First job as a general service tech?

[Sunaj]

As a 31 yr old male, I’m looking to get my foot in the automotive industry.

For the past decade my experience has mostly been in odd jobs here and there and information technology dealing with the diagnosis and repair of computer systems and networks. Until up about 2 years ago I’ve never worked on my car or anyone else’s. Nowadays I can proudly say that I have rebuilt an engine ,can diagnose issues here and there, do some light suspension, and have some solid working knowledge of how automobiles work and how to diagnose them

Now I’ve recently left my job due to repetitive strain injury and hand tendonitis from too much typing. When I am outside doing work where I have full range of motion I do not experience this problem. Also left work due to other personal issues related to the job. I have no problem working outside and getting my hands dirty. In fact I did this for years before officially getting a job in the IT industry

Now that I am away and a free agent I have been offered two jobs as a general service technician working long hours. These places want an average 55 hours a week with pay of about $9 to $11 an hour.
One of which is National Tire and Battery. They stress a productivity pay rate system where you can make commission on the jobs you do. I have no issues with the work just the hours ( and pay at 9 bux) as they all demand full-time dedication.

Of course working IT you tend to get more than that and I don’t expect to make as much as I was do to my infancy in this industry. Part the reason I left my last job was also due to work life balance as I have no true desire to submit myself to full-time employment. However a living has to be made and while I am somewhat knowledgeable of automobiles no place will take me serious without shop experience or ASE certification, so either I submit myself to 55 + hours of low pay just to get shop experience on my resume or I continue to vigorously study and teach myself more Automotive stuff while working a part-time job either doing more physical oriented IT work or a job at Home Depot or something working part time. Then maybe just maybe I can become proficient enough to do work on the side on a larger scale and make money that way, which is what I actually prefer.

I really do see myself pursuing a career in automotive technology and retiring at a late age. What are your thoughts and for the more experienced technicians and even general service technicians on this forum starting out what are your opinions on work and pay as a general service technician for starting out in this field? Is it worth it? Is there another route to go?

Thank goodness for speech to text.

Topic

[Jason White]

You are beginning a journey on a long road where making good money is very far down that road. The good thing is that if you are smart and dedicated you can make a good living. Look at the Beuro of Labor and Statistics, if that doesn’t scare you away, just dedicate yourself and you will do well. You did IT, so you probably have more aptitude towards technology than the average person entering the field. Unfortunately there are a lot of morons that enter the field who think because they can work on a car they can make a good living doing so. If I were you, I’d get some experience at NTB, but try to move to a dealership and get some factory training.

[Duane]

You might not get away from the hand tendonitis. I was a tech for 20 years and have carpel tunnel in both hands from wrenching and had tendonitis come and go over the years. Becoming an automotive tech can also cause back problems from bending over hoods for hours a day. I have 2 herniated discs from that. A lot of techs I know have bad knees but that hasn’t bothered me.
If you can get a job in a shop as a category specialist, become an Automotive Electronics Specialist. You’ll keep clean, avoid a lot of the health problems and enjoy what you do.

[Sunaj]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Regarding the hand tendonitis I believe you’re right. I never thought of a category specialist. I’ll have to look into that. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

[Author]

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