Career ideas?

[Certus]

Hey guys,

This is a very, very open question that can have a million answers.. well aware.

My wife and I are looking to potentially move to Oklahoma in the next decade. Currently based in Australia and I’m 35 years old.

I spent 13 years as a machinist, 3 years in vegetation management on CSG infrastructure and am almost 12 months into working for the government as a park ranger.
Don’t want to go back to machining.

But considering a change, this can potentially include university/college if needed (I’ve done a diploma in conservation and land management, and finished high school), I have time.
Would certainly try and get a green card.

Any suggestions? I do enjoy working outdoors. The career options of the US of A are foreign to me.

Cheers.

 

[getazem]

Hey guys,

This is a very, very open question that can have a million answers.. well aware.

My wife and I are looking to potentially move to Oklahoma in the next decade. Currently based in Australia and I’m 35 years old.

I spent 13 years as a machinist, 3 years in vegetation management on CSG infrastructure and am almost 12 months into working for the government as a park ranger.
Don’t want to go back to machining.

But considering a change, this could potentially include university or college if needed. I’ve done a diploma in conservation and land management and finished high school, so I have time to explore different options, including resources like ap33 malaysia, before deciding on my next career move.
Would certainly try and get a green card.

Any suggestions? I do enjoy working outdoors. The career options of the US of A are foreign to me.

Cheers.

With your background, I’d look into environmental conservation, parks management, wildlife services, and utility vegetation management. Your experience as a park ranger and working around CSG infrastructure could transfer well to environmental compliance or land management roles in Oklahoma. I’d also consider environmental technician jobs, which may not require another degree. Before committing to university, check job listings in Oklahoma to see what qualifications employers actually want. Your biggest challenge will likely be securing work authorization, so research green card options early and look for employers willing to sponsor overseas applicants.

 

[45-70guy]

Any of the trades can be profitable and enjoyable. You get paid to “go to school” aka apprenticeship.
Meanwhile 6 years later you’re a master if you stay right in it and do your tests. Then the world is your oyster.
And for the last 20 years that oyster tastes pretty good.

 

[Wyit76]

I know you do not wish to but being a machinist in the US can be rather profitable especially if you are capable of doing it in the field. Heavy machinery companies are always hurting for guys capable of properly line boring.

 

[45-70guy]

If you get into the heavy equipment side of it you definitely can make bank in the right areas.

 

[CloudySkies]

Given you are coming out of Australia, you will want to look into the E3 visa which is a speciality workers category for Australians with its own quota and doesn’t incur additional fees like some of the other visas these days. Note they are infinitely renewable and spouses also can get employment authorization (not true for many categories). Not sure what to suggest on area, but with your experience that might be sufficient, just don’t go to school over here if you decide to do that, or you’ll end up in a mountain of debt.

Gonna ask the question - why Oklahoma?

 

[rookhawk]

Hey guys,

This is a very, very open question that can have a million answers.. well aware.

My wife and I are looking to potentially move to Oklahoma in the next decade. Currently based in Australia and I’m 35 years old.

I spent 13 years as a machinist, 3 years in vegetation management on CSG infrastructure and am almost 12 months into working for the government as a park ranger.
Don’t want to go back to machining.

But considering a change, this can potentially include university/college if needed (I’ve done a diploma in conservation and land management, and finished high school), I have time.
Would certainly try and get a green card.

Any suggestions? I do enjoy working outdoors. The career options of the US of A are foreign to me.

Cheers.

The best way to make a great living in America is to A.) Do a dirty or gross job many people don't want to do, B.) Work with your hands because an entire generation chose university to take on low-paying office work since manual labor is "beneath them", C.) Select a skilled trade that has a long learning curve and barriers to entry that ensure you can't be replaced by a foreign worker.

For you, the path is incredibly clear. Some speciality work that requires advanced knowledge of a machinist. Those jobs pay between $100,000-$300,000 in the States whether union or non-union.

Just pick a specialty that 1.) Can't be done cheaper in China, and 2.) Can't be done with AI.

Congrats on picking an excellent career at just the right time. Apologies, that you don't want to have a career in the area that is really in demand and pays a great wage.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I am retired US Park Service. I will be blunt: it would be impossible for you to get your foot in the door with them. First, by law the NPS can only hire US citizens (which I am). More importantly, even menial jobs have become ridiculously competitive. Even with 22 years experience, degrees in both history (PhD) and biology (including earth science, botany, wildfire management, etc), AND with a ten-point disabled veteran hiring preference, I doubt I could get back in the NPS now. I can't remember when I didn't score more than 100% on an application and still it was always a crap shoot. Trump has also thrown an extra monkey wrench in the works laying off thirty percent of the workforce. And finally, though I loved my work, working for the NPS was a challenge ... every day and every way. Let's just say the cream doesn't float to the top in that outfit. More like the stuff you see floating in the toilet bowl. Incompetence in management is epidemic. I guess because everyone wants to wear the Smokey the Bear hat. Office politics is the worst I have seen and I had a lot of vocations. Back stabbing reigns supreme. My advice is stick with nine to five machinist. Or apprentice to a gunsmith/vocational school. Those guys are dying out fast. LOTS of job opportunities there. And you're working for yourself, set your own hours, determine when you will go on vacation, etc. AND NO OFFICE POLITICS. AND NO CITIZEN PAPERS REQUIRED. When building my DGR I was in contact with an Aussie gunsmith in Red Deer. Very nice guy. I built the one DGR three years ago and rebuilt my deer rifle a couple of times. It is a wonderfully rewarding experience. If I was younger (turned 74 last week), I would definitely go that direction than park ranger. Too late now.

Here's the big bore I built. 404 Jeffery on a Czech 8mm military Mauser. I did everything but put the barrel on and open the bolt face. Would have done that but I don't have a lathe.

And here's my 03A3 Springfield that I have rebuilt many times. The only original parts are the bolt body and receiver.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I’m always looking for hardworking men. Utility protection, oil pad protection, fiber optic transport management, GIS survey. It’s tough work around construction and roughnecks. The pay is good and it’s not boring. We’re growing.

Problem is; I’m in North Dakota. Which is a lot like Oklahoma, except, we have some of the best waterfowl and upland bird hunting in the USA people come from all over the states to hunt here in the autumn. The fishing is great. Walleye, small mouth, northern pike, etc. And, we have moose. An abundance of them.

 

[SStomcat]

My advice, my friend, would be to look at where things are heading and choose a path that makes you genuinely valuable and difficult to replace. With your machinist background, you already have a solid foundation and practical skills that can open doors. You might consider exploring trades like electrical work, plumbing, or construction, where you could build on your existing experience with some additional training and certifications. Skilled trades will continue to have a place in the world, regardless of how much technology changes things.
The good thing is, you're not starting from scratch. You already have experience, and that's something you can build on. Sometimes a career change isn't about starting over, it's about taking what you know and using it to open a new door.
My advice would be to find something you're reasonably good at, can see yourself doing for years, and hopefully enjoy along the way. Perhaps the days when we expected a job to be our passion and our source of happiness are behind us, but that doesn't mean we can't find satisfaction in what we do.

At the end of the day, a skill that keeps you employable, pays the bills, and gives you a little peace of mind is worth a lot. And if you find something you genuinely love doing in the process, all the better! You've got experience on your side, mate, so don't underestimate what you can still achieve.

 

[Aaron N]

As a tradesman, I understand you not being keen on getting back into it, but I would say sucking it up (at least for the short term) would be your best option to make good money right away and help getting you both established. After that you can explore other options if you so desire

 

[Adam Stevens]

I’m always looking for hardworking men. Utility protection, oil pad protection, fiber optic transport management, GIS survey. It’s tough work around construction and roughnecks. The pay is good and it’s not boring. We’re growing.

Problem is; I’m in North Dakota. Which is a lot like Oklahoma, except, we have some of the best waterfowl and upland bird hunting in the USA people come from all over the states to hunt here in the autumn. The fishing is great. Walleye, small mouth, northern pike, etc. And, we have moose. An abundance of them.

I'd be stateside in a heart beat if it wasnt for family roots and wifey. and my job is in demand. dual ticketed electrician and lineman.

Most everyone I know in trades would say the same, Canada sucks lately. And the currency conversion hurts even more doing anything international.

Even I feel, usa is still the land of opportunity. as cliche as that sounds.

OP, looks like the E3 thing is a very neat doorway in. especially for spouse.

 

[dogcat1]

Oilfield is where your skills will be used/needed. There are numerous excellent companies in Oklahoma City where mechanics are in high demand. Plus, Okla City is a decent place to live.

 

[WAB]

I ran oil refineries and ag chemical complexes for many decades. If you can handle a 2 on 2 off schedule, you can live anywhere in the US and work the slope. If you want to get out of the machinist work, pick up I&E, process tech, crane operator, etc.. Alaska pays the highest wages for skilled trades in the US. When we went through desert storm, we kept my guys who were called up whole on their salaries. I was topping a door gunner up to $130,000/yr and that was a lot of years ago!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'd be stateside in a heart beat if it wasnt for family roots and wifey. and my job is in demand. dual ticketed electrician and lineman.

Most everyone I know in trades would say the same, Canada sucks lately. And the currency conversion hurts even more doing anything international.

Even I feel, usa is still the land of opportunity. as cliche as that sounds.

OP, looks like the E3 thing is a very neat doorway in. especially for spouse.

You need to check out the price of health insurance down there and what it pays for, what it doesn't, how much you have to pay for deductable, co-payment, preferred physicians, etc, etc, etc. Health care is what kept me from moving back. It's not all rainbows and unicorns.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Where in Oklahoma are you looking to move? What are your minimum salary requirements?

 

[Betterinthebush]

I ran oil refineries and ag chemical complexes for many decades. If you can handle a 2 on 2 off schedule, you can live anywhere in the US and work the slope. If you want to get out of the machinist work, pick up I&E, process tech, crane operator, etc.. Alaska pays the highest wages for skilled trades in the US. When we went through desert storm, we kept my guys who were called up whole on their salaries. I was topping a door gunner up to $130,000/yr and that was a lot of years ago!

100%. If some people could see the payroll approvals I make every two weeks for some of my hot-shots, their jaws would hit the floor.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The downside to oil patch is the cost of living is ridiculous. Housing is way beyond premium. Drive through Williston or Minot and see the mass of workers living in camper trailers, etc. because that's all they can get. Not fun when it's -50° ... and yes it does get that cold. I've actually had my 19' tandem axel camper lifted onto two wheels during +100 mph wind in Eastern Montana oil patch. Grain cars were blown off the tracks in Big Sandy. Work in the oil fields can pay the big bucks for sure but check out the "downside" before committing. Also, the crime rate in oil patch is some of the worst anywhere. Just a walk through Williston Walmart on any afternoon can be eye opening.

 

[Rimshot]

You need to check out the price of health insurance down there and what it pays for, what it doesn't, how much you have to pay for deductable, co-payment, preferred physicians, etc, etc, etc. Health care is what kept me from moving back. It's not all rainbows and unicorns.

The pay gap for many skilled jobs in the US vs rest of the world is so large, one should be able to cover all the healthcare they want and then some, and still come out ahead. Besides that, most of those skilled jobs come with insurance that pays for almost everything anyway. And, not everyone needs dozens of doctor visits per year.

OP is in a unique situation being Australian means he can take advantage of a favorable visa situation in the US as previously mentioned.

 

[WAB]

The downside to oil patch is the cost of living is ridiculous. Housing is way beyond premium. Drive through Williston or Minot and see the mass of workers living in camper trailers, etc. because that's all they can get. Not fun when it's -50° ... and yes it does get that cold. I've actually had my 19' tandem axel camper lifted onto two wheels during +100 mph wind in Eastern Montana oil patch. Grain cars were blown off the tracks in Big Sandy. Work in the oil fields can pay the big bucks for sure but check out the "downside" before committing. Also, the crime rate in oil patch is some of the worst anywhere. Just a walk through Williston Walmart on any afternoon can be eye opening.

That’s not an issue with a slope job if you can handle the schedule.