Recommended skills/careers?

[kingsnake]

Hello....<br /><br />Can anyone recommend possible skills and jobs that are conducive to mobile living?&nbsp;<br /><br />I don't need too much. I'd be happy living quite frugally, just looking for ways to support myself and my daughter. She will primarily be living with her mother. I just want to be able to help as much as possible.<br /><br />I am going back to school soon. Looking at Welding as a possibility. Maybe spend a year getting certified. Any welders here?<br /><br />Otherwise, I took a semester of Diesel technology. Thought that was pretty cool. I have skills in hospitality as a waiter and bartender. Most recently i've found myself in a retail position.<br /><br />Freedom and flexibility, such as short term commitments, is important to me. I am willing to work hard and do work that others don't want to. I've always wanted to see what its like working in the country. Perhaps on a farm or ranch. Open to and could use some fresh ideas.<br /><br />What do you guys do to make money?

 

[Rollin]

Hi kingsnake, Yes (construction) welding would be a&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;career&nbsp;choice for this lifestyle. "IF" you are good you can make some very very good money (more than most people&nbsp;realize)&nbsp;. Look into the Labor unions (pipe fitters/steam&nbsp;fitters or&nbsp;boilermakers or iron workers)&nbsp;, If accepted they will pay for the&nbsp;apprenticeship&nbsp;school and you get to work while learning on the job. &nbsp;<br /><br />Be warned this is not easy work and you will earn every dime you make. You have got to have thick skin to work around these type of people. Also this type of&nbsp;work&nbsp;is&nbsp;dangerous to your&nbsp;health.

 

[yesican]

Oh yea...welding...my daughter's boyfriend just turned 26 and he probably makes near or over $150,000/year.&nbsp; That's a great career.<br />Rae

 

[gadgetMe]

Having diesel mechanics and welding skills are very sell-able skills in the aquiculture communities even in these times. If the opportunity comes along learn machining techniques, in the future fabrication skills will be valuable <br /><br />Also, schools are good, but nothing replaces experience, try to get entry levels jobs in the skills you would like to acquire, you will learn faster and get paid for your education,&nbsp; the education will be the "up to date" version instead, of what the school wants to teach. (usually a couple of years behind)<br /><br />You could check out harvest specialists (wheat, corn etc) the are mobile and travel extensively during their seasons.<br /><br />Just a thought, maybe worth investigating, <br /><br />With those skills, I went from line mechanics in auto dealerships, heavy equipment, to school buses, and finally our own company for the last 18 years.<br /><br />Just keep asking questions, talk to a lot of folks in the field you like, that is how you get leads, and wonderful things can happen.<br /><br />I always considered it an adventure, to see what could happen next<br /><br />Best of luck to you<br /><br />Putz<br /><br />

 

[yesican]

Oil well drilling needs both diesel mechanics and welding...this is where the money is in Alaska...2 weeks on and 2 weeks off 12 hour shifts--this means tons of overtime.&nbsp; They also pay for all lodging and meals while working.&nbsp; Everyone I've talked to really like their jobs...You're only drawback would be the flight from where you are to Anchorage and they pay the flight to the slope.&nbsp; If Alaska's not your gig...the oil boom in North Dakota would be the place to go...I heard they are short-handed there.<br />Rae

 

[SoulRaven]

Hmm never thought of things in this light but it seems I am pretty set as far as my education and experience I bring to this life style...<br /><br />Military I was a scout/ranger who spent enormous time in the field<br /><br />Journeyman Aerospace machinist, manual and CNC<br /><br />Trucker O/O/Mechanic<br /><br />AA Electronics Tech<br /><br />BA Mechanical Engineering Design<br /><br />I use at least one of this skills daily out here boondocking, weird never thought about how fortunate all these skills effected me in the field for the good...

 

[cyndi]

The awesome folks at Technomadia have been doing a series of nomads on the road and the things they do to bring in a buck. Links are on their latest blog post<br /><br /><a href="http://www.technomadia.com/2012/10/ramblings-tales-from-nomads-tacky-texans-fruitiny/">http://www.technomadia.com/2012/10/ramblings-tales-from-nomads-tacky-texans-fruitiny/<br /><br /><br /><br /></a>

 

[h0trodimus]

When I was a kid and my mom was raising me in a van we traveled around working at various flea markets, fairs and festivals. Unfortunately the economy was better during the 80's and 90's, it's harder to make a living working at a flea market now. On a side note, after lurking on this forum for a while now it seems like most people on here living in a RV or van are what I'd consider pretty well off especially from a skills/education stand point, doing so more as a choice instead of necessity...

 

[offroad]

Need to emphasize COMMUNICATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE as an important skill. You can get a job just being a clerk or night desk or security guard if you can communicate. Not much money but many can't communicate well enough. Helps when you network for other jobs.&nbsp;<br /><br />AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS or HOUSE REPAIRS can get you some small jobs.&nbsp;

 

[josephusminimus]

Prison guard.&nbsp; Private prisons are the fastest growing industry in this country.&nbsp; And it's one of the few areas within the job market where US citizens can depend on their jobs not being sent to China or Mexico for cheaper labor.<br /><br />Prison jobs are available almost everywhere and they're constantly advertising their needs for new employees.

 

[Guest]

I am an rv tech, crane operator, and have class 1 license . When I camp, when some one finds out I spend alot of time fixing rv's making cash as I fix. If I stay longer word gets arround and make even more cash. Works in my advantage, in my spare time. I work at an rv repair place and my labour rates are less than a shop plus I get parts at wholesale. Win win for me.

 

[yesican]

BigRed, sounds like your a good guy to have around!<br><br>Rae

 

[VanTrekker]

I used to be a gas station supervisor for close to six years.&nbsp; I couldn't believe how easy it was to get another job like this and how much applicability there is from station to station.&nbsp; The things you learn working with Ruby cash registers, Gilbarco-made gas pumps, and state lottery machines make you easily hired.&nbsp; The customer service skills and judgment gained checking IDs also gives you some credibility with the bosses.<br><br>Plus, it's fun.&nbsp;&nbsp;The downside is low pay.<br><br>Brad aka V.T.

 

[lampliter]

Heli-Arc welding is a good skill to learn. Most of the temp services in all states will hire you.

 

[Elf]

Kingsnake - Out here in my neck of the woods, the big thing is Marcellus Shale and the jobs that have sprung up around that industry. Welding skills are in such demand that the community college that I work at is starting a welding program as a component of our geoscience etc. degrees and certificates that cater to this industry. <br><br>X2 on the prison skills and criminal justice degrees in general - also a popular program with a high employment after graduation. Lastly, our health science degrees - nursing, physical therapy, respiratory therapy - all seem to have a high yield of mobile employment opportunities.<br><br>For myself - I know that I probably will always be employable since I am certified to teach online as well as being certified to review other online courses through Quality Matters (which is kind of like a Good Housekeeping seal of approval that a college course meets certain academic standards.) I can work anywhere I can access the Internet, including from my smart phone. I do that three months of the year anyway and have virtually held class in a lot of campgrounds.

 

[Dazzlecat]

I was just reading a blog by a woman who's been vandwelling for several years now. She does tellecommuting, I think she's a call person, answer phone line thingy. She travels all across the country and as long as she's got access to the internet she's good. sounds like a great job for a vandweller or RVer, spend the day sitting at your computer answering calls. I might look into that once I get closer to moving into my RV.

 

[DarthMuerte]

Hi Dazzle. Do you have a link to the blog?

 

[peacetara]

I work full time "telecommuting" as well.&nbsp; I have a little Verizon MIFI device and a laptop for internet, and I work full time from pretty much anywhere I can get a signal.&nbsp; Right now I'm camped out with Bob and the rest of the gang, and start back from vacation on Wed. <br><br>I do financial work, that takes a certain skill-set, so my job isn't for everyone (nor are we hiring).&nbsp; But there are lots of telecommuting jobs if you look around a lot.&nbsp; It does take a computer and internet, but it's a great way to go if you can find the work.&nbsp; Except... I find I want to be out wandering around exploring what I see from my windows, and I'm stuck in front of the computer being "productive" LOL.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[leftcoastadv]

Look into the disaster restoration industry. Water,Fire,Mold clean up. (ServiceMaster Clean, ServPro, PuroClean, Belfor, BMS Cat, etc)&nbsp;It is low paying to start ($10-12/hr)&nbsp;but once you gain some experience and some certifications the pay raises quickly ($15-22/hr). (IICRC is the governing body)<br><br>I've been in the industry going on 6 years and so far it has worked well with our traveling lifestyle. Normally we chase storms. Sandy, Irene, Joplin MO, Red River Valley flooding, etc. Blow into town, work like crazy for a month or two and then head on down the road.&nbsp;<br><br><br>Over the last 6 years I've picked up 5&nbsp;certifications along with learning how the insurance billing software works. I can do billing work from anywhere I have Internet and/or work out in the field if I'm in the right area. <br><br>In this industry, things go from dead slow to crazy busy overnight. <br><br>I'm currently in Northern AZ after last weeks hard freeze. The company I'm freelancing for just took 78 flood calls in a 24 hour period. That's about 2-3 weeks worth of work for myself. <br><br>I love it. It fits our lifestyle to a tee. <br><br>PS, you can also learn carpet cleaning as that goes hand in hand with the restoration industry. Carpet cleaning usually pays commission and you can make some quick cash once you get it dialed in.

 

[DarthMuerte]

Interesting. What does it take to break into disaster clean-up? Is there a special skill or certification you need? For example, I have the Hazwopper 40 hour certification though it is currently expired. Do you need anything like that? Any special tools? or are they generally provided by the employer?