Crossroad in my life. Anyone hiring?

I came to the conclusion that i need a change of pace in my life and my wife agrees. I'm currently a union electrician and I don't enjoy what I do for a living anymore. i dread waking up in the morning and doing something I don't think i was meant to do. Money isn't important to me. Happiness is.

I know what you are all thinking "nobody enjoys what they do for a living, if they did it wouldn't be a job." But i can't and won't believe thats true.

Ever since I was a kid I've been fascinated with things that go fast. Cars, bikes, planes... you get the picture. My father is a bodyman, has been for the past 33 years. My grandpa used to race cars at the local dragstrip and owned service stations for the most part of his life. So the stories growing up and the knowledge from my family over the years has had a great part in my passion.

When i graduated highschool in 2000 (yeah i know what you are thinking, what a young buck) my dad told me that if i became a bodyman like him he was going to bring his hammer home from work and beat some sense into me.

Even though I haven't had as much car experience as a lot of guys or have the schooling in the automotive field I feel as though its where i belong, and its where I wish I was.

My whole reason for this thread is to get some input from you older guys as to where to turn next. I'm an extremely fast learner, I'm great with my hands, I'm great with tools, I have a pretty darn good memory, and an intense personality. I want to know where to start to get into the custom car industry per say.

If someone has a shop thats looking for a hot rod hopeful or just someone to basically take under their wing and show and teach them the ropes of custom car building, this is where you all come into play. There really aren't any speed shops or custom shops in Wisconsin so I don't know who to talk to here. I'm willing to move anywhere and money (pay) really isn't important if a job is offered.

If anyone can give some insight or knowledge please feel free to email me at inkundone@mac.com or PM me.


Thanks in advance. -Trevor-

 

Touch your nose, turn around three times and BANG! you're in your sixties. The best time to think of a retirement is when you're sort of young. Like all old musicians know, keep your day job until your night job pays.

Your union job pays well. Money can't buy happiness, but it does buy hot rod stuff. Don't burn your bridges, Trevor.

 

On the other hand...how about taking your electrical knowledge and retraining yourself as a hotrod wiring specialist?? 90% of hotrodders can do anything with steel but are terrified when the wire comes out. This could be a roving job, going to specialist shops and rodder's homes for travel, continual change of scene, and variety...and unlike building wiring, every job would be a different stack of challenges and there would be a premium on craftyness, not just doing it all by the same code day after day.

 

Im not really burning any bridges. I have my union card for good, no one can take it away. I can always fall back on that. I'm just not passionate about what I'm doing. Worrying about where the next dollar is going to come from or about my retirement isn't really a concern. I appreciate your advice though Phil. But right now I'm more concerned with the happiness aspect versus the money aspect.

 

Bruce you bring up a great point that I never thought about. I've been so focused on the metal and engine aspect and didn't think about the electrical aspect. Although automotive and commercial/industrial wiring are different evils (AC versus DC) its all along the same lines. And maybe i could even learn frame building and metal working while i complete electrical issues. Hmm...

 

Good for you for not believing it. I'm very happy at my job. BUT with that being said, you still have to make enough money to pay your bills. Only YOu and your wife can determine if you can take a huge reduction in pay and still keep your head above water. Also keep in mind retirement. You want to work till you drop dead or retire at an early age with your health still intact? There's certainly something to be said for a union position.

 

You got to do what you feel in your heart is right. I believe happiness starts with this. If you don't act on what you think is a right fit for yourself, your true "gut instinct" you will never get there.

 

I wouldn't go crazy quitting my job in this economy, unless you can do something no one else can do, a union job is a safe bet. Sales at my company are down, bonuses and hours have been cut, and the 401k matching has been slashed. Our sales depend on our customer's production volume. We make stuff for many different industries, and its all slowing. The only booming industry around here is construction, and that will (has to) slow down soon. If you make good money, wait it out. After the election, the economy will gain, and THEN you can go job shopping. my .02

 

Ok, I'm not trying to come off sounding like a rude ass by any means, but I understand the financial situation I'm going to be putting myself in. Thats not the reason for my post.

I'm really looking to find out where to go from here. I don't know the next step, and I was kind of hoping someone knew the step or was willing to give me the platform to step onto.

 

I know a lot of shops in California are overbooked for work. The problem arises when a shop can't take the time to train. That's why schools like Wyotech are training metal fab now.

A friend of mine has his own shop. He builds extremely high end rods and customs. Lately, his builds seem to be in the $250K range. However, he has no time for his own personal rods. One of his owns rods has been in the shop since 99' and still looks the same.

I hate my job but it pays the bills. The pension is also great. I will make as much money retired as I do working. Plus overtime allows me to invest in my hobby without affecting the family budget.

I would try an automotive school and see if you like it. Maybe they have night classes so it won't affect your day job.

 

Follow your passion man! That's what this hobby is all about. If you have the chance to blend your hobby with a livelyhood more power to you!

There is an awesome hot rod shop Hot Rod Chassis and Cycle in Addison, IL not all that far from Milwaukee. They are having an open house on Dec 27th. I don't know if they are hiring, but it might be worth your while to attend.

Good Luck in Your Future Endeavors!

 

I think the next step is to sit down and plan survival issues for 2 or 3 years...or whatever block of time seems necessary if education or such is needed. You gotta be able to eat and stay under a roof and your wife has to understand and approve of the insecurity of transition...then you are ready to jump. Once you figgerout which way you are jumping, of course!

 

I love cars, and since age 6 when I first saw American Graffiti I was hooked on hot rods. Sure, the "Dukes" injected a soft spot for well-done muscle cars, but flat is where it's at!

My other passion in life is helping people. Not sure what you like besides a car interest, but as a career paramedic/firefighter, I work 24 hours on and 72 off. Around here, most career departments will hire you with no training and put you through recruit class - paying you $35-40k + benefits right off the bat! Then, you work 24/72 after recruit class - so in 6 months, you now work 2 days each week, leaving PLENTY of time for hot rods or whatever you like. Perhaps a side job, wiring hot rods & customs. Perhaps apprenticing yourself in a body shop, learning metal shaping. You get the befits of 20 year, no age-restriction retirement, a steady paycheck, HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR FAMILY (a big perk) and time to play with cars, boats, drink beer and STILL raise a family.

No other way for me. I did things "the hard way" a decade ago. I knew best for me, damn the torpedoes attitude - got in a little too much trouble, did a little time - only to then get my shit together.

Whatever you decide, make sure you include your wife in the conversation all the way - learn from my mistakes!

Cheers,
Andrew

 

I don't mind my job, and it pays the bills and allows me to get cool hotrod stuff. I would see if you can take a car job on the weekends and see how it sits with you . Wiring a car is one thing I hate doing. You might end up hating it too.

 

You have to find some one that needs a shop bitch (sorry for the title) !
Do your job, part time ,to make money for the household and then work at the car shop part time for the learning!
You are young and strong and it won't hurt to much! Either way you will find out ,soon enough , what you really want to do!
If it was me ,I would work my ass off to build myself a garage in my back yard and learn by trail and error on my own stuff with my own friends.
(like I do now)
GOOD LUCK TO YA!

 

Trevor, I don't know that we can afford an apprentice right now. But we do need some electrical work done. Some outlets put in for welders and stuff like that. Maybe we could pay you to come down and do that on a Saturday? I'd love to use a HAMBer to do the work rather than some random electrician. We can talk more about your career change too. (click on the HRCC link for info on us)

 

Thanks!

Wow, that many people posted while I was typing?!

 

Harold your post is exactly the kind of information i was looking for.

To keep away from the financial and retirement aspect, just figure that I won the lottery and didn't have to worry about money now or in the future. (Obviously I haven't or I'd own more cars) But just completely take the money aspect out of this as if I was totally loaded and it didn't matter how I paid for anything.

Lets see where this goes now......

 

Here is the thing Trevor...
I have been in the I.T. industry in one way or another since 1990.
By 2002, I was sick of it and decided I needed a change. Sure, it paid well and it was stable but, I just wanted to prusue my passion. Custom motorcycles.I quit my job making sure I had a good, thick savings to fall back on until my new business got on it's feet.
Well, after 4 years of eating Raman soup, working 18 hours a day 7 days a week, loosing one house and falling behind on payments on another house, I am back in my boring, I.T. job but, there is a LOT to be said for being able to pay the bills.
Now, I look at my job as a way to support my hobby.

 

I appreciate all your guys input so far, this is awesome. I've been emailing myself all of these ideas (its faster than writing them down and then loosing the paper i wrote them down on amongst all my car magazines).

And Django I really don't do sidejobs for the simple fact that they usually go unappreciated considering I'm taking my personal time away to do work for someone else, but in your situation I'd be more than happy to help out with any shop wiring that you may have. Just send me a PM with your info and we can go from there.

 

Dream Jobs are out there man. And it doesn't matter that you're 26, so am I.

I'm basically a paid hot rodder.
Cash, travel, women, cars, drag strips, 401k.... the works.

Just put your head down and dig for it until you get it man.

 

I totally understand where you're coming from Trevor.....as I feel the same way at my job.....good pay, but afraid of finding something I'd be happier doing, as it wouldn't pay the same and I don't have the so called "qualifications/paperwork"......and I got a family to take care of. I DREAD going to work everyday. My wife fully supports me and says if I want to find something better (not necessarily more $$$) that we could make it work......it's a tough decision.

Sometimes these decisions just require closing your eyes and jumpin' in with both feet.......can you swim???

 

So, IF one were to take money out of the equation, because "that doesn't matter at all", why not just quit your job and work on your own stuff in your own garage? Why the hell would anyone elect to put up with a "job" if we didn't have to? I LOVE my job - but I sure wouldn't do it this often if the money aspect wasn't there.

Just another $.02

 

i clean up other peoples shit for a living... and i love my job. apply for a city job.

 

I'm totally ready to jump in. I have both the financial and wife support parts taken care of, the only problem right now is I don't know in which direction to jump or into who's pool to jump into.

 

I don't mind wireing either it's just most of the shit don't work when I'm done.

Ya have to go where your heart takes you to find happyness and it ain't always about money.

 

Well,
If money is no object, then maybe you can open up your own hotrod shop and hire a few guys to help out?

 

I totally would but its hard to do a lot of work on your own cars when you don't know where to start. I've been doing pretty good on my 28 chevy project but I'm kind of at that point where I dont know what to work on next because it all needs to be done. I'm at the point where I need to start learning more before i continue on my own stuff. I know a lot of you would say just do the trial and error thing, but theres only so many times you can screw something up before you try and learn where you went wrong.

 

Trevor...

You're lucky. You're at a young enough age that if you make a mistake in your career path you'll be young enough to restart without losing ground. No one works the same job nowadays for years and years...almost everyone job hops. Usually it's for increased pay but I'm sure there are a lot of people out there in your situation...they absolutely hate their job. It sounds like you've got the backing (financial and family) to make a change in your career...I hope someone here is able to offer you the chance to pursue it.

Best of luck...and Merry Christmas!

 

I'd open a shop but it would look really dumb if the owner of the shop (me) knew nothing about what was going on.

I'd like to have a couple of years of learning i think before i opened a place of my own. Ultimately that is my goal though in the long run.