**Of course, I fat fingered the thread title and made myself look stupid**

I've spent the last 14 years in public safety dispatch and as an admin assistant because I never finished my bachelor's degree. 40, reality, and rising cost of living has hit me in the face....hard. I owe it to my mother to support her in retirement as she's helped me for so many years(for better or worse, and dad died decades ago so I'm all she has left)

I've been speaking with a recruiter at a local university about adding a process operations technology associates to my resume once I finish my bachelor's this spring. I've wanted to go into the field for many years, and should have done this a decade ago.

At 39-40, do i have any real prospects of being hired in a plant as an operator? I don't really know where to turn if that answer is a no.

I wouldn't hesitate to hire a 40 year old operator with an associates degree.

Valero Houston is hiring for operators currently . My plant in Texas City just had our hiring window open but it's been closed for a few days. Our new hires are all over in ages. I got hired as an operator at 34. Some of our most recent class were over 40. Email me at username at gmail and I can send you the Houston info if you'd like. Can't get it to link here.

That actually makes me feel a lot better seeing positive responses.

Jab ill shoot you an email, but im not sure I'm physically ready/able to do all the climbing and hugh heat environments yet... still, might not hurt to get it going.

You'll have a better chance if you're physically fit.

Working hard to accomplish that as fast as I possibly can

Worked the last 14 years on 12hr shifts. I've never done it outside, but I've only ever done shift work until the last 10 months.

Im also willing to take advice on other careers or paths to look at.

Do you need to be physically located with your mother? Or just provide financial stability? The Permian needs operators in a bad way and many will hire on a 14/14 rotation.

Depends on pay and the circumstances. Im probably not in good enough physical shape to jump off on that kind of rotation right now... what companies/kind of positions is it?

So I've been seeing postings for pipeline controller or operator...requirements are a bit lower, tons of positions all over the houston area. Seems to be mostly board operation type positions?

Anyone do that role, or know someone who does?

Ag_of_08 said:

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So I've been seeing postings for pipeline controller or operator...requirements are a bit lower, tons of positions all over the houston area. Seems to be mostly board operation type positions?

Anyone do that role, or know someone who does?

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I've ran 3 of the 4 largest control rooms in North America. Happy to give you any pointers. I started as a controller and was a Director within 8 years.

Being a pipeline controller is a great career that is pretty low stress and great pay, but it is not for everyone. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

Is there an email I could catch you at?

I'm mainly worried about how hard it is to get on and what kind of job stability there is.

Should be in my profile.

Controllers are pretty stable careers. I have been through 4 mergers in my career in a Control Room and no one was ever let go. Even when Enron fell, the Control Room staff was untouched and just got sold off and it was business as usual.

As far as getting into a shop, Just apply and network. Controllers are always moving around so there should be a lot of openings at Enterprise, Energy Transfer, Kinder Morgan, Atmos, Centerpoint, and so on.

Emailed you, thank you and everyone who has had input for the help

Have you considered a Federal job in your area? Like a local Federal courthouse or agency? Had a relative that did this after Tx A M and it was a good job and eventually led to another good job in a related field with an oil/ gas company.

Hoyt Ag said:

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Should be in my profile.

Controllers are pretty stable careers. I have been through 4 mergers in my career in a Control Room and no one was ever let go. Even when Enron fell, the Control Room staff was untouched and just got sold off and it was business as usual.

As far as getting into a shop, Just apply and network. Controllers are always moving around so there should be a lot of openings at Enterprise, Energy Transfer, Kinder Morgan, Atmos, Centerpoint, and so on.

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I shot you an email, not sure if you got a chance to look at it.

Started putting in some early apps yesterday...already gotnone rejection, we'll see where the other goes.

For some reason Google has locked me out of my email address. It is especially fun since all my google accounts go to one master account. I will reply when I get this all figured out.

Oh no! I just wanted to make sure it didn't die in a spam folder, no worries at all and thank you.