ZMonster

ZMonster, 16 minutes ago

Well now I feel so cultured.

ZMonster, 12 days ago

Pesto Broccoli Chicken Bacon Ranch

ZMonster, 21 days ago

Lol, yes, it’s been a fucking journey though. I didn’t realize I was abused by my family so I spent the better part of two decades being depressed, self-destructive, and suicidal. I also participated in the genocide in Iraq and tried to bury that away too. Therapy has been recent but life changing. I’d tried it before but I didn’t know that everyone wasn’t like me so I always came off as indifferent, insensitive, or unmotivated. I spoke to a VA counselor once, about a traumatic experience, and all he wrote in his notes were, “patient states”, then a very truncated summary of what I had said. Then he diagnosed me with halitosis. What an absolute fuck head. I wrote off therapy for 10 years after that. Finally met someone who was blown away that I had never been treated for ADD/ASD and she tested me. Then the therapy advanced and she was able to communicate with me. Realized the PTSD, child abuse, and toxic behaviors that I was newly habituating. Who knows if growing up in a healthy/safe environment or being tested would have changed any of these failed prospects. But if you have trouble getting along in a team environment (I massively do) then you can look for work in remote or secure locations, look for vocations that revolve around data collection and travel, or look into govt jobs. I’ve worked a few govt jobs (not infrequently unionized so 👍) and everyone there is either a 5th dimensional chess level wackadoo or they expect everyone else to be. They embrace weird, they just don’t pay shit. So here is my vocational history:

Medic - in emergency response/combat, no problem. But on the civilian side there were too many… civilians. May lean heavily on communication, but nearly all of it can be done free of niceties, body language, idioms, or banter.

Then a phleb/lab tech while I changed vocations. May require interaction with patients. So if that’s a problem then stick to lab tech work. Also, seek night shift positions if you want to take isolation to the next level.

Electrical engineer until I realized I had to work in a team of dumb people, and no matter how many companies I changed to the teams just got dumber. If you are more perceptive than you let on, and you expect people in high functioning/accountable roles to be demonstrably intelligent, then maybe steer clear of these team based fields of work. I switched to trades where I (admittedly, rudely) expect everyone to be a drooling lepton and am always impressed at their ingenuity.

So field engineering inspections for a while. That didn’t work out eventually, and after leaving this vocation I was diagnosed and mental health began to improve. This was travel based, and very solitary. I had to be self motivated but the work was enjoyable so that helped. Time management and resource allocation were always difficult so routines and checklists were leaned on heavily.

Then electrician, equipment fabrication, and control design (again, yes, but part time). Trades tend to work in teams at lower levels of experience so if you are willing to grit your teeth through the monotony of other people’s opinions, there are specializations that can alleviate the surplus extraversion. Custom work keeps things fresh. But if you have to do something repetitive, then maybe find a pastime that keeps your lizard brain occupied (I love podcasts, Behind the Bastards, Knowledge Fight, The Dollop - I listen to these and the day is over in a blink).

This job ends in a few years, and I do have a master’s in software engineering, but the SO wants to be the bread winner so I’m preparing to do law school because why not.

I’d be happy to respond to any questions if you think I can help. Good luck!

ZMonster, 21 days ago

I’m so envious! My job is ending in a few years and I am going to do law school. I can’t wait.

ZMonster, 21 days ago

I switched to PPG after realizing that piloting was not a good fit for my stress capacity. You still get to fly but for a fraction of the cost. 🪂

ZMonster, 21 days ago

I build electrical panels but walk past the machine shop every morning and love seeing all the machines that you get to work with. The water jet is my favorite. Also, the press. So f’ing cool.

ZMonster, 21 days ago

Lol, don’t let school indoctrinate you into thinking that design work is the only thing for an engineer to do. There is so much more. Field engineering is great and rarely requires design. Inspections are also an awesome way to use that degree sans design. Look into regulation or travel opportunities. High tech and applications also dabble in design without requiring it. Controls and instrumentation can also provide build, maintenance, or modification opportunities that more closely align with what you would call trade work. That said, if the cost is a problem (and I fucking get it), you can always take a hiatus and join the trades as a trial. Electricians have a pretty cool job. You can do residential and mostly cookie cutter work that never ends, or do commercial and specialize, get into service, or even govt inspection. Just throwing some ideas out. Good luck and grats! EE is the shit!!

ZMonster, 21 days ago

I’m unbelievably offended that you would assume I do IT. I’m an EE.

But yes I’ve done IT.

ZMonster, 21 days ago

Hah! Great to hear then. My apologies for assuming. I didn’t understand the nuances or opportunities of engineering when I went through, but you sound much more prepared for the job than I likely was. Good luck to you then! And stick with it. It’s tough but worth it.