Hi,my parents divorced 3 years ago and I haven’t learned nothing useful from them.Back than I was at a naval college and I wanted to graduate but I didn’t have any skills to promote the 2nd year because I had no idea what electronic components do and how you place them in a PCB.
I’m thinking of trying a trade job because the only friend I had is well the internet.Can someone teach you plumbing/electricity and other trades if you had no guidance in this field?At the moment I have a medical scholarship because of my(if i write this please don’t judge me or critisize as I’m in a tough spot and I don’t know how to act)schizophrenia.I have 0 education right now and my father supports me by sending an allowance because I’m a student.
I hope you can give me a lot of advices that would help me get training in this world.Can you use the internet as a source of winsdom if you have 0 teachers?I mean that is the only piece of information which I own.I have no other sources.
I have 0 support from my parents and I don’t want to end up as a unqualified worker.
You have a medical scholorship? How about training for an EMT? That plus your time in the military might get you in the door of say a fire department. Something like that?
Just kinda spitballin here.
Many don’t know WHAT they want to do. So don’t beat yourself about that. The Straight Dope if FULL of very experienced folks from all walks of life. We will listen.
Which is it?
@Toxylon That’s financial support not educational support.This is what I miss!
A medical scholarship is great, but can you really work in that career/profession if you have schizophrenia?
If you have a high school education, you can apply for apprenticeships in any number of trades. Of course, if you have schizophrenia and it is suboptimally treated, that would likely be a priority.
I have no idea what you mean by a medical scholarship because of your schizophrenia. I’d suggest seeking guidance counselors at your school - or talking with friends who seem to have it together - might be more useful than a post to an anonymous forum.
If you were in naval college (I’m not sure what that is either) 3 years ago when your parents divorced, it sounds as though you are in your young 20s. Maybe instead of continuing at school towards what profession you don’t know, maybe you ought to take some time off from school, get a job, and try to figure out what you want to do.
You minimize your parents’ involvement, but your dad seems to care enough at least to keep sending you $. You may not think that is enough, but don’t say it is nothing. If they are not complete neer do wells and reprobates, they might have some advice to offer you. Have you tried to discuss these things with them?
Good luck.
I don’t know where you live, but here in Boston the building trades unions (electricians, carpenters, sheet metal, etc) are very strong and from what friends there tell me they can’t get enough apprentices.
Within 4 years you’ll be at full scale, making good money, great benefits, and a good old fashioned pension plan. And if you choose one that’s in demand by homeowners (ie electrician) you’ll always have plenty of side work.
Same here in the Chicago area.
Will be interesting to hear more from the OP, if he is able to better explain his situation, resources, and aspirations. Now, if the issue is that he finds himself in his 20s with no aspirations, and no clue of what he wants to do and how to get there, that may be a problem beyond the reach of a message board. Also, what pursuits are reasonably attainable given his specific mental health issues.
I have a friend who’s a Sprinkler Fitter (think plumber specialized in fire suppression sprinklers). He makes a $100k base and every Saturday he wants at time and a half.
When you consider no college debt and you’re at scale when the college boys are graduating into $50k jobs? Not bad at all.