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I think most of us knew you were wanting to get out of your current job for quite some time, even when you were trying to find alternative work in the same field.
Here's the unfortunate part, pay (i.e. compensation) is typically dependent on a few things: Required Prerequisite Training, and Desirability.
Let's put it in perspective.
Job 1: The work is fun, and career entry is easy.
Job 2: The work is fun, but career entry is difficult.
Job 3. The work is hard, but career entry is easy.
Job 4. The work is hard, and career entry is difficult.
The job with the most applicants is likely Job 1. Folks will suffer through low wages for a job that's enjoyable, so it won't pay high, and the job can be filled from folks from all walks of life, without a high requirement to perform the tasks. Job 2 will likely have less applicants because there are less qualified applicants competing, pay as a result might be higher, and the job is still fun. Job 3 will be similar to job 2, expect higher pay to compensate for the hard work, but you'll be competing with numerous individuals to get the job. Not everyone wants to work hard, remember? Job 4 will likely pay the best, the work will be difficult, but overachievers flock to this sort of thing, and career entry isn't a breeze either (think, doctors and lawyers).
So now the biggest thing to do is position yourself for one of these careers. You're in search of better financial incentives, but do not want to push for those additional skills (not trying to sound negative with that). As a result, your best pay options would probably come from Job category 3. The work will be difficult in numerous ways, whether that's physical or mental, but hopefully you won't have to use lots of certificates to get in the job.
I had an awful lot of friends in college who earned degrees in Automotive Technology and are doing well for themselves. Several of them turned wrenches for a bit, but most have worked their way onto management positions, sales, product testing, etc. Turning the wrench can be a very rewarding job, and for a lot of folks, it's a perfect existence that offers you upto side work, odd jobs, etc...If you're wanting to do something like that, just away from the dealership, then that's exactly what you should do. Get away from the dealership networks, find some independent automotive shops, be humble, but bring your certifications with you. Take the job that the independent shop has to offer, whether that be sweeping floors, emptying trash cans, or running to the dealership to acquire parts. But do that job to the absolute best of your ability, and welcome new responsibilities as they're handed to you. Remember your manners, be appreciative, and open to advice. No one hates a know-it-all more than someone that actually does know-it-all (aka, the guy who's been in the job for 20+ years).
From there, start building a resume, start networking. Even a fun job can suck at times if the $ is enough, I had a friend who built classics for several years and left because he wasn't getting paid enough. He started his own business delivering exercise equipment, after making a bit money doing that work he's back working in an autobody shop a good friend owns and isn't worried nearly as much about his financial situation.
I think most of us knew you were wanting to get out of your current job for quite some time, even when you were trying to find alternative work in the same field.
Here's the unfortunate part, pay (i.e. compensation) is typically dependent on a few things: Required Prerequisite Training, and Desirability.
Let's put it in perspective.
Job 1: The work is fun, and career entry is easy.
Job 2: The work is fun, but career entry is difficult.
Job 3. The work is hard, but career entry is easy.
Job 4. The work is hard, and career entry is difficult.
The job with the most applicants is likely Job 1. Folks will suffer through low wages for a job that's enjoyable, so it won't pay high, and the job can be filled from folks from all walks of life, without a high requirement to perform the tasks. Job 2 will likely have less applicants because there are less qualified applicants competing, pay as a result might be higher, and the job is still fun. Job 3 will be similar to job 2, expect higher pay to compensate for the hard work, but you'll be competing with numerous individuals to get the job. Not everyone wants to work hard, remember? Job 4 will likely pay the best, the work will be difficult, but overachievers flock to this sort of thing, and career entry isn't a breeze either (think, doctors and lawyers).
So now the biggest thing to do is position yourself for one of these careers. You're in search of better financial incentives, but do not want to push for those additional skills (not trying to sound negative with that). As a result, your best pay options would probably come from Job category 3. The work will be difficult in numerous ways, whether that's physical or mental, but hopefully you won't have to use lots of certificates to get in the job.
I had an awful lot of friends in college who earned degrees in Automotive Technology and are doing well for themselves. Several of them turned wrenches for a bit, but most have worked their way onto management positions, sales, product testing, etc. Turning the wrench can be a very rewarding job, and for a lot of folks, it's a perfect existence that offers you upto side work, odd jobs, etc...If you're wanting to do something like that, just away from the dealership, then that's exactly what you should do. Get away from the dealership networks, find some independent automotive shops, be humble, but bring your certifications with you. Take the job that the independent shop has to offer, whether that be sweeping floors, emptying trash cans, or running to the dealership to acquire parts. But do that job to the absolute best of your ability, and welcome new responsibilities as they're handed to you. Remember your manners, be appreciative, and open to advice. No one hates a know-it-all more than someone that actually does know-it-all (aka, the guy who's been in the job for 20+ years).
From there, start building a resume, start networking. Even a fun job can suck at times if the $ is enough, I had a friend who built classics for several years and left because he wasn't getting paid enough. He started his own business delivering exercise equipment, after making a bit money doing that work he's back working in an autobody shop a good friend owns and isn't worried nearly as much about his financial situation.
i thought dealerships were the place to earn your stripes?
I see what your saying though about staying away from dealerships.
I do constanty get underpayed by them so your though.
I'll try some independant shops.
...Are there jobs that are in demand, pay decently and do not require too much training to get started?...
You will find that if you invest a lot of time, effort, and work into learning new things, you will be rewarded and in demand. (Other people who do not do that are a dime a dozen...)
Find out what skills the employers want. Skills which are in demand. Then go get some books and start reading.
Hint: Many auto mechanics are skilled at mechanical things, but lack knowledge of electronics and computers.
Airline mechanics make a decent middle class wage but I think the schooling is expensive.
Or you could take your mechanical apptitude and be a mechanical engineer. Only thing is it requires a BS in a pretty gueling program packed with lots and lots of math and physics. But if your heart is into it 100% then you can do it. Plus mechanical engineers start off at $45k/yr and can easily pull in $80k/yr after a few years of experience is gained.
You will find that if you invest a lot of time, effort, and work into learning new things, you will be rewarded and in demand. (Other people who do not do that are a dime a dozen...)
Find out what skills the employers want. Skills which are in demand. Then go get some books and start reading.
Hint: Many auto mechanics are skilled at mechanical things, but lack knowledge of electronics and computers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottay
Airline mechanics make a decent middle class wage but I think the schooling is expensive.
Or you could take your mechanical apptitude and be a mechanical engineer. Only thing is it requires a BS in a pretty gueling program packed with lots and lots of math and physics. But if your heart is into it 100% then you can do it. Plus mechanical engineers start off at $45k/yr and can easily pull in $80k/yr after a few years of experience is gained.
Thanks for the input. I'm already going to college for electrical engineering. I was looking for a career that I could change into right now. Maybe within a years time or so.
Yo....Why not go for the wild side and become a marine mechanic . You pick the resort area marina to live as a bonus to the big money yuppys will pay for you to keep their floating toys running.. You got to show some hustle and look sharp for all the hot young women you will see all the time too.
Go work for Goodyear or similar. Enter one of the management positions- Sales or Service and work up from there. Goodyear has a good retirement. I presume the others are the same.
FWIW, I went from IT to mechanic (motorcycle, supposedly my "dream" career) only to become so disappointed and burnt out in about 2 years that I switched back to IT. No formal schooling or degrees in IT, but I had practical experience after ~20 years and was able to land jobs like head of the IT dept making money that was top 10% of the area I was living.
Entry into IT is pretty annoying though, you'd be answering tech-support phones for a year or two. Stupidly simple, it's the bottom rung on the chain, lots of burn-out. I found 3rd shift to be the easiest to deal with as there are fewer calls, no management hounding you, etc... Been a long time, but I think I made a couple bucks over minimum.
I thought that the systems-oriented troubleshooting that's needed for IT work transferred to being a mechanic surprisingly well. Wrenching is Easy work for me, and I take delight in doing electrical troubleshooting (I fixed a vehicle in school that hadn't run in several years of students trying, and making things worse). Maybe you'll find the same is true in reverse.
FWIW, I went from IT to mechanic (motorcycle, supposedly my "dream" career) only to become so disappointed and burnt out in about 2 years that I switched back to IT. No formal schooling or degrees in IT, but I had practical experience after ~20 years and was able to land jobs like head of the IT dept making money that was top 10% of the area I was living.
Entry into IT is pretty annoying though, you'd be answering tech-support phones for a year or two. Stupidly simple, it's the bottom rung on the chain, lots of burn-out. I found 3rd shift to be the easiest to deal with as there are fewer calls, no management hounding you, etc... Been a long time, but I think I made a couple bucks over minimum.
I thought that the systems-oriented troubleshooting that's needed for IT work transferred to being a mechanic surprisingly well. Wrenching is Easy work for me, and I take delight in doing electrical troubleshooting (I fixed a vehicle in school that hadn't run in several years of students trying, and making things worse). Maybe you'll find the same is true in reverse.
I'm in the same exact situation. After 2 years I have had enough as working as an automotive technician for someone else.
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