What kind of gun-related career would you recommend? I need a college major!
- Thread starter Precision
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+1 on Engineering is hard. A buddy of mine swapped majors because he couldn't hack it, and is now getting a generic business degree.
If you can hack the engineering, more power to you.
+1 Sales and Marketing.
I have a maintenance background via the USAF, and work Inventory Control in the maintenance department for a major international corporation (you've probably heard of Coca-Cola). With my background, I could work inventory control for any major manufacturing facility, including the firearms industry. Heck, I could even be the guy reading RFID chips at Chiappa's facility in Italy
Anyway, there are dozens of ways to get into the firearms industry, but very few jobs in the industry that would allow you to design and test the weapons.
To me, firearms are a hobby, and I have no interest in turning a hobby into a living. Get an education, get a decent job and keep firearms as a hobby. Coming from a guy who tried to turn a hobby into a job and failed.
If you can hack the engineering, more power to you.
+1 Sales and Marketing.
I have a maintenance background via the USAF, and work Inventory Control in the maintenance department for a major international corporation (you've probably heard of Coca-Cola). With my background, I could work inventory control for any major manufacturing facility, including the firearms industry. Heck, I could even be the guy reading RFID chips at Chiappa's facility in Italy
Anyway, there are dozens of ways to get into the firearms industry, but very few jobs in the industry that would allow you to design and test the weapons.
To me, firearms are a hobby, and I have no interest in turning a hobby into a living. Get an education, get a decent job and keep firearms as a hobby. Coming from a guy who tried to turn a hobby into a job and failed.
Precision
member
Thank you!
Man, I can't tell you enough how grateful I am for all of your replies. I will take everything you gentlemen have said into account as I plan out my future career. Maybe this industry isn't for me.... I suppose time will tell. You guys rock!!!
Man, I can't tell you enough how grateful I am for all of your replies. I will take everything you gentlemen have said into account as I plan out my future career. Maybe this industry isn't for me.... I suppose time will tell. You guys rock!!!
Educational Possibilities
First off, you should figure out what your strengths are and what you want to do with guns before you run off to a college and waste a TON of money. Do you want to design them, manufacture them, sell them, smith them, or shoot them? Figure that out, make sure you think you can do it, and your educational path, which should be a means to an end, will be much clearer.
I got a degree in mechanical engineering but, as many have pointed out, you really need to be suited for it (math & science type). I was also in the Ordnance Corps in the Army where we maintained weapons (big and small) as part of the job, and it's a great way to pay for school--if you don't get maimed or killed by an IED. I suppose law enforcement, which I probably missed above, might be another option.
My son, who also loves guns, left computer programming (which he quickly learned to hate) at RIT his freshman year to pursue a BS in "Global Security and Intelligence" at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ (which happens to be in the same town with at least two gun manufacturing plants). He loved the school, he loved the area, and he's received a number of exciting offers since graduating this past May. That might be another option.
First off, you should figure out what your strengths are and what you want to do with guns before you run off to a college and waste a TON of money. Do you want to design them, manufacture them, sell them, smith them, or shoot them? Figure that out, make sure you think you can do it, and your educational path, which should be a means to an end, will be much clearer.
I got a degree in mechanical engineering but, as many have pointed out, you really need to be suited for it (math & science type). I was also in the Ordnance Corps in the Army where we maintained weapons (big and small) as part of the job, and it's a great way to pay for school--if you don't get maimed or killed by an IED. I suppose law enforcement, which I probably missed above, might be another option.
My son, who also loves guns, left computer programming (which he quickly learned to hate) at RIT his freshman year to pursue a BS in "Global Security and Intelligence" at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ (which happens to be in the same town with at least two gun manufacturing plants). He loved the school, he loved the area, and he's received a number of exciting offers since graduating this past May. That might be another option.
You got a lot of good advice in this thread. I'll add a little more. I reread your initial post and have some questions.
I was daydreaming today about how awesome it would be if I was a professional feral hog sharpshooter, the guy that people call when they have a serious infestation. .458 SOCOM FTW
Not trying to burst your bubble but do you really think your great mind would be satisfied shooting hogs for a living for the next 40-45 years?
But if there's one thing I don't think I'd excel at, it's going the military/LE route to learn more about firearms. I don't think I'm cut out for that, and as much as I respect and appreciate our men and women in uniform (that would be A LOT), I think I can benefit our country a lot more effectively with my brain. I'm just not cut out for that, mentally or physically.
You say you don't feel cut out for the military or LE. Okay that's fine. You say you respect them alot but go on to imply they don't use their brains? You did say you can benefit the country more effectively with your brain. That's kind of insulting. Your reason for not going into the military sounds a lot like Bill Clinton's.
If that's not what you meant you kind of need to word it differently
I was daydreaming today about how awesome it would be if I was a professional feral hog sharpshooter, the guy that people call when they have a serious infestation. .458 SOCOM FTW
Not trying to burst your bubble but do you really think your great mind would be satisfied shooting hogs for a living for the next 40-45 years?
But if there's one thing I don't think I'd excel at, it's going the military/LE route to learn more about firearms. I don't think I'm cut out for that, and as much as I respect and appreciate our men and women in uniform (that would be A LOT), I think I can benefit our country a lot more effectively with my brain. I'm just not cut out for that, mentally or physically.
You say you don't feel cut out for the military or LE. Okay that's fine. You say you respect them alot but go on to imply they don't use their brains? You did say you can benefit the country more effectively with your brain. That's kind of insulting. Your reason for not going into the military sounds a lot like Bill Clinton's.
If that's not what you meant you kind of need to word it differently
Precision
member
oh man, that wasn't intentional AT ALL dude, i swear. I simply meant that even though I highly respect our troops, I'm not cut out for it for several reasons and that maybe something a little more mathematical was my fate. Something a little less on the front lines, more in the background. I in no way meant that I'm smarter than anyone in the military, far from it. I just meant that I would do better in an office-ish setting as opposed to a combat environment.
to Everything there is a Season
Quote:
"Because of my background and my extremely anti-gun family, I have had zero shooting experience. I've barely even owned an airsoft gun. But I know more about guns than anyone in my school! Honest!"
Conclusion: You are a 17 yo who loves guns. But you've never shot one, hunted with one, competed with one, maintained one. In other words you are passionate about the idea of guns, without having a single experience other than maybe looking at them in stores, online, or in movies. You are in love with some idea you have, based on nil experience, of what guns are about. This may sound harsh, but you really do not know what you love.
The good news is you have one year left in HS to get some shooting under your belt.
Use this time to develop a sense of what guns are and what their uses can be. Talk with other shooters at the range. Seek out professionals in the gun field and ask them about their career progression. Then you'll have a sounder basis for 'knowing'. To get a more general career sense, see your school counsellor and take a bunch of aptitude and personality tests.
Without a modicum of gun knowledge, you risk a very narrowly focused career based on a hunch or short-term passion. Meaning a dead end. This is usually (but not always) a poor basis for a major decision. At 17, the real you is a discovery that still lies ahead.
Don't believe me? What were you actively into 5 years ago -2 years ago even- that you said to yourself "I want to do this (e.g. skateboarding) for the rest of my life"? Now, are you still into that or into something new? Do you still listen to the music you were passionate about as a 13 yo?
Mark these words which are not mine: "To Everything there is a Season."
The advice from others to go into engineering or business or marketing is good advice as such skills are transferable to most areas of human endeavour. If you lose interest in guns 10 years from now, you'll be able to recycle your skills into your next passion.
A recyclable skillset is what will allow you to feed all the yet-to-be-discovered passions that lay ahead.
Edit - Unsolicited advice:
Don't diss the place that you are from, or employers that you have had. Such behaviour shows immaturity and disrespect. California is harsh on guns but it has one of the best climates and most interesting geology/ecology in the whole USA. Remember, there are a lot more 'grey' areas in Life than 'black and white' ones.
Quote:
"Because of my background and my extremely anti-gun family, I have had zero shooting experience. I've barely even owned an airsoft gun. But I know more about guns than anyone in my school! Honest!"
Conclusion: You are a 17 yo who loves guns. But you've never shot one, hunted with one, competed with one, maintained one. In other words you are passionate about the idea of guns, without having a single experience other than maybe looking at them in stores, online, or in movies. You are in love with some idea you have, based on nil experience, of what guns are about. This may sound harsh, but you really do not know what you love.
The good news is you have one year left in HS to get some shooting under your belt.
Use this time to develop a sense of what guns are and what their uses can be. Talk with other shooters at the range. Seek out professionals in the gun field and ask them about their career progression. Then you'll have a sounder basis for 'knowing'. To get a more general career sense, see your school counsellor and take a bunch of aptitude and personality tests.
Without a modicum of gun knowledge, you risk a very narrowly focused career based on a hunch or short-term passion. Meaning a dead end. This is usually (but not always) a poor basis for a major decision. At 17, the real you is a discovery that still lies ahead.
Don't believe me? What were you actively into 5 years ago -2 years ago even- that you said to yourself "I want to do this (e.g. skateboarding) for the rest of my life"? Now, are you still into that or into something new? Do you still listen to the music you were passionate about as a 13 yo?
Mark these words which are not mine: "To Everything there is a Season."
The advice from others to go into engineering or business or marketing is good advice as such skills are transferable to most areas of human endeavour. If you lose interest in guns 10 years from now, you'll be able to recycle your skills into your next passion.
A recyclable skillset is what will allow you to feed all the yet-to-be-discovered passions that lay ahead.
Edit - Unsolicited advice:
Don't diss the place that you are from, or employers that you have had. Such behaviour shows immaturity and disrespect. California is harsh on guns but it has one of the best climates and most interesting geology/ecology in the whole USA. Remember, there are a lot more 'grey' areas in Life than 'black and white' ones.
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I'm not cut out for it for several reasons and that maybe something a little more mathematical was my fate. Something a little less on the front lines, more in the background. I in no way meant that I'm smarter than anyone in the military, far from it. I just meant that I would do better in an office-ish setting as opposed to a combat environment.
twofifty is giving very good advice. You have this passion for guns and seem to desire to be a pro hog hunter to an engineer with a masters. That's a pretty wide span in the skill set department. Keep in mind most jobs in the gun industry have nothing to do with handling guns on a daily basis.
I do have another suggestion that will give you time to think about what you would really want to do, chances for more travel, pay for your college education, and make decent money for a guy with a HS diploma. All of this with a skill you already possess. Enlist in one of the Armed Forces for military band.
You'll need to audition before they guarantee you anything. You will have to go through basic training like everyone else, although at one time the Marine Band were allowing people to join and just play in the band. If you want to do more shooting and combat related training in basic go for the Army or Marines. If you don't want to do too much of that go Air Force or Navy. At different times some of the services would cross train you as a medic or truck driver but the last time an Army Band was used in combat was either TET 1968 or the Battle of the Bulge in WWII IIRC.
The people you will play with will be talented HS grads like you or even someone with a Master's in Music Ed that's there because of the poor job market.You'll clear about over $1000 a month to start and all you need to pay for is you laundry as you'll have free medical and dental, housing, and eats. That grand a month would be pocket money. That's more than most people have with a HS diploma. You can start your education while you're in, knocking out all those core courses like English, Math, etc. More importantly time to think about what you'd really like to do.
I know a guy who was a E5 and got out after 5 years recently. He joined the National Guard and is going to a state school so his tuition is paid for by them. His GI Bill and allowances net him about $4000 a month. 4 grand a month for going to school. He'll be hard pressed to make that when he graduates.
You say you're not cut out physically and mentally to be a combat soldier. I don't know if you're a small guy but Audie Murphy was only 5-5 and 110 lbs when he got in the Army but he was determined to be a combat soldier. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and at least a couple of every other valor decoration and was a Captain Company Commander when he was 20. I'd say he did pretty good.
But if combat soldier is not your cup of tea that's fine.
Just something to think about.
twofifty is giving very good advice. You have this passion for guns and seem to desire to be a pro hog hunter to an engineer with a masters. That's a pretty wide span in the skill set department. Keep in mind most jobs in the gun industry have nothing to do with handling guns on a daily basis.
I do have another suggestion that will give you time to think about what you would really want to do, chances for more travel, pay for your college education, and make decent money for a guy with a HS diploma. All of this with a skill you already possess. Enlist in one of the Armed Forces for military band.
You'll need to audition before they guarantee you anything. You will have to go through basic training like everyone else, although at one time the Marine Band were allowing people to join and just play in the band. If you want to do more shooting and combat related training in basic go for the Army or Marines. If you don't want to do too much of that go Air Force or Navy. At different times some of the services would cross train you as a medic or truck driver but the last time an Army Band was used in combat was either TET 1968 or the Battle of the Bulge in WWII IIRC.
The people you will play with will be talented HS grads like you or even someone with a Master's in Music Ed that's there because of the poor job market.You'll clear about over $1000 a month to start and all you need to pay for is you laundry as you'll have free medical and dental, housing, and eats. That grand a month would be pocket money. That's more than most people have with a HS diploma. You can start your education while you're in, knocking out all those core courses like English, Math, etc. More importantly time to think about what you'd really like to do.
I know a guy who was a E5 and got out after 5 years recently. He joined the National Guard and is going to a state school so his tuition is paid for by them. His GI Bill and allowances net him about $4000 a month. 4 grand a month for going to school. He'll be hard pressed to make that when he graduates.
You say you're not cut out physically and mentally to be a combat soldier. I don't know if you're a small guy but Audie Murphy was only 5-5 and 110 lbs when he got in the Army but he was determined to be a combat soldier. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and at least a couple of every other valor decoration and was a Captain Company Commander when he was 20. I'd say he did pretty good.
But if combat soldier is not your cup of tea that's fine.
Just something to think about.
brotus2
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Trauma surgeon in Detroit.
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coloradokevin
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Law enforcement? Not exactly gun related, but I came into this career after a career in banking and another career in management... I get as much free shooting time on our range as I want, and I get to shoot while I'm being paid. Not terrible, really.
One of our range officers is a good friend of mine. I applied for a position at our range a few years ago, and he had a heart-to-heart with me, that may or may not hold true. He asked me if I liked to shoot a lot, I said "of course!". His reply kind of surprised me, but he said something to the effect of "then don't come work down here. I used to love shooting with all of my free time, now I see it as work and I don't enjoy it nearly as much".
To each their own on that opinion, but keep in mind that you can always take the approach of finding a non-gun career that pays you well enough, and gives you enough time off to enjoy your gun hobby
One of our range officers is a good friend of mine. I applied for a position at our range a few years ago, and he had a heart-to-heart with me, that may or may not hold true. He asked me if I liked to shoot a lot, I said "of course!". His reply kind of surprised me, but he said something to the effect of "then don't come work down here. I used to love shooting with all of my free time, now I see it as work and I don't enjoy it nearly as much".
To each their own on that opinion, but keep in mind that you can always take the approach of finding a non-gun career that pays you well enough, and gives you enough time off to enjoy your gun hobby
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