Crossroad in my life. Anyone hiring?

Some one once said if you have to think about it is the wrong decision. Give it some time and the right opportunity will just show up and it will be a no brainier.

2 cents

 

This is exactly whats going through my head right now.

 

There is a lot of new electrical stuff going into new cars, and it will trickle down to the Hot Rod world. Id say go down that route, and you will have a good income. You could probably start working from home.

Then you can learn how to shape metal on your spare time, and see if you could like it a lot, to go professional in that area.


My father did not allow me to work with cars as an professional, so ive spent 40 years fiddling with cars on my spare time, and loved every minute of it. Just work with Computersupport during daytime, and hammer and welding during the nights. Best of both worlds ;-)

 

I hope an opportunity does come along. What a glorious day that would be. Any takers?

 

just a couple things to keep in mind,

some people have a hard time turning their hobby into a job, their hobby then becomes an actual job with the same everyday bullshit like any job, so be careful. And I have seen people say "that wont happen with me" and then down the road they sell off all their cars.

you're young, so you have time on your side which ever way you go.

Union jobs are a pretty sweet deal, and electricians will always be in demand.

But there are dream jobs out there, and their are jobs people actually enjoy doing, and I completely agree that happiness is more important than money. I wish you luck with whatever you decide.

 

Thanks to everyone so far for your input. Its reasons like this that i became an Alliance member so early in joining the site, this place is worth supporting when you get this kind of response from members.


Trevor

 

Well here's my take on it. I worked for a local rod shop. My experience there was not a good one since the shop was not manged well and I left to find a steady paycheck. I regret to this day that I did not go to other shops in town and keep plugging away. There are several shop in the Houston area that have great reputations but I was hurting and in need of a job to feed the family. I will always feel like I missed an opportunity to pursue my passion for cars. I have been building my own stuff and do some work for others and I'm alway asked "Why don't you do this for a living?" I now have a good job and enjoy what I do but I know that I missed out on something. If you can find a shop that will give you a chance to do a little bit of everything I would go for it. Having the wife's support is most important part!

 

Just remember dude, your dream job isn't necessarily working on YOUR car in YOUR garage on YOUR clock. It may not be doing the parts you like and the ones you don't.

Shit man, I never thought my dream job would include jumping the wall at a drag racing national event, organizing a street race on an airport runway during a Grand Prix race, shooting photos of a bikini contest or tech inspecting a pro stock car. I do sales, I do marketing, I do operations, I to pr, I do bikini malfunctions... I do it all, even though you NEVER could have convinced me any of that would be part of my dream job.

I'm just lucky enough to have the opportunity to find new things I love daily as part of what I get paid for. I may have the opportunity to work on some monster trucks in the future! Wouldn't that be cool?

 

Well you are on the right track. You are lucky to find out at your age, this is not what you want. Let me tell you somethings I have learned.
1ST listen to yourself,do what you want to do. 2ND have support,sounds like you do from your wife. 3RD, money is not everything happiness is. I listened to my father, mother and grandparents my whole life, I did what everyone thought I should do, I had a very successful career, But I was not happy. July of this year, I walked away from a very high paying job, I was making in the six figures, a job where my Christmas bonus, was more than most people make a year. I came home and told my wife I had left my job in the Banking field, the first thing she did was hug me,and said it was about time. You have to find yourself,do what makes you happy. For me that was getting out of a fast paced job, with lots of stress. I am 42 years old and finally happy. Right now I am working part time at a auto parts store and taking some art and mechanics classes at the local Jr. college. Remember live your own life, you only get one,and if you not happy, you cannot make others happy. Good luck to you.

 

I love my "job" and so should everyone. Find your passion, do it for a living, then you are having fun and making money at the same time. Its all about quality of life!

 

I'm a couple years older than you, but had the sort of same epiphany myself. I had a great union job, really good pay, etc., but got laid off. So I bounced jobs, and realized, I didn't wanna do what I was doing. Got on the internet, and searched out an aviation job, which I'd had in the past an loved. With alot of blind luck, I got a really good job in a new place (here in Tennessee- I'm from Michigan) and I don't dread getting up and going to work in the morning. However, my wife and kids still live in Detroit (anyone need a house, ours is for sale ) so I only get to see my kids once a month for awhile. Hopefully that'll work itself out soon.

My advice, use your skills in a hot rod related field, but not nessisarly on rods all the time.

My two cents,

Jay

 

These are important decisions you are trying to make and I can understand your frustrations. Here are some things I know and I only know these because of the dumb mistakes I have made in my ownlife.

Just because I like working on my cars doesn't mean I am good at it and even if I am good at it doesn't mean I can make a living doing that.

I don't always know the next right to do but, it seems that I always know the next wrong thing to do.

Find a short temporary job in a rod shop and take your annual vacation from the Electrician job and work at the Rod Shop see how you like it. If you like it go get some more education and build your skills. Education and skills will never let you down no matter what you choose to do. Just because you can build a kick ass car or custom doesn't make you a good business Manager or give you capabilities to run a profit making business or even be able to keep the doors open. Meanwhile you have a wife who will be be depending on you and maybe supporting you.

What ever you do move with a cleardefined plan that has time lines and small achievable goals. Don't ever stop making these small goals for yourself they end up in huge success.

 

I know this will sound cliche....but someone told me once"find a job doing something you love doing and you wont work another day in your life"....well it sounds like that is what your trying to do....any how ...why not start calling some shops an a area your willing to move to....see if they are looking for an intern or someone that is willing to work for next to nothing in exchange for knowledge and you should be on your way to your dream.....good luck...which ever way you decide to turn....

 

Do it while your young. Im 45 and just Quit my $25 an hour job after 26 years because I feel the same as you. Not even going to think about what im going to do till the first of the year. Good luck, Jim

 

I have no idea where to start with this also. I live in milwaukee and as far as i know there arent any shops in this area.

Anyone know of some shops in the Milwaukee / Chicago area I could contact?

Thanks everyone.

 

Just don't ruin a good hobby

 

A suggestion for the learning part...buy a hot rod that needs some work (but is basically a good car), and do the work on it, and sell it. Do this a few times, each car will teach you more than you can learn at any school. We'll all be here to help you figure out the answers to your car problems.

Then when you have a few cars under your belt, you can have a better feel for how much you enjoy the work.

In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to see about welding/mechanic/machine classes at a community college.

One thing that kind of bugs me is that you're 26 and still haven't learned to do all this car stuff on your own....I did my first carb rebuild when I was in 8th grade, then the next year I overhauled my first engine (pretty much on my own). But I did grow up in a different era, when I was a teenager the neighbors all had 1950s-60s cars sitting around that needed work.

 

Take your electrical skills and start your own electrical business and work for yourself and set your goals and do whatever you want to do. With that kind of skill, you can work for yourself pretty easily. Start small and go from there and always be willing to learn and grow. I am guessing you became an electrician for a reason and maybe you are forgetting it. But, regardless, if you make it your own thing, you will find it much more rewarding. But, I'll warn you, having your own business is a hell of a lot of work, way more than working for someone else, and full of hard lessons too. But, you will likely be much more satisfied and when you feel like taking a day off to work on your hotrods, you can do it whenever you want. That is what I would do if I were you. Being an electrician, you can get a shop too and combine your business with your hobby to some degree too, space-wise and cost.

 

just don't use wirenuts on a car!

 

You'll need tunes to get you through the Crossroads...

Cream...crossroads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l16jlallBMs

 

what about j-boxes and conduit? I used Romex for my trucks and converted everything over to 120/220V.

 

I can relate, today is one of those day I really hate my job. It pays really well and I have some status but god do I hate it.

I keep wanting to mess around with cars and started selling parts, cars & other stuff on ebay. It keeps growing and growing and I hope one day to stop coming over here for anything other than drinking and looking for old cars.

However, take heed of what the "you'll get burned out" guys are saying. I used to love to sell stuff on ebay, now it's sorta feeling like work. That's why I don't think I want to build/restore/sell cars for a living. Something related but not exactly dead on my hobby.

 

Bingo... that's the key

 

Ive done and do both.. Ac /Dc.. its not that big of a deal.. But if i was in your shoes maybe id think about a different company but still the same trade.. I sure wish id have done electrical 30 years ago.. I just got my yearly evaluation working in a shop as a machine builder and programmer and all around hey Dave can you fix this? guy.. Got all of 28 cents What is the inflation rate ???
Money is good and big money is better..
Think Hard my son.. Im 56 and if i could retire today i would.. Make the big bucks while you can and you can retire early then the fucking ball is really in your court.. Oh ya that means putting up with total assholes every day and dumb fucks too.. Remember they are everywhere even if you go out on your own..
Dave

 

My advice is to find a career that you enjoy.

My Godfather told me once that everybody has to work, so why not work doing something you love?

Money will come and money will go. Who cares how much money you are making if you are unsatisfied with your career. Your profession becomes a major aspect of who you are in the "adult" world, why not do something you like.

I entered a field that I thought I would like right after college and was burnt out after 2 years. I followed my heart and my passion and now have a job that I love and work in an industry that I am passionate about.

In the end...follow your heart Brother...all else will fall in to place.

Just my $.02...

 

Find a decent job with a good retirement you can tolerate and pursue your passions with your spare time.I changed jobs a few times in my life thinking the next job would be better.What I forgot about was retirement.At 49 years of age I now must except I will be working for someone else until I die.I have friends the same age that will be retiring soon.Please dont ever lose your passion but do look a little into the future.Good luck to you and your wife in all that you do.
Chris

 

I found a career I enjoy and I am younger than you O.P. You could come work for me, but it would pay a lot less than an electrician makes. my website www.CarParts4sale.com started from the ground up.

 

You could use a dealership as a stepping stone. It's an easy way to get experience. A lot of dealers will send you to manufacturer school. They hire guys with little or no experience as an apprentice. They will usually pay for you to take ASE test too. These test are not to hard. You can get master certified and have a little dealer experience under your belt and that will look good on your resume.

I've been in a Jaguar dealer for 7 years now. Started with no experience. now I'm Master tech and completely factory trained. I'm also the shop foreman.

You would not have to stay in a dealer more than a year or 2. After that your not really learing much in a dealer anyway.

Like others have said, use your electrical skills. Thats what most mechanics hate. If you are good at electrical it will take you a long way.

I'm looking for something better now myself. I'm trying to get a buisness going in my spare time. It's hard but I think it will be worth it.

Mike

 

is this a job interview or Dr.Phil??