I worked full time as an engineer for over 30 years. I ended up making very good pay, but had I to do it over again, I’d have gone into some kind of business of my own that allowed me some modicum of cash business, deductions, etc. and I’d have cheated my ass off on taxes. As it is, most of my work went up in taxes so some leech could sit on his ass.
I get it. But it looks like you cashed-in (don’t mean that in a negative way) while the market was hot. Now, we are living in the worst job market in decades.
>> “ but had I to do it over again, I’d have gone into some kind of business of my own that allowed me some modicum of cash business, deductions, etc.” <<
.
Professional Golf comes to mind...
The problem that I’ve seen in engineering in general is that 80 % are not likely to advance significantly, since it is really just another “service” job.
I’ve got a pile of resumes from people stuck in that reality.