Opinion or Suggestion Please!!!

[Micah]

Okay... So at our local tech school, they are offering a 5 week course on the new fracking business that is going on. Be a Certified Energy Specialist. The classes are Mon thru Thurs 4:30pm - 9:30pm. So basically, I would miss 5 Thursday meetings. Is it appropriate? For those in this area (Youngstown/Warren) you know about the unemployment, economical, and how hard it is to find a job, even getting in at Mc Donald's is hard!!! I thought, if I could do this, I could pretty much go LOTS of places and make a decent wage. I have thought also of going to where the need is greater with the skills I have. There is a brother in my cong that is going to be an LPN. His wife and him are moving to West Virginia in March/April where the need is greater. So I figured it is appropriate.

What is your take?

[sweetwillow58]

Well, 5 weeks isn't bad, not like college semesters where you would be missing MONTHS of meetings. Do they record the meetings for shut-ins and could you listen to them in the daytime when you are not in school? Also, depending on what job you get, you will be working away from the family unless they happen to be working in your area. Otherwise, you have to travel to the job. Around here, the company pays for motel room and food allowance plus pay. So you would also have to factor in being away from your family for possible weeks at a time and it won't leave much time for Service and meetings as some of them work 6-7 days a week 8-12 hrs a day for a few weeks and then get a few days off. My son worked one summer with the natural gas drilling laying the cables thru the woods. When they get done in one area then they go on to the next job which could even be in a different state. You can't bring your family. And some of those characters that work for them can be pretty rough, where my son stayed they were rowdy, loud, drinking, smoking, etc. I would ask a lot of questions before I signed up for the schooling. You'll want to know exactly what you are getting into. Not trying to be a negative Nellie, just sayin'....

[Alphaeus]

Hey Micah. We know that we shouldn't miss meetings. That being said, I don't think it is "wrong" or "inappropriate" for you to miss those 5 meetings to attend a 5 week course, especially considering these difficult times. I am not advising you to do it or not do it, just saying I don't think it is wrong. I'm sure you will think very hard and pray a lot about it. It may be a good idea...

[rocket]

I would recommend talking to your Elders and take it to Jehovah in prayer.

[Alphaeus]

I would recommend talking to your Elders and take it to Jehovah in prayer.

That would be even more helpful...

Christina also brought out a good point that you have to be careful to find out as much as you can about this type of field before you invest time and money in a school. You wouldn't want to get stuck in a bad field just because you felt pressured by these difficult economic times. Of course, even in these times Jehovah can help you to provide for your family since all things are possible with him.

[Precision]

Okay... So at our local tech school, they are offering a 5 week course on the new fracking business that is going on. Be a Certified Energy Specialist. The classes are Mon thru Thurs 4:30pm - 9:30pm. So basically, I would miss 5 Thursday meetings. Is it appropriate?

What is your take?

I appreciate the WT articles we've been considering lately. Really nothing is worth missing the meetings for. Is it possible to attend a Friday night meeting in Akron, or Dayton for 5 weeks ? As far as work schedules we really need to talk to our employer beforehand. Most jobs you will find rough talking, rowdy, individuals. If you have a chance check out the oil drilling rig series Black Gold on True TV, filmed in Texas. Those guys are bar-room brawlers.

[ava]

Okay... So at our local tech school, they are offering a 5 week course on the new fracking business that is going on. Be a Certified Energy Specialist. The classes are Mon thru Thurs 4:30pm - 9:30pm. So basically, I would miss 5 Thursday meetings. Is it appropriate? For those in this area (Youngstown/Warren) you know about the unemployment, economical, and how hard it is to find a job, even getting in at Mc Donald's is hard!!! I thought, if I could do this, I could pretty much go LOTS of places and make a decent wage. I have thought also of going to where the need is greater with the skills I have. There is a brother in my cong that is going to be an LPN. His wife and him are moving to West Virginia in March/April where the need is greater. So I figured it is appropriate.

What is your take?

I don't think anyone can or should tell you if it is appropriate to miss meetings. You are in a difficult situation, and I truly feel for you right now. I am not sure what I would do in that situation myself.

I would definitely pray on the matter and really think on it.

Also, do some research on this type of business. Fracking is controversial due to the earthquakes that are happening, I even read an article recently after the earthquake in Ohio for the government to stop fracking all together. So this business may sound good, but due to all the problems, the US could put a stop to it til changes are made, or stop it completely. You could take the class, miss the meetings, get a job, then in 6 months not have a job at all.

Definitely research this career and see if it is worth it. There may be something else you can take at the tech school that may work out better for you long term then Fracking, which may be more a short term job.

You mentioned moving. Maybe that is something to consider. Ohio has been hit hard by unemployment, really the entire midwest, but there are other states where jobs are more available. I know someone who just left his home state cause he couldn't find work, but he got a job in another state. Maybe that is something you should look into, check out jobs in other states.

Here is an interesting article to read for you

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45ggeg/1-texas/#content

This article came out a few weeks ago and lists the best states to get work right now.

The top states were Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, North Dakota, Utah

[sianrose]

hi micah

I dunno...

but we have a thread on "fracking" http://www.jwtalk.net/forum/read.php?49,59461,63853#msg-63853

[Alphaeus]

I don't think anyone can or should tell you if it is appropriate to miss meetings.

You may be right about that Ava. My bad...

[LeslieDean]

Hi Micah--I would be interested in talking to you privately before you make a deision on that carreer choice. I have some information you might consider before making a choice. If you would like to talk to me I will send you my phone number.

[Greenfield]

You could maybe visit another congregation with a Friday meeting if there is one for the 5 weeks.