Just a little while ago I started college at the nearest community college as an assosicates in automotive technology. I knew then that cars wasnt my dream i was just so undetermined with my life i picked a trade that I knew nothing about. I can tell auto isnt something i wanna do for the rest of my life but i still wanna learn the trade and get a job in a shop to use that trade and make good pay until i figure out what i wanna do in life. Which means theres no reason for the assosicates degree i could just get a certficate. What im trying to figure out is, this doesnt seem like a quiters attitude does it? I dont know what id wanna go back for. But auto seemed good for now cause i wanna put in hard work before i get some job sitting in a office all day.
That's true Distant. Except one doesn't want to get stuck at one of thjose drive thru oil change toilets! That one is a noplace job for the mechanic with the skills to read the computer errors in these newer models. That's where the money is in the auto repair fields.
For myself I've changed fields several times in my 58 years. I seem to burn out after about 10 years of doing the same thing. Have been a truck driver, a registered nurse, a ships capitain, and now own a heating business for the last 10 years. Am feeling burn-out right around the corner. It's harder now as I'm looking hard at hitting 60. Your 17 you have alot of time to figure it out.......Alaskan
I've been a farm worker, coal miner, surveyor, then mine superintendent and got my associates at night, then purchasing agent. Then a hunter and fur trapper while I was finishing the A.S., on to get a Bachelor's in Finance. From there I was a financial controller at a mine, laid off, ended up a dBASE programmer for a heavy mfg company, a fire engine company, laid off, bookkeeper and then managing accountant for an advertising firm, then temped doing computer work until I got a job as a mainframe operator. Loved that job, find http://bofh.ntk.net/ on the net and you have a good idea - except we were a lot nicer. Got cancer, finally got back to work as an AS400 operator, got fired. Filed for disability since my health had gone to hell gradually after the lung cancer. Stuck in the gaps are some time spent as a radio announcer and as a motorcycle mechanic assembling Pentons and Triumphs, and a little time as a blaster. I'm 55. We've had good times, tight ties, and financially scary times, but we've make it through all of them. Had a lot of fun at most, was miserable at some. In today's world you need to be constantly watching for the next job, and getting the training you'll need for it before you get "downsized".
I wouldnt worry. With a piece of paper that says you know cars, you have insurance wherever you end up. Always a need for craftsmen and laborers. Pursue whichever line of work you want, then if you're desperate you can fall back on your mechanic skills.
