Starting Out, in search of a Mentor.

[Shane Short]

Hey everyone! 

I just wanted to put myself out there, and see what opportunities exist. I am looking for a Mentor, I understand that asking someone to give up their time and energy for me, for very little in return is asking a lot, so I wanted to see if anyone had ideas to help me along my journey!

I'm 23 years old, and I've been reading about REI for 2-3 years now. In the meantime, I've been making it my goal to pay off as much of my debt as possible so I can start out with a clean slate. Though I've paid off a very large portion of it, I'm starting to realize that I'm wasting valuable time that could be used to build a portfolio, build my education/ foundation, etc. I've realized that debt is more of a fear, and I need to use it as leverage, and a learning experience, and to stop letting it prevent me from bettering myself.

I currently work full time here in Portland, OR at Intel. I have a very good, and steady job. I have a decent savings account, and I have a steady income that I could use to my benefit. I work 3 nights one week, and 4 the next, giving me 3 - 4 days off a week. And since I work nights, if anything comes up, I have all day-time hours available throughout the week. 

Ideally, I'm looking for someone that wouldn't mind mentoring me, but like I said earlier, I completely understand that time is someones most valuable asset, and I understand that it would help if I had something to offer in return. I grew up working construction/ farming (no i'm not misspelling framing, I mean farming) with my family, it built a solid foundation for working with my hands, so I can offer most all face-lift type work, drywall, maintenance work, roofing, landscaping, painting, etc, along with operating almost all heavy equipment, from loaders to SkyTracks, to basic things like chainsaws, and different hand/power tools. I used to own an HVAC company until we sold it, so I can offer different types of refrigeration and HVAC work, including Duct, and Dryer Vent Cleaning. I'm currently an Engineer, and I know my way around electrical pretty well, along with troubleshooting various different types of equipment. I'm in school for Software Programming, so I can offer basic websites, website work, and updates. Last but not least, I also dabble with the stock market, I'm by no means saying that I'm an expert, or that I have a great portfolio to show, but I have read a lot of investment books, and have some basic experience with it, and I believe that it will help me in my journey in REI.

I'm willing to help in any way, as long as its a fair trade. I'm not sure how mentoring typically works, but I'm open for anything. REI is a passion of mine, and its the key to my dream life, not riches and material things, but a life that I can spend a majority of my time with my future family, and my wife, and traveling. A life that is worth living, and a life that in the end, I can look back on with satisfaction knowing I got to use MY most precious asset, Time, doing the things I cherish most.

I welcome any ideas or criticism as to what you all may think I'm doing wrong, or as far as what tree I should bark up, and where that tree is. 

Regards,

Shane Short