Career ideas?

[Certus]

Huh.., uh.., what.., winters? Mostly wind. No biggie. Ok. It gets cold too. And, yes, sure, when you put them both together it gets a little “challenging”. Why are you being so honest? I’m trying to recruit here?!? lol!

Ha! I went to Hot Springs, South Dakota. Beautiful state. I can’t even imagine winters there (although when we went there was a small amount of snow in the shadows of the trees). Would certainly be an experience.

I love the USA, it truely is, in my opinion, the most beautiful country with the most diversity of landscape on Earth.

On topic - very, very little experience welding. Just enough to complete the trade and fix the odd stuff up.

I’d like a career that would potentially allow for a house around the 400k mark (in Oklahoma) without struggling to live. I don’t know what that requires over there or if it’s just a pipe dream. Here that’s the average house price, which is nuts.

 

[revturbo9967]

400k is low where I live, average is 600-900 unless it’s a trailer. That said I live in the northeast where everything is 1.5x more than the rest of the country outside of California. We have friends outside of Tulsa and their house was in the 550k mark for a new build. With your backgrounds, you should be able to afford a house even with today’s rates.

 

[farmer_john]

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.

If your not super hard up for cash being a firefighter is a bemretty good job. Work 24 off for 48 and a four day a month. There some places with different schedules but the one i just listed is pretty common.

Places like nashville where the sci convention is you can get like 90 an hour working a overtime shift just hauling drunks to the hospital a mile away from downtown

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Become a Park Ranger, son. You won’t regret it. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University Of London in 1967 and my postgraduate degree in Principles Of Forestry from the University Of Peshawar in 1970 before becoming a career forest officer. I never regretted a moment of it.

Besides, forest officers are handsome. I mean… look at me !

 

[Altitude sickness]

Thats a Bad Ass right there.

Become a Park Ranger, son. You won’t regret it. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University Of London in 1967 and my postgraduate degree in Principles Of Forestry from the University Of Peshawar in 1970 before becoming a career forest officer. I never regretted a moment of it.

Besides, forest officers are handsome. I mean… look at me !
View attachment 801309

 

[VertigoBE]

Good luck with your search @Certus !
I think we will be seeing an increasing amount of people coming from the “developed Western world” to the USA…

 

[LimbNoMo]

If you are capable or have the aptitude for welding. Look into Union Pipeline Welding Local 798 Oklahoma. No better paying jobs in the skilled labor industry right now. Pipeline business is booming all over the US and the world always needs welders and skilled craftsmen…

I served a 5 Year Apprenticeship in the Steamfitters Union Local in Northern California. Had an amazing career. Retired with a pension, great health and welfare package, 401K, and couldn’t imagine doing anything else considering my circumstances at the time.

That’s why I asked where he was going to live and how much he needed to make. OKC and Tulsa both have pipefitting/plumbing locals, not to mention 798.

Most people have a hard time starting as an apprentice and making $23 (1st year 798 wage) an hour later in life, although quite a few jobs are paying over scale and per diem. Not to mention the two nights a week of class.

Like you, I did my 5 years and it is really starting to pay off. Hope it lasts.

 

[Hedge774]

Everyone seems to have a very good consensus, here. Working with your hands is quickly going the way of the buffalo. One thing that all skilled trades must have, like it or not, is the dreaded "Safety". Insurance companies aren't going anywhere and neither are vampires (I mean lawyers). Safety Guys are a necessary evil in all trades now. With a working knowledge of industry / construction, a few OSHA classes taken on line will earn you at least $45/Hr. plus overtime. I'm paying people with MUCH less experience than you that in Atlanta. I started in the field and worked my up to Corp Director. However, I could make more if I went back into the field. Anyhoo, please feel free to DM me if I can help in any way! Good Luck, God Bless!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Hedge, that’s a great idea. A safety professional is mandatory on many job sites.

You can take the OSHA courses and also get a safety certification for a specific field.

 

[Hedge774]

Try www.Clicksafety.com

 

[LimbNoMo]

I’m in DFW. The construction company I work for requires an OSHA 30, 510 and 511. You only have to have one of the 500s to start, but have to complete the other in 6 months. $45 an hour is probably high for a safety guy in Oklahoma. Expect about $28 and maybe a little less, especially starting out. Usually that is offset by all the OT you can handle.

 

[fourfive8]

I’ve known quite a few Okies over the years and worked with a few. Good, down to earth people. I wouldn’t hesitate to start there in some work, then explore options as you get to know the people and area and even surrounding states. It is true fly over country, overlooked and even looked down upon by the MSM media that’s ego centered on both coasts. Pay no attention to that.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Become a Park Ranger, son. You won’t regret it. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University Of London in 1967 and my postgraduate degree in Principles Of Forestry from the University Of Peshawar in 1970 before becoming a career forest officer. I never regretted a moment of it.

Besides, forest officers are handsome. I mean… look at me !
View attachment 801309

Sadly, that was then, this is now. A different world. Read my post about how difficult it is to break into that field in the US. Employment with the federal govt (e.g Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, Corps of Engineers, etc) is essentially impossible for non-citizen. Heck, even for citizens it's almost impossible these days. Anyway, the profession today is not nearly as glamorous as it was back in our day. State agencies are just as difficult to break into. Highly qualified university graduates may spend years, even decades, working temporary positions (if they can find them!), usually on short term contract, before landing a permanent job that pays peanuts with few benefits. I encountered one temp with Montana FWP last fall who was driving a state vehicle that was falling apart. A dangerous wreck. But that's all they had for him. I wanted to call the local legislator and complain but the kid BEGGED me not to. They would just terminate his position ... and we needed his eyes and ears in the field. I just hope I did the right thing and he didn't get hurt or killed driving that jalopy. Sad state of affairs.

 

[Garrett89]

Not sure if it's already been said but working for yourself (while harder by far) is way more worthwhile. Creativity and discipline are key. I spent 11 years working an extremely secure factory job that paid fine, had a 401k, had a pension, paid vacation, the works. I hated it. I left that job and got my Merchant Mariner Credential aka a captain's license rated for 25 ton vessels or less. Got a couple more endorsements (radio, first aid, etc) now I work as a freelance captain in south Florida and Alaska running fishing trips and private yacht cruises through my own business that I took over from someone trying to go their own new way. All that to say, even in Oklahoma there are opportunities to work for yourself and your own name. Start your own business, bust your ass, long days and half the night with little sleep...basically what our parents and grandparents tried to sell us haha but do it for yourself not some other rich company. You might need to work a job while you work on it because you gotta support your family but that's what this country is all about. It's all up to you and nobody owes you or me or anyone else a damn thing. Luckily that cell phone in your pocket can access the entirety of human knowledge, I assume most of your hands and feet work well enough, and there's Cuban espresso. Good luck with it

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Sadly, that was then, this is now. A different world. Read my post about how difficult it is to break into that field in the US. Employment with the federal govt (e.g Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, Corps of Engineers, etc) is essentially impossible for non-citizen. Heck, even for citizens it's almost impossible these days. Anyway, the profession today is not nearly as glamorous as it was back in our day. State agencies are just as difficult to break into. Highly qualified university graduates may spend years, even decades, working temporary positions (if they can find them!), usually on short term contract, before landing a permanent job that pays peanuts with few benefits. I encountered one temp with Montana FWP last fall who was driving a state vehicle that was falling apart. A dangerous wreck. But that's all they had for him. I wanted to call the local legislator and complain but the kid BEGGED me not to. They would just terminate his position ... and we needed his eyes and ears in the field. I just hope I did the right thing and he didn't get hurt or killed driving that jalopy. Sad state of affairs.

I wish that I could disagree with you, but unfortunately you are right.

I came out of retirement in 2024 until February 2026 when the Interim Government appointed me as IGF (Inspector General Of Forests) of my country.

I was quite appalled by how much things had changed since I retired from government service in 2005.

Back in the 1970s, 1980s & 1990s… Foresters were kings of the forests we administrated over. The government basically told us “Get rid of Islamic terrorists, human traffickers, pirates, commercial poachers, timber thieves and drug smugglers. We don’t want to know how you do it. Just make sure that no bodies are found and that members of the press don’t know what you’re doing”.

I told my men “What are you all afraid of ? These are your forests. Here, you deal out justice. You have SLR rifles in your hands and the nearest piece of human civilization is hundreds of miles away. Nobody needs to know what you’re doing. Just stop the bastards who pose a threat to the flora, fauna & indigenous people. And every time you bring me proof, I’ll see to it that you’re proportionately rewarded for your actions”.

The Bengal Forest Act 1927 said “Any employee of the British Imperial Forest Service must exercise his full power to protect the forests of British Bengal as well as it’s flora, fauna & indigenous communities by any means necessary”.

And we did it. We were guardians of the forests, but we also lived a good life. Every once in a while, each forest station shot a deer for the pot and they didn’t need to buy meat rations for a week. Fishermen gifted us fish voluntarily for protecting them. As did honey collectors (who gifted us honey). Tribal people gifted us fruits, vegetables, chickens, goats and buffaloes for protecting their villages (and their girls) from Islamic terrorists.

The Khaki forester’s uniform yielded respect.

Today, things are so different. If a forester sees a human trafficker and shoots him to protect tribal girls… a police inquiry is launched. You have to run behind a magistrate for up to six months just so that they declare the shooting “Justified”. Otherwise you not only lose your job but also face jail time (and possibly execution).

If a forest guard shoots a deer for his forest station’s meat rations… God help you if a person happens to video it on their smartphone and upload it on social media. You’ll automatically get accused of abusing your power to “Kill innocent wildlife”

If we accept gifts from fishermen, honey collectors or tribal people… we are now accused of extortion.

Indeed, gone are the days.

 

[Scott CWO]

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.

Williston is not that way anymore. Actually not a bad place to live now. Great hunting and fishing nearby. My son and his wife were there for four years with Exxon Mobil. He then went to Midland, TX and now in Houston. They would go back to Williston. Upland birds north of town. Great waterfowl along the Missouri River and Yellowstone River. Good white-tailed deer hunting along the rivers and good mule deer just to the south in the Badlands. He killed this B&C white-tailed buck along the river.

 

[gcbailey]

The Wichita Wildlife Refuge is in SW Oklahoma. Your experience as a park ranger might be put to use there if that is job you enjoyed.

 

[Scott CWO]

In my same job, Id have much much better coverage in america then here. Most canadians always play the cost card when comparing, and in certain cases can be true. But for me and my family, it would be better off south of the 49th.

Had a Meniscus tear in my knee and was 6-9 month wait for MRI. after 3 months I opted to pay privately for one, couldnt continue living and working, not knowing whats wrong. Cost $800 bucks and half was covered by work insurance.

Took the mri to doc and another 3 months wait for surgery.

Knee is good, just a little loose or sloppy. ACL will go someday doc says, dont play football was his words haha.


I can only imagine how much better time wise it would of been if in the States

Last June, I got an MRI two days after injuring my knee.

 

[Scott CWO]

Lots of interesting answers and lots to think about. Thank you all immensely and feel free to keep suggestions coming.

As for salary expectations - enough to live on. We have the house here in Australia paid off (it was cheap..) but I’d like to keep that so if we move back it’s an option.

Oklahoma - my wife is an Okie, still a US citizen. Family are there. She’s given the last 10 years here, and she keeps bouncing around the idea of going back for awhile.

She’s a Registered Nurse and has spent the last 2 years as a Credentialed Diabetes Educator. Though she’s also considering a career change to possibly teaching. She didn’t enjoy being a nurse and in Australia it was just the pathway required to be a CDE.

Cheers, everyone, thanks so much.

Has your wife considered being a surgical nurse? My daughter works in the OR at an orthopedic surgical center and loves it. All surgeries are scheduled Monday through Friday with no weekends or evenings. She works hand in hand with the bone docs and loves it. She works four ten-hour shifts a week and has three days off every weekend. One of the best jobs in the medical field if you ask her. Demand is high.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wish that I could disagree with you, but unfortunately you are right.

I came out of retirement in 2024 until February 2026 when the Interim Government appointed me as IGF (Inspector General Of Forests) of my country.

I was quite appalled by how much things had changed since I retired from government service in 2005.

Back in the 1970s, 1980s & 1990s… Foresters were kings of the forests we administrated over. The government basically told us “Get rid of Islamic terrorists, human traffickers, pirates, commercial poachers, timber thieves and drug smugglers. We don’t want to know how you do it. Just make sure that no bodies are found and that members of the press don’t know what you’re doing”.

I told my men “What are you all afraid of ? These are your forests. Here, you deal out justice. You have SLR rifles in your hands and the nearest piece of human civilization is hundreds of miles away. Nobody needs to know what you’re doing. Just stop the bastards who pose a threat to the flora, fauna & indigenous people. And every time you bring me proof, I’ll see to it that you’re proportionately rewarded for your actions”.

The Bengal Forest Act 1927 said “Any employee of the British Imperial Forest Service must exercise his full power to protect the forests of British Bengal as well as it’s flora, fauna & indigenous communities by any means necessary”.

And we did it. We were guardians of the forests, but we also lived a good life. Every once in a while, each forest station shot a deer for the pot and they didn’t need to buy meat rations for a week. Fishermen gifted us fish voluntarily for protecting them. As did honey collectors (who gifted us honey). Tribal people gifted us fruits, vegetables, chickens, goats and buffaloes for protecting their villages (and their girls) from Islamic terrorists.

The Khaki forester’s uniform yielded respect.
View attachment 801368

Today, things are so different. If a forester sees a human trafficker and shoots him to protect tribal girls… a police inquiry is launched. You have to run behind a magistrate for up to six months just so that they declare the shooting “Justified”. Otherwise you not only lose your job but also face jail time (and possibly execution).

If a forest guard shoots a deer for his forest station’s meat rations… God help you if a person happens to video it on their smartphone and upload it on social media. You’ll automatically get accused of abusing your power to “Kill innocent wildlife”

If we accept gifts from fishermen, honey collectors or tribal people… we are now accused of extortion.

Indeed, gone are the days.

A bit of a derailment but here's my gratuity story. I was a ranger in Alaska and returning on the bus with a group of tourists after a field presentation/hike. A nice good looking gal sitting next to me struck up a conversation. She wanted to know about my family who were about to arrive for a visit. And she talked about herself a bit too, a very successful business owner who traveled a lot. We seemed to hit it off and before we got to the ranger station she dug her wallet out of the pack. "Here, this is for you. Buy your family a meal at the lodge." No, definitely can't take that. It's against the law (unless your a politician). She insisted but I was firm. We said our goodbyes and she walked to her float plane and I headed for my cabin. On the way I stopped in at the ranger station to access satellite connected computer and check my email. Some other staff were there. "Hey, Pat, I saw you with that dolly down at the plane. Don't forget you're married!" I told them not to worry. She was no threat. I joked about her trying to buy my affection with a tip. Then I reached into my pants pocket for cabin keys as it was just a few steps outside the door ... and I pulled out a hundred dollar bill! Well, that was embarrassing. "I have no idea how she managed to slip that hundred dollar bill into my front pants pocket but I wish she'd been more clumsy about it." I put it in the donation box in visitor center. Made me wonder what she really did for a living.