From Desk Job to Diesel: Chasing My Childhood Dream

[TVA]

OH I didn't mention it? Sorry forgot. I'm from Iran. It's a middle eastern country. You know the one that has a problem with Isreal and US and vice versa.

O know Iran. My old boss in my country actually did some business with Iran.
The clones of French made products.
Also I’ve been meeting some Iranian truck drivers at paper mill in Ukraine. That’s where I’m from.

 

[TVA]

I really appreciate all the advice. You're really helping me gain prespective and I'm sure you've done the same for a lot of people here. Just please as you've said don't overexert yourself nothing is worth damaging yourself over. Even your family won't appreciate it. Although it might not be my place to say that
Also congratz on having your own business. It takes a lot of guts to start your own thing. It really sounds like you're living "the american dream".

That’s another thing: if you think you’ll be your own boss because you own business - it’s not exactly true. The good relationships with your customers are really important to the health of your bank account.

Although I did “fire” few of them. At some point you start to understand that your ROI is negative

 

[MidLifeCATrisis]

O know Iran. My old boss in my country actually did some business with Iran.
The clones of French made products.
Also I’ve been meeting some Iranian truck drivers at paper mill in Ukraine. That’s where I’m from.

Ah that's nice. It's always good to see someone who knows where I'm from.
Thanks a whole bunch for all the advice. I'm gonna keep all of it in mind.

BTW in your opinion, as someone who was an immigrant want is the best way to break the stigma and break iinto the trades industry? I mean from what I understood you where experienced before moving to US right? But still. Do you think going door to door with my resume is the best course of action? Should I like follow up in person after a week or something? Any advice on that?

 

[DDoug]

I would end the "get to the US" idea, and concentrate on Canada.

 

[MidLifeCATrisis]

I would end the "get to the US" idea, and concentrate on Canada.

Yeah I don't even have that Idea honestly. I am focusing on Canada. All the advice I'm asking for is for Canada. I just though since US and Canada are pretty similar in business etiquette I'd be ok asking interchangeably.
TBH with you I'm gonna get my canadian citizenship in less than 4 years and I'll have my permenant residency in a few months. It's not even worth the risk for me if I could go to US. No offense ofcourse.

 

[Coaldust]

Welcome to the HEF. I would certainly try to get accepted in the ThinkBig program. That opens up a lot of doors. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t make it the first time. Sometimes, the dealer will hire you anyways and you can apply again, the following enrollment.

Heavy equipment is fun, but have you considered raising rabbits for fun & profit?
Changed my life. I’m able to drink more than I used to. So, there’s that. And, the rabbits don’t judge me.

 

[TVA]

Welcome to the HEF. I would certainly try to get accepted in the ThinkBig program. That opens up a lot of doors. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t make it the first time. Sometimes, the dealer will hire you anyways and you can apply again, the following enrollment.

Heavy equipment is fun, but have you considered raising rabbits for fun & profit?
Changed my life. I’m able to drink more than I used to. So, there’s that. And, the rabbits don’t judge me.

He is probably Muslim

 

[Coaldust]

I think rabbits are halal.

 

[TVA]

I think rabbits are halal.

I wasn’t talking about rabbits.

But I’ve got interesting story: one of my friends was working for Boeing, got laid off after 9/11.
Got hooked up on computer games, bad!!!
When he finally realized that his addiction ruins his family and life - he got off by starting keeping and breeding quail, then added chickens, then rabbits.
Turned out to be blessing because all his kids got in to it also. So they had really nice family times.

 

[Nige]

I have one question. Are you prepared to get your hands dirty on a regular basis.?
If the answer to the question is no, do not apply......

A small anecdote at this point. An expat working for a Cat dealership in a foreign country and a bunch of local engineers were talking about him.
"Do you know the difference between him and us.?" asked onem, then answered his own question.
"He's prepared to stick his hands in the oil".............
(The expat may or may not have been me)

 

[TVA]

I have one question. Are you prepared to get your hands dirty on a regular basis.?
If the answer to the question is no, do not apply......

A small anecdote at this point. An expat working for a Cat dealership in a foreign country and a bunch of local engineers were talking about him.
"Do you know the difference between him and us.?" asked onem, then answered his own question.
"He's prepared to stick his hands in the oil".............
(The expat may or may not have been me)

Today - it wasn’t only my hands in oil.
That TL1055 pissed oil on me!!!
Pretty nasty also, something going on with that thing.

Now it’s “let’s leak whole bunch of hoses from under the crimps” - galore!

Looks like crankcase vent filter in that C4.4 wasn’t replaced ever. Had a pinhole in the vent tube, but still was pushing oily mess out if fill lid and “through the wall” connector”
Coolers plugged to crap!

 

[DDoug]

Nige could help better than I can, with me looking in from the outside.

As you indicated programming and electrical work, the large off hiway trucks are electric drive.

How is your industrial electronics knowledge ?

Can you work on power electronics ? IIRC the Cat literature is showing 2300 vdc main power buss.

You'll find IGBT drives, running 2300 vdc at 1200 amps each.
along with low power signal wiring.

All manner of programmable computing stuff as well, but more industrial
not widows so much.


Might be a good place for you, not so much the gears & pumps sort of work.

You indicated "Even now, whenever I can, I ditch the desk and spend my time with the operators and maintenance crew on the shop floor."
where do you work now (no name needed, just what do they do) and what does you present job entail ?

 

[TVA]

Nige could help better than I can, with me looking in from the outside.

As you indicated programming and electrical work, the large off hiway trucks are electric drive.

How is your industrial electronics knowledge ?

Can you work on power electronics ? IIRC the Cat literature is showing 2300 vdc main power buss.

You'll find IGBT drives, running 2300 vdc at 1200 amps each.
along with low power signal wiring.

All manner of programmable computing stuff as well, but more industrial
not widows so much.


Might be a good place for you, not so much the gears & pumps sort of work.

One thing I love about industrial work - I’m in the shade!!!
Totting around Pipeliners clouds and Service Foxes gets old quick. Especially at the end of the day, when im exhausted.
Another nice thing - I can leave all my tools on the machine, when all the machinists go home, and they’ll be there next morning.

 

[TVA]

I have one question. Are you prepared to get your hands dirty on a regular basis.?
If the answer to the question is no, do not apply......

A small anecdote at this point. An expat working for a Cat dealership in a foreign country and a bunch of local engineers were talking about him.
"Do you know the difference between him and us.?" asked onem, then answered his own question.
"He's prepared to stick his hands in the oil".............
(The expat may or may not have been me)

I don’t know about oil, but “closer to the subject” - my wife broke down and paid sewer company to come and replace float switch on grinder pump, while I was at work.
I’m kinda stingy about paying for work that I can do myself ( I call it mechanics curse) but I kinda glad I don’t have to deal with that stinky things.

 

[MidLifeCATrisis]

Welcome to the HEF. I would certainly try to get accepted in the ThinkBig program. That opens up a lot of doors. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t make it the first time. Sometimes, the dealer will hire you anyways and you can apply again, the following enrollment.

Thanks a ton for the welcome,

Yeah I though it'd be my best bet. How would you say I could increase my chances of getting into the program? I honestly can't go for a HET shop in Iran since (1) I'm working two jobs to save as much money as possible for my move (2) Due to the sanctions all the machines in Iran are either +50-60 years old or chinese knockoffs so not sure if the work experience would even help

Heavy equipment is fun, but have you considered raising rabbits for fun & profit?
Changed my life. I’m able to drink more than I used to. So, there’s that.

Don't tempt me with a good time! I love animals and homesteading but that has to wait until I wanna retire.

He is probably Muslim

lol

I think rabbits are halal.

lol x 2

I wasn’t talking about rabbits.

lol x 3

 

[MidLifeCATrisis]

I have one question. Are you prepared to get your hands dirty on a regular basis.?
If the answer to the question is no, do not apply......

A small anecdote at this point. An expat working for a Cat dealership in a foreign country and a bunch of local engineers were talking about him.
"Do you know the difference between him and us.?" asked onem, then answered his own question.
"He's prepared to stick his hands in the oil".............
(The expat may or may not have been me)

I am ready to get my hands dirty. I know that it doesn't compare with HET but I do work on my own car and do tons of DIY aroud the house. Servicing my own pumps, boiler, coolers, etc. Although honestly that's the limit of my technical prowess.

So what would you recommend I do to increase my chances of getting into CAT? You know as someone who may or may not worked in a CAT dealership?lol

Thanks a bunch

 

[MidLifeCATrisis]

Nige could help better than I can, with me looking in from the outside.

As you indicated programming and electrical work, the large off hiway trucks are electric drive.

How is your industrial electronics knowledge ?

Can you work on power electronics ? IIRC the Cat literature is showing 2300 vdc main power buss.

You'll find IGBT drives, running 2300 vdc at 1200 amps each.
along with low power signal wiring.

All manner of programmable computing stuff as well, but more industrial
not widows so much.


Might be a good place for you, not so much the gears & pumps sort of work.

You indicated "Even now, whenever I can, I ditch the desk and spend my time with the operators and maintenance crew on the shop floor."
where do you work now (no name needed, just what do they do) and what does you present job entail ?

I really like the idea of working as an HET on electric drive equipment. That was my long-term goal from the start. My plan is to get an apprenticeship—hopefully with Finning (CAT) through their ThinkBIG program. In Canada, this program allows you to work alongside electricians on power systems, and they actively encourage getting a dual ticket as an HET and an electrician, which aligns perfectly with my long-term goal.

My approach is to first learn the basics of all aspects of the job—hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, mechanical—then focus on electric drives in the last two years of my apprenticeship. Once I earn my Red Seal, I’d like to transition to FIFO work, primarily servicing electric-drive mining equipment. That said, I understand this is just a wishlist from someone without real blue-collar experience, and I’m fully prepared to adapt my plan as I gain more knowledge and see new opportunities.

As for working on power electronics, the simple answer is no—I haven't done it hands-on. However, I do have academic knowledge from my bachelor’s degree, along with self-study. I’ve also spent time hovering over our factory’s electricians, picking their brains (LOL). While I lack direct experience, I’m confident that I can learn whatever is necessary in short order.

No worries about the job situation. Right now, I’m a supply chain manager at a tobacco factory (producing cigarettes). For the past few months, I’ve also been acting as the factory manager, reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the maintenance team, operators, quality, HSE, shift supervisors, etc. That said, this is a small factory, with 6 production lines and a hundredsomwthing employees.

I'm more than happy to divulge further if you think that would give you a better picture.

And ofcourse any and all feedback is greatly appreciated

 

[Cmark]

You seem to have drive and a positive attitude which will take you a long way.
If you can get yourself into an apprenticeship with a Cat dealer, you've got a golden ticket to a good career. My advice is to concentrate on achieving that goal, and think about specialising further down the line.

I can't speak for Canada, but here in Australia, any one with experience in digital communications and/or qualifications in HV electrics will be well regarded.

 

[MidLifeCATrisis]

You seem to have drive and a positive attitude which will take you a long way.
If you can get yourself into an apprenticeship with a Cat dealer, you've got a golden ticket to a good career. My advice is to concentrate on achieving that goal, and think about specialising further down the line.

I can't speak for Canada, but here in Australia, any one with experience in digital communications and/or qualifications in HV electrics will be well regarded.

That’s really kind of you to say—thank you for the advice! You're absolutely right—my main focus right now should be on becoming the best possible candidate to secure an apprenticeship at CAT.

In your opinion, what can I do over the next few months to improve my chances and stand out from other applicants? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, could you clarify what "digital communications" entails? I'm not entirely sure what that refers to.

Thanks so much!

 

[Cmark]

Digital communications could include
Networking.
IP.
Satellite and radio comms.
Cabling.
That sort of thing.
Not necessarily on the machines either. Ground based infrastructure is also needed.
The future is remote control and semi/autonomous.