What kind of gun-related career would you recommend? I need a college major!
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
What he said. Find something you are good at that you can make money doing. Keep guns and shooting fun, do it in your spare time. I am more passionate about guns, shooting and hunting than any other aspect of my life, other than my wife. I am grateful every day that I have a completely unrelated job that I am good at and pays well. Very well. I'm a firm believer that the best way to take the fun out of anything is to try to make money at it.
Get a good education. Study while the idiots are partying. In ten years you won't look back and wish you partied more, you'll wish you studied harder.
beatledog7
Member
+1 on what Kliegl said. Rare indeed is the one who can excel at work while going to school or excel at school while working. Something always gets short shrift.
And it bears noting that whether one chooses full-time work or full-time school, a full-time romance will get in the way. Best save that for after.
And it bears noting that whether one chooses full-time work or full-time school, a full-time romance will get in the way. Best save that for after.
Kind of Blued
Member
I can identify with this. I'm finally finishing college this semester after seven years because I kept trying to turn my hobbies into majors/careers; those being firearms and jazz (and cycling and craft beer which pushed me to relocate to Colorado).
Point being, the best advice I could give is to consider a VERSATILE major that will allow you many possible careers that will allow you to live wherever you want, and enjoy firearms as a hobby once you've found your place on the map.
Point being, the best advice I could give is to consider a VERSATILE major that will allow you many possible careers that will allow you to live wherever you want, and enjoy firearms as a hobby once you've found your place on the map.
What I am really saying is, pick a field that is necessary for any and all businesses. Then add to that a deep pool of knowledge that a gun manufacturer, distributor, retailer (whatever) would find useful.
What he said. Find something you are good at that you can make money doing. Keep guns and shooting fun, do it in your spare time.
These gentlemen and others have the right idea.
If you research many of the gun industry ideas some advocate you find many obstacles. For example:
Become a FFL dealer- you have several hundred thousand dollars for start up costs. That's what you need to start a gunshop. Kitchen table FFLs don't make much money and they would still need a substantial investment to make really good money.
Become a Gunsmith- one source I found says gunsmiths start out at 24-51K a year and make 35K-60K after 20 years. Keep in mind the high end of these figures would be in high cost areas. You can make more in many other jobs that don't require near as many skills.
Go into Special Operations and open a school-many a former Special Forces, SEAL, or SAS operator has tried this and failed. Not because they lack the skills or the teaching ability but because they lack the business sense.
If this bursts your bubble it is reality. I'm not saying work at something you don't like.
What he said. Find something you are good at that you can make money doing. Keep guns and shooting fun, do it in your spare time.
These gentlemen and others have the right idea.
If you research many of the gun industry ideas some advocate you find many obstacles. For example:
Become a FFL dealer- you have several hundred thousand dollars for start up costs. That's what you need to start a gunshop. Kitchen table FFLs don't make much money and they would still need a substantial investment to make really good money.
Become a Gunsmith- one source I found says gunsmiths start out at 24-51K a year and make 35K-60K after 20 years. Keep in mind the high end of these figures would be in high cost areas. You can make more in many other jobs that don't require near as many skills.
Go into Special Operations and open a school-many a former Special Forces, SEAL, or SAS operator has tried this and failed. Not because they lack the skills or the teaching ability but because they lack the business sense.
If this bursts your bubble it is reality. I'm not saying work at something you don't like.
Jesse Heywood
Member
One of the major problems with today's education system is the standard that you have to have a college degree to do anything that pays more than minimum wage. A college degree won't help if you are going to be a mechanic, machinist or painter. Here in the plains junior colleges have take the lead on technical training. The core classes needed for the first 2 years of college are offered, and they are just as good and ill transfer to the university, should you decide to pursue a degree. They do a better job of career advisement, and the cost is far less than the universities. Another option for you to consider.
As for myself, when I started college I didn't know what I wanted to do. Changed my major several times. Ended up with 190 hours before I got a degree at the age of 31. It gets very expensive if you change horses midstream. One young friend was going for a degree in electrical engineering. After 3 years he decided he made the wrong choice, went to a junior college and went to work operating trains.
As for myself, when I started college I didn't know what I wanted to do. Changed my major several times. Ended up with 190 hours before I got a degree at the age of 31. It gets very expensive if you change horses midstream. One young friend was going for a degree in electrical engineering. After 3 years he decided he made the wrong choice, went to a junior college and went to work operating trains.
wacki
Member
If you are going to go to College to figure out what you want to do then spend the first year or two in community college (as it's much cheaper) and then transfer to a major University later on (just make sure they accept the transfer credits). This will allow you to take classes and explore. Just remember that college really isn't anything like the real world. Apprenticeships are normally best for that. So see if can shadow someone in a profession you are interested in.
I see a few routes for you.
1) Get a job that pays a ton while allowing you to have lots of recreational time (e.g. dentistry, chiropractor, etc)
2) Law (lots of money for guns and you can defend people who got in trouble with their guns, just be careful as law school is expensive and job prospects are dismal right now)
3) Engineering - this is ideal. You can design big cannons or missiles for the military, work anywhere (like a gun friendly state) and have enough money to buy lots of guns. Electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering are all good.
Also, college is very expensive. Don't let student loan debt take over your life (I learned the hard way). University guidance counselors are notorious for giving bad advice. Try to talk to people in the private industry as much as possible. If you can go out in the working world for a year or two after you graduate before getting a masters. Some employers will pay for it. Trust me when I say that is a very nice benefit.
I see a few routes for you.
1) Get a job that pays a ton while allowing you to have lots of recreational time (e.g. dentistry, chiropractor, etc)
2) Law (lots of money for guns and you can defend people who got in trouble with their guns, just be careful as law school is expensive and job prospects are dismal right now)
3) Engineering - this is ideal. You can design big cannons or missiles for the military, work anywhere (like a gun friendly state) and have enough money to buy lots of guns. Electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering are all good.
Also, college is very expensive. Don't let student loan debt take over your life (I learned the hard way). University guidance counselors are notorious for giving bad advice. Try to talk to people in the private industry as much as possible. If you can go out in the working world for a year or two after you graduate before getting a masters. Some employers will pay for it. Trust me when I say that is a very nice benefit.
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A contrarian view perhaps, but to mangle a quote from Terminator, the only future we have is the future we make. My 9th grade teacher spent a lot of time explaining to me that there was no such profession as "gun." I believe I have pretty thoroughly proven her wrong.
After dropping out of college, where I was a dean's list student in physics and math, I based my haphazard career -- journalist, author, management consultant, war correspondent, professional adventurer, late-comer to television, diversified bum -- on a short story by Robert Heinlein ("We Also Walk Dogs") and a quote from a Jefferson Starship song: "People with a clever plan can assume the role of the mighty..."
In the end, all we can do is roll the dice.
Michael Bane
After dropping out of college, where I was a dean's list student in physics and math, I based my haphazard career -- journalist, author, management consultant, war correspondent, professional adventurer, late-comer to television, diversified bum -- on a short story by Robert Heinlein ("We Also Walk Dogs") and a quote from a Jefferson Starship song: "People with a clever plan can assume the role of the mighty..."
In the end, all we can do is roll the dice.
Michael Bane
azmjs
member
If you really want a career producing weapons, you need to get a mechanical or chemical engineering degree.
gbw
Member
ROTC. Make a career as an officer in the armed forces. Unless you're miraculously lucky as a civilian in the work force, whatever your degree(s), this is absolutely the best deal going. Plus they'll pay for your schooling. Better pay than civilian by and large. Immeasurably better benefits. If you're good you'll wind up in the field you want and love eventually. The usual engineering or material science degrees, although it isn't so important in the military. Good luck, whatever you do be sure it's something you can put your heart in for the long term.
Iramo94
Member
Popular Science recently did a column on the five biggest jobs of the future. They were software design, petro engineering, chemical engineering, and I cannot remember the last two. I would say either of the engineering degrees would do just fine. Also, I would add that you need to concentrate on saving. It is miraculous what banks can do for your money. Ten thousand dollars in your twenties turns into a retirement in your forties. Live fifteen percent below your means for five years, and your gun obsession will be well fed for decades to come.
BA/UU/R
BA/UU/R
Grousefeather
Member
career
Well, at your age, I would consider joining the military. First, it would get you out of your anti surroundings, and get you around firearms. Also, they have a education program to pay for college. It would also be a steping stone for a civ govt related profession, such as CIA, Homeland security, where you would be around firearms as well.
Well, at your age, I would consider joining the military. First, it would get you out of your anti surroundings, and get you around firearms. Also, they have a education program to pay for college. It would also be a steping stone for a civ govt related profession, such as CIA, Homeland security, where you would be around firearms as well.
Charleo0192
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Not sure if someone has said this, but check into the Army Natick Center. Most jobs are civilian, so you wouldn't be required to enlist. All you'd really have to do is pass background/security checks (whatever you want to call them) depending on what you'll be doing and you're good to go.
I'm sure i make it sound easy and I've never taken that route, but it's a great way to help the military (without joining), be involved in the creation of new firearms (if that's the part of NATICK you work with), and get to be around your passion everyday.
I'm sure i make it sound easy and I've never taken that route, but it's a great way to help the military (without joining), be involved in the creation of new firearms (if that's the part of NATICK you work with), and get to be around your passion everyday.
Mike OTDP
Member
Kliegl isn't joking. Engineering is a hard, hard profession. Survival requires the deepest committment - you'll spend five years studying 80 hours/week earning that degree. But the career possibilities are tremendous.
Have you taken any test that show what you are good at?
There are tests that show what you would be good at in various jobs. I would start there. Sometimes on paper or in your mind it sounds good but you would suck at it and hate life.
This is the reason people change majors or drop out of college. I wanted to be a machinist. Well turns out I couldn't stand in one place for 8+ hours a day. I was too slow at making things (perfectionist) though I did have the aptitude for it. I just wasn't happy with it.
Start with the Briggs Myers test and see what you get.
Turns out, I would be good at sales and interacting with people. If I would have known that back in high school no telling where I would be today.
I love sales and I love working with people.....
There are tests that show what you would be good at in various jobs. I would start there. Sometimes on paper or in your mind it sounds good but you would suck at it and hate life.
This is the reason people change majors or drop out of college. I wanted to be a machinist. Well turns out I couldn't stand in one place for 8+ hours a day. I was too slow at making things (perfectionist) though I did have the aptitude for it. I just wasn't happy with it.
Start with the Briggs Myers test and see what you get.
Turns out, I would be good at sales and interacting with people. If I would have known that back in high school no telling where I would be today.
I love sales and I love working with people.....
wacki
Member
Learning from other peopls mistakes is essential
mortablunt
Member
Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics.
atomchaser
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Get a degree in a field with a large market and good future prospects and regards guns as a hobby. Once you are sucessful at your career you can consider other options. Don't get yourself into a bunch of debt going to school. Nothing wrong with starting out with community college/junior college and state universities. Once you are in the work force where you went to school doesn't mean much. Your job accomplishments, skills and work ethic are much more important to a potential employer. Once you start your professional work career, get into the habit of saving a good bit of your pay right of the bat. Most of all be patient and take a long term perspective. Immediate gratification is the enemy of sucess.
Go watch "Sons of Guns", now ask yourself if you would like to work with those guys for a career?
Just because shooting is a passion doesn't make it a good career. Have you researched how much you will earn? How long the education is?
You can go to school for anything. Get something that is interesting and pays well. Life is long so, make the right choices for your future and your families.
You can always go shooting with your buddies on the weekends.
Cards81fan
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+1 on this. Also, Oklahoma State Institute of Technology in Okmulgee has a Watchmaking and Microtechnology associate's degree that can be applied to firearms gunsmithing. A notable alumnus of that program is one Bill Wilson.
I got to take a tour of Daniel Defense, and their designs are done by a few folks on CAD machines, prototypes are "printed" on a 3D printer so you can get a plastic creation to play with in the short term, finalized designs are kicked out to specialized half-million dollar machines, and assembly is done by manual labor types.
I think the folks doing marketing/management actually do better; the owner is an engineer, but IIRC it's in chemical engineering or structural engineering -- not mechanical engineering.
I'd go business personally -- take some classes and decide on marketing/finance/accounting/something else based on what you enjoy and what you think will place you in the kind of job you want. Most of the folks at SHOT (the annual show you'd love) are marketing types, which is to be expected as they're acting in a sales role.
The big thing I'd keep in mind is that the economy is undergoing some serious structural changes right now, and whatever job you pick needs to be one that's forward looking. I like business, but then I just got my MBA so either I'm biased or I put my money where my mouth is after being a small business owner for over a decade.
I think the folks doing marketing/management actually do better; the owner is an engineer, but IIRC it's in chemical engineering or structural engineering -- not mechanical engineering.
I'd go business personally -- take some classes and decide on marketing/finance/accounting/something else based on what you enjoy and what you think will place you in the kind of job you want. Most of the folks at SHOT (the annual show you'd love) are marketing types, which is to be expected as they're acting in a sales role.
The big thing I'd keep in mind is that the economy is undergoing some serious structural changes right now, and whatever job you pick needs to be one that's forward looking. I like business, but then I just got my MBA so either I'm biased or I put my money where my mouth is after being a small business owner for over a decade.
oneounceload
member
Maybe I missed it, but it seemed no one has mentioned Sales and Marketing - a degree that can be used in ANY arena as every product needs to be marketed and sold. Those SHOT shows and other industry conventions are ALL Sales and Marketing folks. I have known a few who were regional sales reps for gun companies - they get to travel with a trunk of guns and go to clubs, do demonstrations, and try to book wholesale orders
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