Seeking Advice

[mike]

Dear Auto Techs,

I am looking for some career advice. I am an IT worker, 15 years in the field. I’m good at what I do, but I am so very burnt out. I have been doing some part time contract Sys Admin work lately and side jobs here and there, but even that feels like an inescapable prison sometimes. (I’ve felt this way for years, it’s not going to pass)

I am the kind of person that’s always dabbling in something new and wants to know how stuff works. I have some degree of proficiency in audio engineering and electronics as well. I have been trying to learn component level repair of motherboards (Trying to understand those 80 page schematics made it way easier to understand automotive diagrams, let me tell you) but self teaching electrical engineering is probably a bit of a pipe dream as there is likely no career path without a degree in EE.

I haaaaaaate school, but I do have a 2 year degree in the computer sciences.

I am no stranger to pulling on wrenches. I was very poor when I was growing up so learning to be a mechanic was a survival skill. It just stuck with me and so to this day except for alignments and tire stuff I do all of my own work (Yes, all of it). I also help my friends out working on their cars. I have a pattern of success at all auto work that has come my way by virtue of my own luck or a friend in need. Electrical, clutches, transmission r&rs, wheel bearings, replacing suspension bushings, shocks, struts, driveshafts, brakes. The only thing I’ve never really done is rebuild trannies, engines, that sort of thing. I have replaced them both, though.

So, let’s get down to it. I’m seriously considering trying to do this as a career. I know, I know. Cushy A/C job wanting to pull on wrenches? Well, let me tell you there’s something nihilistic about working with that which can’t really be seen or touched. No visceral warm fuzzy, no feeling of a job well-done. Just some bits swapped out on a computer. Sorry for the tangent….

So I want to take a crack at doing this for real. Where does a guy like me start?
I mean, I know I have tons to learn but I probably have an at least entry level collection
of not-awful tools and after 18 years of working on my own vehicles that has to mean something.

Oh, and I don’t have children so if I *am* crazy I only have myself to harm, lol.

Thank you for your patience,

Mike

Topic

[Greg]

You sound a lot like me only I was a corporate manager. I started part time in a small independent shop and learned my way up and got my tools built up while I was learning. The 2 job life was rough for a while but at least the shop kept my mind working. After a year or so I moved on to a couple of different dealerships as a B tech and took advantage of all of the factory training that was available. I am currently back at a small family owned shop and I couldn’t be happier.

[mike]

Glad to hear that I’m not just nuts and there are people who end up happier doing automotive work over corporate stuff.

Yeah, this isn’t just a whim. I really enjoy working on cars for some reason even when they beat me up and take my lunch money.

Mike

[Greg]

Their is nothing better (in my mind )than the satisfaction you get from fixing something with your hands.

[Jack]

I’ve been working as a mechanic for only 2 years. Dropped out of high school and found the job.

I came in knowing next to nothing, but eventually I started learning more and more. Hell, I even trust myself enough to work on my own car now!

However, if you’re up to get covered in motor oil, dust, sweat, and sometimes even hurting yourself on that one bolt you just can’t get undone (looking at you Volvo lol), then I say go for it. The level of satisfaction you reach once you see the car you’ve worked on so hard driving off in the distance without a problem… Well, I don’t think there’s something that can top that. Except some other things I’m sure we’re not allowed to talk about on the forums lol.

Anyway, as tiring as the job is, I find it fun. After all, it’s what I like. And it’s all I got.

[Author]

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