Have you ever...

...ended up getting hired into a job you never expected? I have been out of work for almost 5 years, due to a combination of college classes, caring for my wife as a result of a couple of auto accidents, and just general economic instability in my hometown. Luckily the house and cars are paid for! Anyway, I entered into a course provided by a county employment agency that offers occupational training in various areas. Since my city is a manufacturing city (multiple grain processing factories and a Caterpillar assembly factory, among others), the course I entered was to learn manufacturing fundamentals with the ultimate goal of finding a job with one of the local manufacturers.

While we are in this program, they set us up with interviews with local companies so we can get some practical training along side our classroom training. I was sent to a machine shop, but I have no welding or metal lathe experience. However, since I do have a lot of computer experience, they decided they were going to train me on how to use AutoCAD and help them design the parts that they produce. This is not something that I ever expected, or even really considered. In hindsight, I'm surprised I never seriously thought about it, because as I said, this is a manufacturing town. Plus, I can take this kind of knowledge and experience anywhere I go! As a bonus, it also pays rather well in the long run, too! That's always nice!

Wish me luck! I start Monday!