31 looking for career change. Advice?

39Buick said:
I had to laugh! I am 56 and am seriously thinking of doing tree work as a side gig to help pay for my rec climbing adventures!!! So I say Rock on and chase your hearts desire!!
Click to expand...
I am 66 and been climbing for almost two years now (well, I actually did a lot of climbing in industry in my twenties and thirties, but that was seriously Old School before we had all this new gear and comfy saddles). The neighbors see me climbing in my own trees and have started getting me to do small jobs like pruning dead limbs hanging over their driveways, etc. I am not going to tackle anything serious since we have a pro arborist here who I would refer them to. But this small stuff is fun and supplements my social security.
 
Diversification.

One injury can put you out of tree work forever. More so than most careers.

IT-aptitude seems like you have a good way of working remotely doing some types of 'computer stuff' (tree company websites, as a specialty niche?) on your own schedule, possibly.





There are a tremendous variety of working experiences in the tree industry.
What you see here is an anomaly. Most tree services are just average.

Who do you intend to work for? Private company, municipal/ gov't, conservation organization, self-employment?

A combo?




Go to your closest climbing gym. Work on your footwork. Work on your footwork. Work on your footwork. Work on your core-strength.
Make yourself a simple climbing wall at home where you can work on your core strength and footwork. You see where I'm going with this. The rest of the strength and endurance will come, focus on finesse not climbing grades. You should be exerting just barely enough energy to not fall off, no more. Same in trees...path of least effort.





I have no idea what it's like to start climbing with a chainsaw and working. I had well over a decade of rock climbing experience and years of forest experience cutting.
This is soooo important to me being able to do what I do now.





Learn all the tech-speak of tree work as much as possibly. If you are not fluent in the language, you lose a lot.






Start living the ultramarathoner life. You're in an ultramarathon of work for the rest of your life.


Your opportunity to go work with @SeanRuel should not be passed up, IMO.
 
Thanks for all the great responses guys. I will definitely take some of your advice. I’m gunna test the waters a bit, work with a few different people. Learn my knots and get some rigging experience, save for some gear..etc... I know I won’t be climbing right off the bat but at least getting a little bit of that experience will help me in the future.

Eventually my goal is to bump my job down to part time and maybe nab a gig with some people I know.
 
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...
It ain't to late if you're in good shape.im bumping 60 and still climbing my butt off and can ride a bicycle 100 miles in a day.It's all in what you love.i love chainsaws trees and heights.and most of all cold beer at the end of a hard hot day.go for it!
 
I worked as a commercial banker for 10 years before I quit at the age of 35 to pursue becoming an arborist. I used my vacation time and sick days to attend an Arboriculture program at a community college in Milwaukee one day a week while I kept my day job. After the first semester I decided to make the jump and go work for one of my banking clients that owned a small tree business. Within 6 months I was flying the bucket and doing small climbing jobs. I worked for him for two years four days a week. I used the fifth day and weekends to attend class and do side jobs. Through class I got my pesticide license and started treating ash trees for emerald ash borer (no one else was doing it in my area). Before I knew it I had a pretty nice side gig. I was actually referring tons of tree work to my then boss because I didn't have the time or equipment. In January I decided to start my own business. I used by savings for a down payment on a spider lift and bought a 1999 F250 with a dump box. I already had all my saws, climbing gear, and pesticide equipment. Today, things are going great and the business is growing. It certainly can be done if you want it. Best decision I ever made. My wife always comments on how much happier I seem since quitting the banking racket. Best advice would be either find a really good mentor or go back to school. Attend as many seminars in Arboriculture as possible. You will meet lots of good professional people that will steer you in the right direction. Best of luck.
 
Nickvandervelde said:
I worked as a commercial banker for 10 years before I quit at the age of 35 to pursue becoming an arborist. I used my vacation time and sick days to attend an Arboriculture program at a community college in Milwaukee one day a week while I kept my day job. After the first semester I decided to make the jump and go work for one of my banking clients that owned a small tree business. Within 6 months I was flying the bucket and doing small climbing jobs. I worked for him for two years four days a week. I used the fifth day and weekends to attend class and do side jobs. Through class I got my pesticide license and started treating ash trees for emerald ash borer (no one else was doing it in my area). Before I knew it I had a pretty nice side gig. I was actually referring tons of tree work to my then boss because I didn't have the time or equipment. In January I decided to start my own business. I used by savings for a down payment on a spider lift and bought a 1999 F250 with a dump box. I already had all my saws, climbing gear, and pesticide equipment. Today, things are going great and the business is growing. It certainly can be done if you want it. Best decision I ever made. My wife always comments on how much happier I seem since quitting the banking racket. Best advice would be either find a really good mentor or go back to school. Attend as many seminars in Arboriculture as possible. You will meet lots of good professional people that will steer you in the right direction. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
I started even later than you at 40. Now 52. Soon 53. I climb 5 days a week. Biz is solid. Love my job.
 
swingdude said:
My post is telling most once you are physically able it is never to late to become an arborist. Just remember it is not a career to get rich. But the reward sure beats money.
Click to expand...
There are some days that I really consider spending thousands of dollars to go soak in the kind of views that you get paid to see every day.
 
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.
Click to expand...

Today I watched a documentary about the actor Sterling Hayden. Within the opening minutes, he had this opinion to share, which made me think of this thread.

Dead at 22
 
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