Didn't think to mention it in my earlier post, but when you're searching for a career to build, also think of WHERE the jobs are. I couldn't live in a big city, and wouldn't live in suburbia again. Other than the car culture and Disneyland, I hope to never go to southern california again. If you can live in densely populated areas, you can generally pick any career. If you want to live more rural lifestyle, you gotta pick a career that has jobs out there. I can live rurally, but I travel the whole state for work, sometimes covering it from corner to corner within a week.
I went for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Worked in the specialty electronics and device field for 5 years, then material analysis (acoustics). THEN went into the Civil Engineering field, doing a good amount of bridge design. Point being - be well rounded. The devices I worked on was mostly military, and automotive. But guess what, end of the 90's, that market kind of fell out around here - no work. Got a job working in a acoustical lab doing acoustic property tests on materials. No money in that though, and it wasn't floating my fancy much. A friend turned me on to his neighbor that was lead at a local civil engineer looking for someone with mechanical experience and IT experience. which both i had. Civil is filled with a lot of whiny people, and those that take things for granted but it offers some great oppurtunities. Worked for them for 6 years, when I was offered a teaching a position at a local college - teaching college sucks. Did some application engineering for AutoCAD as well. But now I'm back at another civil engineer doing bridge work and IT, and building up collateral to get a motorcycle resto gig going. All this and i originally went for planetary physics. Anyhow, my point being - you'll never know where you'll end up, so the best thing you can do is always be willing to learn something new.
LOL. Funny, I actually started school as a physics major and my initial goal was to go into the astronomy/cosmology arena... Then I got wise and realized I would be happier studying things I could put my hands on and I would be better off keeping my interest/passion for the other stuff seperate from my degree. I switched to engineering and never looked back, but I must say Stellar Astronomy was one of my favorite classes ever. - Matt
BA in Biology 1971 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 1988 Great field and a rewarding career,not much time to work on the cars.
I started out in Engineering at U of M... hated it, and wound up with a degree in Print Journalism/Communications. It wouldn't pay shit for the cars so I went to work for AT&T as a supervisor. Now I'm just about as broke as everone else I know. ;-)
If you do not think you have applied your talents to the best path, and I'm talking to Dooce here...then keep learning and exploring. A tech degree is a specialized body of knowledge and background prep. We ALL know folks who are top shelf in their work...and not all of them necessarily have a degree! Long ago I stopped making comparisons of Education vs Experience...most employers use it to fill a position, but from that point on, either with or without, you have to satisfy yourself first, then the powers-that-be. Wasn't M/T a janitor for the LA Times?
BA in Journalism, minored in creative writing, and studied ethics and social policy (the college I attended required an out-of-major theme)...with all that knowledge, you'd think my posts would be written better The writing industry is interesting...like many others, you have to love it and be willing to scrape by for years in hopes of getting your big break. My suggestion (along with almost everyone else who's posted) is to follow your heart and not the almighty dollar. I got frustrated in my writing career and ended up chasing a paycheck in the IT industry. I went back to school and got a few certifications and ended up landing a job as a Network Engineer (telecommunications specialist). The money is good, but that only goes so far...I'm already trying to re-kindle my writing career. I suppose it's not all bad...I have a steady job and time to write and build cars. In these times, that's pretty fortunate for most. And,,,I did take a bunch of courses in Automotive Tech and was signed up and ready to ship off to UTI when I realized I couldn't be happy working on other people's cars. Changing your mind is not a bad thing. Good luck. **Edit: Damn Mercman...Deja vu all over again Bryan
There is some good advice on here, much better than the crap the careers teacher told me before I left school. I was (are?) stupid. I was lucky enough to win a full scholarship to study Psychology in my last year of high school. I was also offered a partial scholarship in fine art that I turned down as I didn't think I was much of an artist. With the kind of stupidity that wins Darwin awards I dropped psychology in my first year as I lost interest, I didn't really earn it so I didn't appreciate how good I had it. I left to join the Army, now this I will NEVER regret. I became a Medic on a spur of the moment decision, the best decision of my life as it turned out. I found out I had a flair for the job and loved it passionately. I served some years working my way up the ladder as a Medic until I hit 'the big time' in passing selection into Special Forces I was one of 8 out of over 2,500 applicants to pass and man I am more proud of that accomplishment than anything else. I thought I was a good Medic until then. Man I needed to know more. So.... Masters Degree in Paramedical Science, Diploma in Pre-Hospital Care, Diploma in Aviation Medicine, Now I can go places! I start on a bad day at $48 an hour. This month I may be starting a new contract that pays me US$500 a day. I work in the environment I love and I get the satisfaction of helping people. If there is a lesson in all this crap its do something in a field that holds ALL of your attention! Do not chase the dollars! If you work in what you love, you will naturally be better at it, apply yourself better and do better. You will find then, that the dollars will follow. Remember, just the fact that you have accomplished a degree says a LOT about you to an employer regardless of the subject matter being relevant to the particular job. It tells them you can apply yourself, you are trainable, you can assimilate information and you are intelligent! I applied to study Psych again and on a hunch also applied to study medicine. Well, I BS'd them so well I have been accepted into both! See, a little education opens doors for you. Don't hesitate, go out an do some good 'ol down home learnin'. Cheers, Doc.
I've got a PhD in biochemistry, Hopkins just last year. My best advice is to stay away from student loans if at all possible. I paid for my BS at UMD by working fulltime while there, and the PhD program was paid for by NIH. Good deal and do massive debt after school. But I still sell auto parts on the side to afford my car and bikes. go figure.... Get as much education as you can, but ultimately its all about hard work. I don't think anyone here needs to be told that.
Get a degree in something u enjoy. My teachers in high school told me i could never make a living working on cars but after tech school and a year and a half at a ford dealer i make more then they do
AB (Associate of Business) in Computer Programming BA in Information Technology Certified Hyperion Essbase developer Will work on my MAcc and CPA when my wife finishes school. I work doing database stuff for accountants. I have held many jobs over the past few years, but have finally found something I really enjoy. Work is much easier when you get up everyday and look forward to coming in.
(QUOTE) "Get as much education as you can, but ultimately its all about hard work. I don't think anyone here needs to be told that." That is a fact! The saying I have heard is "What you will get back out of life, will be directly proportional to what you put into it." Whatever trade you choose, If you cannot get yourself up in the morning, and be anxious to go to work,..... don't complain about the things that don't come to you.
I started working in machine shops right out of high school in 1964,worked my way up to aircraft tool and die maker in the early '80s and then dropped out of the industry in '89 when everything started becoming computer controlled and the tool and die shop became just a bunch of "machine operators". As I have always enjoyed working "hands on", and enjoyed working on things from the time I could figure out how to hold a wrench, and in the mid '80s had gotten my pilots license and a small aircraft, (we have a 1946 Aeronca Champ, 90hp) I self educated into aviation mechanics and in the '90s got my A&P license and in '04 added the I. A. to the A&P so I now have the "magic pen" and can sign off Annual Inspections and all that good stuff. I have become self employed the last few years and can be selective and work on the kind of stuff I like. Primarily vintage and antique aircraft. I'm at the point of my life that time to do what I want is more important than making lots of money, and though there are airline jobs out there that would probably pay well, I'm not interested in working night or graveyard shift and enjoy being "self semi-retired". I primarily work out of our hangar, and only have to drive 3 or 4 miles each way to work, and have the ability to take time to run errands or whatever needs to be done when the need arises. Then again, I'm not going to die wealthy but I'll probably die with a smile on my face. If you can find a career and degree that will make you rich doing something you love, go for it. I just never was into school stuff and learned my skills on the run so to speak, but I'd rather be broke and happy than making bundles of money and hating to go to work each day. Follow your heart, not your pocket book. It's hard to do but in the long run you won't regret it.
I told my boys this all the time the were growing up and still believe it. The oldest boy has a degree from the Air Force Academy in Engineering Mechanics and flies F-16s while the younger one is finishing up a Fine Arts degree in Graphic Arts. More importantly I taught them that it isn't how much you earn as it is how much you keep and save! I am debt free (totally) no house payment, car payments, credit cards, etc. This where most people fall into a trap set by the fine folks who want you to buy their products. Credit while useful should be reserved for non-depreciating purchases (home mortgage) and you should be paying your self by saving and investing. I started out working in a steel fabricating plant at age 18, then moved into drywall construction before attending a vocational class to become a machinist. I worked for a few years running CNC and manual machines. I switched to Information Technology in the mid 90s and still work in a IT related field. The most important part in all my rambling was the "save and invest" while controlling the I gotta have it now let's charge it attitude. Being successful isn't about how much you earn as much as it is abbout how well you manage. Good luck to you, Larry
I'm currently an Industrial Millwright. Gives me the chance to fix stuff and make decent money. I'm pretty happy. Only way I'd be happier is if I was hot rodding cars for a living.
Like has been said before: "You gotta like what you do"! AMEN! Hell, you spend most of your waking lifetime at work, which is what I tell the guys when I have them clean up the shop. My bay at work IS my living room. Let me add this as well......... I would bet very few of us on here make more than a decent wage. Here's what I do to get around that... 1) Keep an eye open for any deals that come your way. I bought a '71 Honda 600 sedan for $300, cleaned it up (another $200) and sold it for $2300 - that pays for my '32 frame. 2) Live debt-free as much as possible. Less money wasted on interest is more money for your car. 3) Always charge a fair price for side work. Just having a project car brings family, neighbours and friends over for repairs. I get $40/hr for anyone not living under my roof. 4) Only do one project at a time. I have 3, but my wife keeps her foot in my ass to get hers done first. I really appreciate that in her! Otherwise, I'd have 5 cars apart, and never get done. 5) Allocate funds. If you make some money reselling car stuff on ebay, horse-trading, side work, etc.... it all goes into your project funds. I don't even buy a hamburger with my "Model A Sedan" money. My wife has her own "50 Burb" funds as well. Oh, since you asked, I have an Assoc degree in automotive from Ranken Tech in St.Louis. It, and my 9 ASE certs, do nothing for me once I'm in the door.
Biggest key to getting ahead is living w/in your means and not going into debt. Lots of different ways to make $$$, but a good education is a big help. As for degrees, I have BS and JD. Wife has BS, CPA and MBA.
I've got AAS degree in Diesel Service Management. I was seeking a position as an entry level diesel technician (the degree was just to help me advance to management if I wanted to in the future) when I got an offer to drive a truck instead. I was a little apprehensive about driving a truck instead of doing what I just spent a bunch of money and time I just spent to get my degree, but I'm fairly happy with my decision. I don't make all that much money, but the job is great. I get paid to drive around. How great is that?!
Went to school at a local community college in Grand Rapids, for Autotech. While I was going to school there I started working as hired help at a product development company my mom was a graphic package designer for. I worked my way up so to speak, in this company while still getting my degree at the community college. When the company moved to MN, I jumped ship to a sister company of this one, being a store level sales rep. for mulitple company lines. Its interesting, you're somewhere different everyday, its a lot of driving(about 4,000 a month), but the company gives me a new mini van every 1 1/2 years or so. I assemble/repair displays, build relationships with store managers etc. I figure it gives me great business/sales knowledge if I decide to jump back into the automotive industry. At 23 though im still the youngest person within the company and the pay is great for someone my age(just bought a house by myself this spring). I really would like to work at a dealership someday down the road, but michigan is struggling bad right now. My instructor from college called me this past spring asking what I was up to, told him, and got to talking about how a lot of the students that graduate are moving out of the state to find a job in the auto industry as they are scarce here unless you know someone, or want to change oil.
Originally....I was intending to be a commercial artist.....then I got to dabbling around in gynocology........the rest is history...LMAO
graduate of the school of hard knocks .. 30 year towboat captain , i am a licensed master of towing vessels for the inland and western rivers of the united states and the great lakes.. LMFAO and im just a masterbaiter!!
B.F.A. Visual Communications.....fancy term for Photography and Graphic Design Im a fabricator in a sign shop. I also run the CNC equipment and a do a small bit of CAD and part design. I love what I do. It keeps my mind and my hands working all day. I can't sit still long enough to work behind a desk. I have to physically do something. Fabricating....anything...is what i love. A small obsession with vintage signs, sculpture, and artwork led me to what i do now. I will get myself into school for Neon bending as soon as funds allow. I still shoot photos for extra money, buy and sell parts, and do some side work here and there. I have only the necessary bills and keep my life simple. Thats the way i like it and it keeps me happy
I have no degree but I have 8 years USAF from weapons loader to weapons system maintenance technician to water systems maintenance specialist. Then worked several years in construction from rough framing to trim work, and lastly I ran my own custom residential trim work company. One day the sun had shown brightly on me and I was offered a job working for a Commercial Property Development company where I am now resposible for 1.5 million square feet of Class A office space. Well... With three other people. I am a "Facilities Maintenance Coordinator" or at least that is what I'm told.
B.A. in English (I speak it, can't be that hard!) and will be starting a Masters of Divinity at Seminary next week... yep, I wanna be in the ministry... College ministry to be specific... This just shows that I don't REALLY want any extra money for Hot Rods..
Dear Ot, I have a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in studio art. I also have a teaching credential and am a teacher. I worked in the tool and die trade while going to college and really can't think of a better job than teaching. It's not for everyone but where I work I make a decent living and more importantly have time for my family. Like everyone else is saying find something you enjoy, or at least are good at and go for it, this will pay off in spades over time. Seth
I have a bachelors degree in environmental science and a associate of applied science in horticulture. I am working at a parts store while looking for a job.
The Jalopy Journal
