Who's the fool?

WhiteWalls

I was at a family wedding over the Christmas. There is a good few of us cousins around the same age, i.e just a couple of years out of college trying to get set up at what we want to do. None of us are what you would call flush with cash or will be any time soon.

Cousin of mine just about has a Leaving Cert is driving a machine(s) in Australia for the past 5 years. He is only 18 months older than me and has a house bought here which he is now renting while he is back in Oz.

I genuinely feel like I have wasted the last 4 years in college.

Jesus Wept

yea but is he happy

AndonHandon

So he worked in Australia but sent the money abroad? How dare he take that job away from an Australian if he isn't going to keep the money in the Aus economy!

kneemos

A brass neck will get you much better earning potential than a degree.

berger89

I know it's easy to say, but money isn't everything! He's been away for 5 years, missed plenty a family and friends events. You may think you'd like his money, but he probably wants your life (I don;t mean that rudely!)

You have a degree behind you. And look, different strokes for different folks.

If you can't beat em, join em!

kneemos

AndonHandon wrote: »

So he worked in Australia but sent the money abroad? How dare he take that job away from an Australian if he isn't going to keep the money in the Aus economy!

Should he leave it behind when he leaves?

AndonHandon

kneemos wrote: »

Should he leave it behind when he leaves?

When?

Topper Harley

AndonHandon wrote: »

When?

When he leaves. :P

DeadHand

Early days yet, my friend.

better call saul

WhiteWalls wrote: »

I was at a family wedding over the Christmas. There is a good few of us cousins around the same age, i.e just a couple of years out of college trying to get set up at what we want to do. None of us are what you would call flush with cash or will be any time soon.

Cousin of mine just about has a Leaving Cert is driving a machine(s) in Australia for the past 5 years. He is only 18 months older than me and has a house bought here which he is now renting while he is back in Oz.

I genuinely feel like I have wasted the last 4 years in college.

Aigh and what happens to all these cool dudes when the driving tractors in fields falls through they'll come back with no degree to fall back on don't worry about it kid keep the skunk in your balls

kneemos

AndonHandon wrote: »

When?

So he can never leave?

AndonHandon

kneemos wrote: »

So he can never leave?

Australian jobs for Australian people.

catallus

Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.

But some people drive motorbikes, so there's that too.

gctest50

i heart chewy louie wrote: »

yea but is he happy

course - lovely machinery over there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX7OmbY9kgE

0byme75341jo28

The answer to this question is always "you".

kneemos

AndonHandon wrote: »

Australian jobs for Australian people.

Why are they so eager to hand out visa's then?

Topper Harley

WhiteWalls wrote: »

Cousin of mine just about has a Leaving Cert is driving a machine(s) in Australia for the past 5 years. He is only 18 months older than me and has a house bought here which he is now renting while he is back in Oz.

I genuinely feel like I have wasted the last 4 years in college.

Does he have a mortgage or could he afford the house outright?

Because if he has a mortgage he may find that he won't be able to move home and still afford it even if he wants to, so it's not the be all and end all.

If he managed to afford it outright then yeah, maybe you wasted 4 years in college, as did many others.

Donnielighto

WhiteWalls wrote: »

I was at a family wedding over the Christmas. There is a good few of us cousins around the same age, i.e just a couple of years out of college trying to get set up at what we want to do. None of us are what you would call flush with cash or will be any time soon.

Cousin of mine just about has a Leaving Cert is driving a machine(s) in Australia for the past 5 years. He is only 18 months older than me and has a house bought here which he is now renting while he is back in Oz.

I genuinely feel like I have wasted the last 4 years in college.

Plenty of lads made a packet when I was in college during the boom, when the arse fell out of the construction trade they didnt have much going for them. Though buying a gaff was agood move that guys behalf due to timing.

Topper Harley

AndonHandon wrote: »

Australian jobs for Australian people.

No Irish etc. need apply... Aboriginal Australians only.

Peregrinus

WhiteWalls wrote: »

I was at a family wedding over the Christmas. There is a good few of us cousins around the same age, i.e just a couple of years out of college trying to get set up at what we want to do. None of us are what you would call flush with cash or will be any time soon.

Cousin of mine just about has a Leaving Cert is driving a machine(s) in Australia for the past 5 years. He is only 18 months older than me and has a house bought here which he is now renting while he is back in Oz.

I genuinely feel like I have wasted the last 4 years in college.

If your object in going to college was to acquire a truckload of money by your early twenties then, yes, you have wasted the last four years. Going to college would be an extraordinary strategy to adopt if that were your object, however.

DEFTLEFTHAND

A good work ethic and ambition will get you far, sounds like this man has a bit of get up and go in him.

catallus

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

A good work ethic and ambition will get you far, sounds like this man has a bit of get up and go in him.

You like the cut of his jib?

McDermotX

Who's the fool ?

I guess we are........we should be listening to your cousin.

He sounds deadly.

DEFTLEFTHAND

catallus wrote: »

You like the cut of his jib?

He sounds like a man's man, probably rolls his own cigarettes and everything.

I'm too white collar for my own good see?

catallus

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I'm too white collar for my own good see?

We must speak further on this.

What opinions do you have on starching white collars?

I'm against it.

Turtwig

The fool is the person who must look outward to consider his own satisfaction.

Or something to that extent.

You have no idea what their life is actually like. Focus on your own.

DEFTLEFTHAND

catallus wrote: »

We must speak further on this.

What opinions do you have on starching white collars?

I'm against it.

Yes only Priests should starch their collars.

catallus

Turtwig wrote: »

You have no idea what their life is actually like. Focus on your own.

What about the joy some people get from judging others??

Can they not truly live, too?!

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Yes only Priests should starch their collars.

Ecumenicism and starch? A potent cocktail! But I'm not so sure priests do starch their collars....

kneemos

catallus wrote: »

What about the joy some people get from judging others??

Can they not truly live, too?!




Ecumenicism and starch? A potent cocktail! But I'm not so sure priests do starch their collars....

Old American movies is the only place I've ever heard of a starched collar.

Topper Harley

catallus wrote: »

What about the joy some people get from judging others??

Can they not truly live, too?!

"Great minds discuss ideas;
average minds discuss events;
small minds discuss people."

— Eleanor Roosevelt (allegedly)

Mantis Toboggan

The Australians are fools. Serious earning potential in oz, around 3k a week into the hand in some places for very basic work, yet lots of Australians are lazy, poor work ethic and allowing the Irish to clean up!

pragmatic1

A basic college education in Ireland is not going to set you up for life, it's just a start. Probably due to the fact that so many people have college degrees in this country.

I have a lot of friends that took up trades instead of going to college. they're all doing much better financially that my friends that went the college route.

AngryHippie

Tyson Fury wrote: »

SomeAustralians are fools. Serious earning potential in oz, around 3k a week into the hand in some places for very basic work, yet lots of Australians are lazy, poor work ethic and allowing the Irish to clean up!

Only a fool would make such an assertion
Pass me a bucket. plenty of those places are desolate sh1tholes, they are being compensated for living in a hole, a jungle or a desert or the middle of nowhere, not for the class or skill of the work they do.
As for the Irish cleaning up, well that is a gross exaggeration if ever I have seen one. There are plenty of Irish over here working there arses off if thats what you mean. If you mean we are all living the high life and stuffing mattresses with cash, then I call a big old bullsh1t on that one. Plenty of us aren't on crazy money, but are happy to do a fair days work for a reasonable wage, live somewhere nice and have a healthy lifestyle.

Yes there are generational bludgers, there are plenty of people who don't see any value in academic qualification and value skill and experience over qualifications, but that is the nature of the countries economy, which is largely driven by primary industries rather than technological industries.

AndonHandon

kneemos wrote: »

Why are they so eager to hand out visa's then?

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/87ra6qKzXDA/maxresdefault.jpg

Hoop66

Topper Harley wrote: »

"Great minds discuss ideas;
average minds discuss events;
small minds discuss people."

— Eleanor Roosevelt (allegedly)

Well she would say that, the things I could tell you about her...


*adjusts bosom*

Birneybau

Megan Plain Square wrote: »

The answer to this question is always "you".

Ok then. YOU!

oakshade

I dropped out of college in second year with no qualification and worked in a factory for a year or so. It wasn't for me so I went back to college and got my qualification in a completely different area (IT). My first 'proper' job out of college paid at least 5-6K less than what I earned in the factory and it took 2-3 years of work before I was on-par.

It's 14+ years later now, I'm in management and earn multiples of my initial factory salary. The factory also went out of business about 5 years ago and everyone was made redundant.

Stick with it - you are not the fool and it is worth it.

cml387

Before you know a man drive a mile in his digger.

You'll be a mile away and have his digger.

Cee-Jay-Cee

berger89 wrote: »

I know it's easy to say, but money isn't everything! He's been away for 5 years, missed plenty a family and friends events. You may think you'd like his money, but he probably wants your life (I don;t mean that rudely!)
)

That's your view but not the view of the majority of people who are in Australia and have decent jobs. Many don't want want to come back to this ****hole. They live in a nice country, have jobs and nice weather to be able to enjoy an outdoor healthy lifestyle. Maybe you wouldn't like being away but I know countless people in Australia that have no intention of coming back anytime soon. Sure they miss their families and friends but to say they're not happy and wish to be like those at home with no jobs is completely untrue. They left here because they don't want to be like those stuck here with no jobs.

I would take s good job and a life in Australia over any degree qualification any day. Things are not good in this country despite all the government BS about an improving economy, it's improving for those already well off but for the biggest majority it's the same as it was 3 or 4 years ago, nothing has changed.

Valetta

better call saul wrote: »

Aigh and what happens to all these cool dudes when the driving tractors in fields falls through they'll come back with no degree to fall back on don't worry about it kid keep the skunk in your balls

Find harder fields.

Caliden

Topper Harley wrote: »

Does he have a mortgage or could he afford the house outright?

Because if he has a mortgage he may find that he won't be able to move home and still afford it even if he wants to, so it's not the be all and end all.

If he managed to afford it outright then yeah, maybe you wasted 4 years in college, as did many others.

If it's similar work to a friend of mine then the house is bought outright.

He's working off shore on a detention centre. Gets flown out there by helicopter every 3 weeks and has 1 week off. He chooses to work his week off and just keeps working.

He's just gone mad for money but who could blame him as there's nothing for him at home. He's been there over 4 years now and he's closing on €1 million with the work he is doing. I've had other friends visit Australia and he met up with them for a few days but went back working again while they were there.

That's the life he chose and fair play to him but in my eyes he is just selling his youth.

WhiteWalls

Caliden wrote: »

If it's similar work to a friend of mine then the house is bought outright.

He's working off shore on a detention centre. Gets flown out there by helicopter every 3 weeks and has 1 week off. He chooses to work his week off and just keeps working.

He's just gone mad for money but who could blame him as there's nothing for him at home. He's been there over 4 years now and he's closing on €1 million with the work he is doing. I've had other friends visit Australia and he met up with them for a few days but went back working again while they were there.

That's the life he chose and fair play to him but in my eyes he is just selling his youth.

Very hard to argue against 1 million bucks however

mitresize5

I know this is after hours so was considering not posting a serious reply but hows ever ......

You should always be thinking medium to long term about your career and life prospect. What am I doing now to secure and build for my future. Its a long life you have.

Build some experience, work the ****ty jobs for 24/25K, put your head down and work hard, don't be afraid to jump jobs to get to the next level responsibility and financially wise.

Your cousin has likely reached the peak of his financial earning and is undoubtedly doing well for himself. You on the other hand are only starting out but you will likely progress and increase your earning for the rest of you career. There isn't a decent job in Ireland that doesn't start with 'Degree plus X years experience.

Quick example - went to college with a guy who dropped out to be a plaster, talented guy as well, could have done well. Met him occasionally over the next few years and he was increasingly smug in telling me how much he earned. Peaked with me meeting him in West Clare one afternoon pulling a jetski behind his jeep. Fast forward ten years and I occasionally give him two euros at the tool booth on my way to work. I'm the one in the management role, good salary, paid health insurance, good pension and share options.

Stick with it - its a long life

Cee-Jay-Cee

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I would take s good job and a life in Australia over any degree qualification any day. Things are not good in this country despite all the government BS about an improving economy, it's improving for those already well off but for the biggest majority it's the same as it was 3 or 4 years ago, nothing has changed.

If you have a degree (or higher) in a good subject there are jobs in Ireland, I know of positions that cant be filled as finding people with the right qualifications is very very hard.

As for living in Australia, plenty wouldn't even consider it including myself. Being away from family and friends is a big deal to many so staying and working in Ireland is the only thing they will consider.

Micky Dolenz

I worked in Oz for a year and made a cool $600k. When I changed it to £, 'twas about 260 quid.

berger89

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

That's your view but not the view of the majority of people who are in Australia and have decent jobs. Many don't want want to come back to this ****hole. They live in a nice country, have jobs and nice weather to be able to enjoy an outdoor healthy lifestyle. Maybe you wouldn't like being away but I know countless people in Australia that have no intention of coming back anytime soon. Sure they miss their families and friends but to say they're not happy and wish to be like those at home with no jobs is completely untrue. They left here because they don't want to be like those stuck here with no jobs.

I would take s good job and a life in Australia over any degree qualification any day. Things are not good in this country despite all the government BS about an improving economy, it's improving for those already well off but for the biggest majority it's the same as it was 3 or 4 years ago, nothing has changed.

and that's your view, not the majority of people who are in Australia or Ireland for that matter

eternal

It's well known you get very good money in Aussie for labour related jobs. I would prefer to be educated than drive a basic machine. He just happened to be lucky with money and money comes and goes but education lasts all of your life. Why compare yourself to some ****e like that.

callaway92

Turtwig wrote: »

The fool is the person who must look outward to consider his own satisfaction.

Or something to that extent.

You have no idea what their life is actually like. Focus on your own.

Wow, nice post!

eternal

I pity the fool etc

Jamsiek

berger89 wrote: »

He's been away for 5 years, missed plenty a family and friends events. You may think you'd like his money, but he probably wants your life (I don;t mean that rudely!)

The thing is that if he wanted the life of being back in Ireland he would probably have moved back. Maybe he likes where he is and doesn't feel that he is missing out on much. Who knows.

berger89 wrote: »

You have a degree behind you. And look, different strokes for different folks.
If you can't beat em, join em!

Good point, great to have a degree behind you, lasts you for life and an Irish degree is recognized around the world too.

B.A._Baracus

eternal wrote: »

I pity the fool etc

... :eek: