hey guys, i've recently been contemplating heading down south to get out of this minnesota winter, i've been up here for 12 years and 5 years in alaska before that, so i'm getting pretty sick of winter, anyways i'm interested in heading down to the dallas/ft worth area but i have no idea where to start for a job or anything, i've looked up housing and see that i need about $15 an hour at least to make a living, the only problem is i didnt have a bad *** degree in college, i'm currently attending school for high performance engine machining, not really sure if theres even any places around there that rebuild motors or anything, i've tried searching but all i find is other machinist things, that dont deal with engines (unless i'm reading wrong). another problem is i'll only be 20 when i decide to do this, i know it could make or break me, but i'm just kinda worried with the lack of a good degree to be able to make it down there, if anybody knows of any place where i can make decent money, with what i have to work with (not much i know lol) i would be greatly appreciative, i also have 2 years experience working on a railroad for a local mine up here, i was thinking of applying at bnsf down in ft worth but saw they arent really looking for track workers (what i did as a summer student up here) i've been searching for jobs for like the past week and all, i'm gonna keep looking but if anyone knows any info that could help my decision that would help me a bunch, sorry for writing the story on here but i figured what the hell might as well throw something up on here, thanks for the help in advance guys

 

If you knew someone here that you could stay with for a couple months to help get you settled and into a job, that would make the move a lot easier.

It's very hard to get into an entry level job if you're not in the area (as you can imagine).

I would apply to places like BNSF (which is in dowtown fort worth right?) -- even for entry level white collar work -- and Bell Helicopter. There are some light industrial places here, where a machinist could be useful. There are some engine workers, but not many big name or big shops, so you'll just have to sell yourself to the smaller shops. You might also talk to some of the guys here that work in the oil fields out by Ft. Worth (well mostly gas wells really). Hard work, but the pay is good.

Over the last few years, there's been an influx of companies from the west and east coast and a lot of them have entry level white collar stuff. Don't sell yourself short and only try and find blue collar stuff.

You could go to UTA (UT Arlington) and join their F-SAE team and learn to build and race mini-F1 cars.

I think you're making the right decision. The economy here is better, the women are better looking , and it's Texas, what's not to love (oh yea, 30 days of 100* degree heat in the summer).

 

as someone who came down here from michigan (lived there 23 years), i can assure you it is nice

there are a huge assortment of various industries, and jobs of all types, you just have to look. i think your best bet for making great money without a college degree is the oil industry. ask george if he needs any help on his rig. supersilverMR i think it his screen name. i know he always needs people to work for him because 1) the work is difficult 2)requires travelling around north texas 3)you wake up early. however his guys are making more then i do with an engineering degree.

bell helicopter just laid off a bunch of people at the plant in euless i think it is?

try posting in www.ricekiller.com they have a jobs wanted forum and they have a wide variety of people there from all over DFW that might be able to help as well.

 

Mechanical will do fine here. Check out some of the oil machinery type companies. They are very busy and BNSF is a great suggestion from Goofy Grin.

You could always join the army and be stationed where I'm at in central texas. You would be surprised at how good a Soldier has it these days. Full benefits, big bonuses, four day weekends every month, etc. I keep telling myself I'm going to get out, but I don't miss my life in the corporate world.


Oh, KBR is always looking for contractors to go overseas...

 

thanks for the responses guys, i was really looking into the oil business, i tried searching for a job in the internet but it was such i huge pain i figured i'd come to you guys. and so far it seems to be the right move, i wouldnt mind waking up early for the oil fields, i woke up at about 3:50 am every day this summer, so i get accustomed to it, i dont mind the blue collar work either it keeps me interested, i kinda looked into doing IT but i dont really know much about what they do or anything. thanks for the help guys keep it coming.

 

try the local evo club, NTEC!

 

look in every city website!!! that how I get my job. Also if u are close to DFW area let me know they are looking for new people at my work!

 

Research BJ Colitech or BJ Services. Thats where my bestfriend (Jason Taylor) works, they service oil and gas wells. Ask for Jerry Patton, 940-328-7628. Jason and Jerry will be in Houston all of next week so reaching them on the phone might be difficult, but Jason will mention to Jerry about you looking for a job. PM me if you want Jason's number directly.

A lot of oil and gas well jobs are hiring around Springfield TX and Wheatherford TX. I would research those cities for jobs along with BJ Coiltech or Services. (same company, just not 100% sure of the name)

 

thanks guys, i'll keep checking into that. i wish may was here already so i could be done with schooling. is there many hockey players around there? lol coming from mn that would be a huge plus to be able to mess around during some free time, well that and motocross

 

where do you work at?

 

Hockey is actually huge here and there are quite a few rec leagues around here.

 

i thought it might have some following down there, i mean you guys do have the dallas stars, i played against matt niskanen in high school its always kinda sweet watching the stars on tv seeing him playing and knowing i was on the same ice as he was, he also owes me a shin pad i blocked one of his shots and it cracked my shin pad so if anybody gets an autograph from him let him know i'm lookin....... lol jk

 

^+1 Defintly message george, but you better be prepared to work hard, but the rewards are big! Its oil!

 

i pm'd him thanks again

 

+1 one georges rig job, we've been talking and im contemplating that instead of school this next semester while i wait on my hepb shot series to be a Paramedic with EMTB EMSP1 and 2.

btw kevin, you have a pm regarding oil cooler LOL