Be a machinist and you’ll never be without a job anywhere on the planet. Keep reaching within that realm of expertise and get into CNC programming, Solid Modeling, Tooling design, etc and test your innovative mechanical skills to the limit. You’ll always work inside, never out in the elements. **Inside Tip: Stick with CNC milling machines and stay away from CNC Lathes and stick with aerospace manufacturing. You’ll make quite a bit more money. Learn to be a good programmer and you’re looking at $120K+ and if you’re contract multi-axis programmer you’re looking at $200K+ pretty easy.
While I didn’t learn programming, I did set up and operate a CNC OD grinder for about 7 years. They are marvelous machines. I could make changes on program lines concerning speeds and feeds. At first it was scary- push a button and watch it go through the motions, but as my confidence and knowledge grew, I really began to enjoy it.