In need of some life advice...

[mrsleeve]

Learn how to weld, and weld good. Learn how to make a weld that will pass n.d.e. 99 times out of a 100, regardless of poor fit up or positioning. Learn how to read prints and how to build fabrication of things that matter, not truck beds, bumpers or put hitches in shit.

Things that are put into deadly service, like nuke plant/powerhouse/close proximity high pressure/high stress things close to human life and activity. Learn these things be highly proficient, and professional and you can earn more than most of the "engineers" drawing up your prints. But the flip.side is you will have a long and shit work filled apprenticeship to get there. College is not nessaeirly the best route for everyone, many of us are better suited to hands on type jobs

[NEOe30]

Senior chemical engineering student here.

First thing I would say is if your school has a Formula SAE, Baja team, or something similar, join that. You get have to some practical experience and see if you actually enjoy the actual technical aspect to some degree.

Also, you can make a near six figures being on a vocational track. It can be tough work, but it's definitely hands-on and can be very satisfying. No shame in that.

If I were you, I would go all out one more semester and see what happens.
It looks like you decided to become an engineer because you like cars. But one doesn't get engineer a whole car. You get to design and optimize one specific mundane part like a door clip or just work in a plant making sure everything is running smoothly. Do some more research on a career path. Shadow people. Find out if engineering is really what you think it is. If it is, well, you stick it out, get some internships, and do your thing. A lot kids with who suck at engineering in school are successful because the classroom and a real job are two different things.

Thank you,
I do plan on finishing the semester and seeing where I stand no matter what I may decide to do, I don't believe in quitting half way. I also understand that a mechanical engineering job may leave me at a desk a lot of the time doing design work for single aspects of an automotive system. I have shadowed people at a fortune 500 oil additive corp where my step dad works (Chem engineer and now a diesel specialist) and I can tell that they are all passionate about their jobs and share an interest in cars as I do, but after spending a few hours going over their day-to-day I'm not positive that I have a lot of interest in it. Thanks for your reply.

[NEOe30]

After the stress and aggravation of replacing a CV axel on my older bro's 80 Civic after school one day when I was 18, I was done with mechanics as a career. Especially others' cars.

Before that I really thought I'd end up being a diesel mechanic (awesome money). But after a few exhaustive days working on school projects in highschool, I knew it wasn't for me(rebuilding a Chrysler 360, as well as rebuilding an auto transmission). Sure I love working on aesthetic, cosmetic and electronics, but the physical demands on my body indicated I needed to start thinking of an alternate plan!

Thanks for the input,
It seems as if we may be opposites. I'm currently almost 19 and I take pride in the fact that I've put together an m50 turbo kit all on my own, mocking up, piecing together, and even installing and tuning an MS3x with a little help from a forum member, with the exception of the downpipe (can't weld yet but I want to learn). I ended up having bad compression and overheating, I expected a headgasket but i ended up melting a piston, so I'm going to replace the block on my own as well. To be honest, I love every minute of it. I find myself in the garage at 3am working on something until it's fixed, but maybe that's me.It goes without saying that I do need a day of rest afterwards though. I understand that the DIY is not for everyone.

[rtaq]

Senior chemical engineering student here.

First thing I would say is if your school has a Formula SAE, Baja team, or something similar, join that. You get have to some practical experience and see if you actually enjoy the actual technical aspect to some degree.

Also, you can make a near six figures being on a vocational track. It can be tough work, but it's definitely hands-on and can be very satisfying. No shame in that.

If I were you, I would go all out one more semester and see what happens.
It looks like you decided to become an engineer because you like cars. But one doesn't get engineer a whole car. You get to design and optimize one specific mundane part like a door clip or just work in a plant making sure everything is running smoothly. Do some more research on a career path. Shadow people. Find out if engineering is really what you think it is. If it is, well, you stick it out, get some internships, and do your thing. A lot kids with who suck at engineering in school are successful because the classroom and a real job are two different things.

[Stanley Rockafella]

After the stress and aggravation of replacing a CV axel on my older bro's 80 Civic after school one day when I was 18, I was done with mechanics as a career. Especially others' cars.

Before that I really thought I'd end up being a diesel mechanic (awesome money). But after a few exhaustive days working on school projects in highschool, I knew it wasn't for me(rebuilding a Chrysler 360, as well as rebuilding an auto transmission). Sure I love working on aesthetic, cosmetic and electronics, but the physical demands on my body indicated I needed to start thinking of an alternate plan!

[Johnnyboy101]

I too started out in ME thinking - hey I like cars and other mechanical things, I'll love being an ME. For me at least, I wasn't mature enough at 18 to decide what it is I wanted to do for the next 30+ years. I bounced out after 2 years with student loans, went to a community college and a took a wide range of classes to see what fit best. Ended up graduating with a degree in history. I still enjoy wrenching on cars, and I'm much happier knowing that I didn't waste tens (or more) thousands of dollars on a degree that wasn't a fit for me.

As an aside, even with a history degree, I've been employed in the logistics/supply chain world for the past 8 years. More than anything, most jobs are looking at that degree as proof you can complete something, not necessarily what your grades were. A great work ethic and networking will get you much further than the grades.

[rturbo 930]

I'm a firm believer in hands on experience vs. learning about it through books at school

Shame apprenticeships aren't a thing anymore, especially for those of us who aren't suited for a classroom environment.

[NEOe30]

Thank you all,
I am really surprised by the amount of feedback I have received. I will continue to read this thread and reply to everyone who offers a word of advice. Even though I don't know any of you personally, I appreciate all of the responses. I think this is a great example of how the R3v community comes together.
Thanks again,
Neo

[Powling]

Powling- thank you for your story, I always love to hear about the adventures that life takes people on. It's nice to hear about someone who isn't in the field and can still appreciate cars as a hobby, I know this is an ideal situation for many. I also understand that initiative and motivation can persevere over grades, but you also get graded for a reason, you know what I mean? I'm not too discouraged by them, but it does make me think.

To be honest, from my experience you only get graded because thats the way the school systems are structured. Once I got into the real world, my high school and college averages of 70-75% didn't matter at all.

Again from my experience, all that matters is you have that paper saying you graduated.

On a side note - whatever field / job you want to be doing 10 years from now, start networking today with people who are already there. Network network network and you'd be surprised the opportunities that come up just because you know someone you met through networking.

[1843lamp]

Auto Mechanic =/= Mechanical Engineering

You can get burned out working on other peoples POS cars that you wont want to work on your own POS car. Happens way too often.

Skilled Mechanics are a different story than your avg "mechanic" working at pep boys

This has been very true for me.I still have three unrestored cars for over 20 years ,now my life is different and you can only do so much yourself.when I started I was restoring several cars at one time for customers and finding time on weekends for some work on my own cars ,I enjoyed each new challenge to see if I could solve the various problems for each project ,now there is not much I have not done ...l look back and wonder how I did it all...

[NEOe30]

I'm a firm believer in hands on experience

Long story short

I read what both of you had to say, thank you.
I'm only quoting blank space so I don't fill up the thread with repeat information.

Rusty- what you said about paying for a degree that won't truly make me happy is part of the reason I brought this up. Like I said, I do have some money for school, but why waste it if I can use it as a down payment on a house/car/etc. I also love hands on experience. Thank you.

Powling- thank you for your story, I always love to hear about the adventures that life takes people on. It's nice to hear about someone who isn't in the field and can still appreciate cars as a hobby, I know this is an ideal situation for many. I also understand that initiative and motivation can persevere over grades, but you also get graded for a reason, you know what I mean? I'm not too discouraged by them, but it does make me think.

[Powling]

Thanks,
I do understand that a lot of people who go into the hands on field end up killing their hobby by making it a job. I also know that getting a degree for myself would be very rewarding and probably yield a comfortable lifestyle. I appreciate the response.

I used to think this too, that if only I had a financially stable job that I would be happy. Not the case, though. Don't pursue a career just on wanting to have a comfortable lifestyle, pursue a career based on what will make you happy, the money will come if you love what you do.

[Powling]

Speaking from experience, it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. I'm 30 now, and I went right into school for graphic design right out of high school. Studied for 3 years and got into the creative field right away. Worked a couple jobs I hated, for little pay but worked my ass off to learn and do good work.

Now I'm the Creative Director for an events production company here in Toronto and have lots of freedom in my role, but only because I worked by ass off in those shitty jobs.

I still second guess myself daily, whether I should have chosen a path into cars but I don't regret my decisions. Cars don't get ruined for me because its a hobby, but lots of people I know have had cars ruined for them because its their full-time jobs. Its a grass is always greener situation.

My brother didn't even finish his business marketing course before he was head hunted into the marketing world. Now he's the head Director for Remy Martin cognac for all of Canada. All from hard work and continually pushing himself to learn and do good work.

Long story short - hard work will always prevail over whatever your grades are. From my experience, companies don't care what your grades are, they care about your willingness to learn and be a sponge for new information and your work ethic.

[Rusty.Piranha]

Being out of college for 7 years I would 100% say do not go into debt for a degree you are not passionate about. Bad idea to graduate with a mechanical engineering degree and then realize you should've gone to UNOH. Tuition & room/board price for college is outrageous and the mountain of debt most graduates from 22-35+ are in is crazy.

I'm a firm believer in hands on experience vs. learning about it through books at school

[NEOe30]

Auto Mechanic =/= Mechanical Engineering



You can get burned out working on other peoples POS cars that you wont want to work on your own POS car. Happens way too often.



Skilled Mechanics are a different story than your avg "mechanic" working at pep boys

Thanks for both of your replies, it's a lot to chew on.
I do personally know people who have gone both ways when it comes to ending up working on cars. Some can handle it, some not I guess. I do definitely have some soul searching to do and ask myself questions like the one you posed.
Thanks again


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