telling you IT guys how to fix my darn computer ;)

I did tree work and painting growing up and realized just how missed working outside with a small business. I love my tree customers and deal with very little BS from them. When I do have to "explain my approach", they're usually very understanding and I always take the time to make sure they're on board.

If there's one thing I can offer is to get in with small town and rural customers if you can. They are the best to work with, and usually have more open spaces that require less rigging. Suburbanites (like me) and city folks are generally good, but some can be rude, and cheap. All of my rural customers are gold. They will even offer to help drag brush or whatever and not even ask for a discount, though I usually give them one. I've even had one insist that I eat dinner with them, sweat, dirt, and sawdust welcome. Another one gave me a case of wine from his winery. Another got his son to put an AC in my rental property for about $2,500 under my other bids. Another one repaired a blue line in my flat screen for $50. They tend to refer you more as well. Anyway, great people. I'll leave all the technical advice to the others.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the buzz board. Old dogs learn new tricks all the time, and you'll find a lot of [knowledgable] old farts on here. like @oldfart!

I'm in a full time IT job (Web infrastructure engineer), and doing tree work on the side. And I'm 32. So you & me, same-same.
Low & slow. Before you climb up, visualize how you will come down & practice that first.
 
Spikenard said:
Hey all,

I have been recently looking into completely changing my career path as I am stagnant where I am now. Currently I have an office job that is killing my soul. The pay and benefits are pretty good but the work is mundane, not challenging, and just annoying in general. It’s IT work on a computer which I’m good at but I’m getting to a point in my life where I want to be able to see the end product of my hard work.

I live in Maine, so there is no shortage of work around here regarding this career path. I have worked in the outdoors before doing landscaping and masonry. I also am quite active in the outdoors during all the seasons we have up here so I’m not afraid of hard work in the elements. Arboriculture is something I have been looking into and am super interested In both for its Skillset and it’s importance , to be able to see the end result of my work is becoming more important to me as I grow older.

My concern is that I am 31. Is that too old to start? I understand the aspect of mastering the groundwork before getting up into the tree. A great groundsman will evolve into a great climber. My ultimate goal is to branch out on my own by the time I’m 40 or earlier. I have access to a few resources as I am good friends with a few business owners in my area. One of whom does freelance tree work and is going to show me the “ropes” around his property before I get started under an actual arborist.

Any advice moving forward? Is this a huge mistake in my part to start this line of work so late in life?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Teach me IT stuff and I'll teach you to climb. I'm in the Brunswick area, shoot me a pm
 
Seriously, I would try to do part time tree, and part time whatever else you’ve been doing. 31 is by no means too old, but what kind of Arborist do you want to be? Half assed input will get like wise results. It’s certainly not a job for everybody, and those with only a passion will become a half way good Arborist. By Arborist I’m excluding tree slaying technicians for the broader part. You seriously need to have the drive to geek out, after work, on days off, and get the saw dust into your blood to excel in the industry.
Literally you have to be willing to die on the job and do absolutely everything you can to prevent it. Even then, it can be a roll of the dice at times.
Welcome to the dark side, and I wish you well.
 
I know quite a few that cycle in and out groundy work just to keep the weight off, they need money but that’s not why they do it...
 
Check out a podcast- the Ken Coleman Show. He has a list of great questions that help you gain clarity and confidence in the direction you should go. He also recommends crockpot solutions vs microwave. Don’t leap; test the waters, build momentum, and save up for transition.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom