Graduating this year...my plans

[MichaelJ]

Well guys, I start my college classes in the morning, and I will be graduating HS with my AA completed. As some of you know I plan on going to the military (finally decided that I'm going Army, and want to become a Warrant Officer and fly helicopters). Though once I graduate I've been contemplating leaving Wenatchee and possibly going down to Idaho, or Montana, or even Colorado to try and possibly get a job at an outfitter (just kicking around ideas here), or possibly get a job on some ranch. Basically I might want to take 6 months to a year and get out of the valley and go see where God takes me. Maybe he'll open some doors for me and show me another path that may take me through life... This is all off the top of my head and I'm just rambling here, but I'd really like to get hired on with an outfitter and work there for the summer. Might possibly look into going up to Alaska and working for a charter boat service fishing with clients.

I really don't know what I want to do, but if you guys have any idea on who I should contact for outfitters in any of the western states I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Michael

 

[polarbear]

If you want to work at an up-scale, secluded, fishin' lodge in SE Alaska, I can hook you up with a great summer job. May-Sept. All the fishing that you can handle, sitka blacktails and black bear up the ying yang. My brother in-law's family owns one of the premier lodges on Prince of Wales Island. It is a swwweeeeet place. I worked there for a summer just before I got married and brought home hundreds of pounds of halibut, salmon and shrimp and a pocket full of cash. Let me know and I can hook you up.

 

[FamilyMan]

Whatever you decide to do, remember to think long-term. In the long term completing your college degree and getting training in something that will make you a better-than-average wage and an enjoyable job without wearing out the body should be high on your priority list, even if it means forgoing some fun in the short term.

Best of luck.

 

[ismith]

You should consider the army national guard. Im a chinook helicopter mechanic and belong to a unit in Helena Montana. I know there are quite a few pilot slots open in my unit and the NG in general has been hurting for pilots for awhile.

 

[MichaelJ]

Don't worry, I'm deffinately thinking longterm. I still want to go to the army, but do want to go work for a time once I graduate (in june) before I go in. Maybe an opportunity will pop up in that time.

Eric, that would deffinately be cool. You got a PM coming your way.

Michael

 

[kilowatt]

Michael,

One of my hunting buddies oldest son graduated from UNV in Reno back in May and in June he left for Basic Training back in Ft. Benning, GA. He entered the Army as a SPC since he had a degree from there and is a Specialist grade and was made acting Sgt. and is and was "babysitting" a whole bunch of young guys. He is going on 22 and is so hyped up that he just wants to get into Jump School and get that over and then on to Special Forces Training.
He had over 20 JUMPS from a plane before even going into the service.

Don't rush things, think them out and enjoy.

Brian

 

[MichaelJ]

Brian, the more I think of it, the more that may be a possibility. Though ROTC would be the only way I would want to go. I don't think I want to go through college, and then enlist once I graduate. My sister is attending Central and I plan on visiting her quite a lot this year. I really enjoy the environment of that place, and think it may be worth checking out. Though I have ZERO idea what my major would be. That's my problem right now.

Michael

 

[kingfish]

Michael, Just remember my young friend! Life is about making good choices take your time and think things out. The choices you make today can stick with you for a lifetime. I wish you all the best in what ever you do. Do what is right and honarable and you should be just fine. Make sure God is involved in your decisions.....

 

[MichaelJ]

Kingfish, thanks for the encouragement... means a lot.

Anybody know of some reputtal outfitters in ID/MT/CO or even WY that I might check out? Thanks.

Michael

 

[COSA]

MichaelJ,
Go do your "adventures" before signing any contracts with the army. As a young adult your mind can change a lot in just a few short months. Joining the military, especially now, is a big and courageous decision. It is probabbly going to be a sacrifice, but that is up to you. I think it is a tough decision and takes some balls to enlist at this time.

 

[eelgrass]

Michael, when I was about your age a very wise old man gave me some advise that I have never forgotten. He said "Always remember, a wet bird never flies at night!"

I'm 58 now and I can't tell you how many times that has helped me when the time came to make a big decision in my life. Remember those words and you'll do just fine!

Seriously, in my senior year a friend and I went to see a movie in town made by a guide in Alaska. He was trying to book clients for the next season. He had great footage of moose, dall sheep, caribou and grizzlies. My friend and I talked to him after the show and inquired about working for him as packers, or cooks, anything to get up there and live the dream. He took our names and phone numbers! About a month later he called and offered us work! We said YES! We had about a month of school left and then he would send us our airline tickets. We waited and waited but nothing ever came. Finally my Dad called up there and found out the guy had died in a small plane crash and his business was deing dismantled. My life took a different direction but I've always wondered how it would have turned out if we had made it up there at that time.

Just something to think about.

Steve



Steve

 

[MichaelJ]

>MichaelJ,
>Go do your "adventures" before signing
>any contracts with the army.
>As a young adult your
>mind can change a lot
>in just a few short
>months. Joining the military, especially
>now, is a big and
>courageous decision. It is probabbly
>going to be a sacrifice,
>but that is up to
>you. I think it is
>a tough decision and takes
>some balls to enlist at
>this time.

This is exactly what I'm doing. I am still planning on joining the army, it's just that (like you say) I want to go out and live some adventures for awhile. Too many people I know took a year after highschool to "hang out" yet they stayed right here in Wenatchee. I'm planning on taking possible up to a year off, though I sure as hell aint staying in the valley. I don't want to look back and wonder if something could've happened to me then where I could've gone out and possibly found a new passion/career opportunity.

Steve, sorry man, don't exactly get the "wet bird" comment. Please enlighten me... lol

Michael

 

[kilowatt]

Steve probably fell into Humboldt Bay too many times hunting them Brants. LOL

Brian

 

[FamilyMan]

I took it as a joke.

Mark

 

[eelgrass]

"Steve, sorry man, don't exactly get the "wet bird" comment. Please enlighten me... lol"

Michael

Michael, I never really understood it either! LOL! In fact, I might have just made it up! It was meant to be silly!

Steve

 

[MichaelJ]

lol good, cause you got a big "WTF is he talking about?" from me! Anybody else got any info for me, that'd be great too. Thanks.

Michael

 

[sagehnter]

the best thing to do if I were in your shoes go out and see other areas and work far enough away from home that you miss it but get used to not being there. When you open your eyes and find that there is life out side of what you've been used to and that there are other things and places than a sleepy little town. But never for a minute let yourself change your mind about going to college. It may seem like a lot of work but it will be the best time of your life and if you go out and earn a living before you go you will apreciate the opportunity to learn a whole lot more than those spoiled mommas boy's in fraternity's....
Trust me because I've done it. Went to Alaska and worked for a 9 months after high school and then spent the next 4 1/2 years in school and wouldn't trade any of it.