Need career advice...

[dmoney(AB)]

I am also stuck on choosing a career path. Last year i attended a trades school and completed my first 2 years of Automotive service technician. I have been in the stream of mechanics for about 3 months.....but only as a lube technician (oil changes). Lately ive been contemplating on looking for another job (apprentice) or to register for winter semester in something else. From what I see, i couldnt see myself being a mechanic for the rest of my life, sure its fun and you learn a ton fast, but when it comes down to it, i dont think ill be happy, and hell the money for surely isnt there. I love tinkering with things, part of the reason i wanted to become a mechanic but i think i need to reconsider my options now that i am still young and can make such decisions. What do you guys suggest for a 'tinkerer' and i have a couple inventions id like to throw out soon, just looking at patent info right now. ps im in canada.

[madjurgen]

If you dont love math dont be an engineer.

If youre already questioning your commitment and you havent even started, dont start, you will fail. Engineering cannot be done half-assed or as a 'backup'.

ME is not THAT hard. Try talking to the EE guys. Industrial Eng. is a joke imo.

My father has been a mechanic his whole life. Trust me its not fun. Sure its fun when youre young and single but wait until you get a family. Suddenly every car you work on becomes an important job. He has a very stressful job and he always tells me he wishes he had my opportunities when he was young so he wouldnt have to be busting his ass at 65 still.

Cars, esp BMWS, are becoming way too complicated. You will spend more time at a diagnostics machine than turning wrenches most days if you work at a dealership.

Engineering can be quite fun and rewarding. The money is pretty good as stated before. It does kinda suck having to sit in front of a puter 60 hrs a week. But I do take pride in my job and in telling others what I do.

Plus theres almost no better feeling than seeing a fighter jet pass overhead and being able to point out what part is yours.

That being said, somedays, when the shits really hitting the fan, i do somewhat wish i had chosen a less difficult job. Im still envious of all the mechanics here that can disassemble/reassemble an engine in a couple of hours no problem.

[MattE30]

I wouldn't call IE a joke, but it seems like every other engineering major clowns on us. Different interests for different people, I guess. And making the same amount of money and more of other disiplnes and doing something more interesting is worth it to me.

[Garageaholic]

EE is easy to the guys who have an electrical inclination.
ME is easy to the guys who have a mechanical inclination.

Some think EE is harder than ME and vice versa. To each's own, but if u go into it, DON'T DO IT HALF ASSED OR YOU WILL FAIL.

[b*saint]

If you dont love math dont be an engineer.

If youre already questioning your commitment and you havent even started, dont start, you will fail. Engineering cannot be done half-assed or as a 'backup'.

Yea its called GM. :grin:

[AdironRider]

Honestly it seems like a no brainer to me. Go to college. While the money might be good initially, in the end the guys who go to college are going to be way past you in the long run. Also you say you like working on your car, and sure we all do as e30 owners, but do you really want to wake up everyday at 7am, just to go to the local garage and work on some snobs car everyday FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. You really need to think about that long and hard man, cause its a decision you cannot afford to mess up. At least with engineering your constantly facing new problems, new projects, etc. Mechanics see the same shit everyday. While I like turning a wrench every once and a while on my own car, I dont think Id like to change some moms minivans oil all the time.

[MattE30]

Honestly it seems like a no brainer to me. Go to college. While the money might be good initially, in the end the guys who go to college are going to be way past you in the long run.

Yeah, I love how some mechanics I know, that are my age, brag about how they are making $15 an hour, and I'm a broke college student. I guess if it makes you feel good about yourself...

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

My view is this... do whatever you like to do everyday.... what inspires you to do the same thing even better. Be it some kind of engineering, business, teacher... etc. I don't think that you should souly go with money and whatever you think is cool. Think of you when you were a kid, who did you want to be? Think of it now!
I'm going to college as a freshman this year too... and I have changed my mind so much.... it's crazy, but I always had 3 things in the back of my head... automotive design, aircraft pilot, Petrolium Eng. Lately I've been a lot into design, I was always drawing since 6... in school... at work... everytime i'm bored.. listening to music.. i know I'm pretty good and I will make a good designer if I stick to my goals.
My dad is a pilot, I wanted to be a pilot since i was born...
Petrolium- I just thought of it last year, based on big money and opportunity to work in Russia is a biggie... and during this present time, petrolium guys make huge money... no q's about it, it's just matter of time when we run out of it. Design-this one is completely up to me!
In the end of it all... think of what you would like to do your whole life without tiredness? Don't even think about money! You know why? becuase if you would do whatever you love to do, you will make as much money as you want to. think of this: a shitty engineer would make less money then a good, respectable car designer, just because he does half-ass, and if designer contributes himself, if they both are really good, then either one can make same/more/less, because without either one, there wouldn't be whatever thing they make! thing about money.... there is a saying:"Make money work for you" - think about it!

Sorry for the long reply, just my thoughts....

[netcsk]

You guys make engineering sound impossible. It's not that hard if you're a smart kid and even half-way apply yourself (or if you're not real smart -- apply yourself a lot haha). It's not an artistic thing, i.e. everything is laws with maybe one or two theories mixed in there. You should look a little bit into the classes (physics, materials, dynamics, thermo, etc.) and see if they interest you. I can honestly say that I enjoy most of my classes. Thermo is especially enjoyable.

Anyway, don't lie to yourself. If you don't think engineering will be enjoyable, don't do it. Even if you make it through school, no amount of money will make something good that you don't want to do.

[Adrian_Visser]

so what do all of you sage individuals say to someone who aspires to be an engineer but never was very strong in math, smart and all with good grades but never math 12 ... is it hopless for me to wanna be a real engineer?

or can i learn the math still...


ps im just finishing up a 2 year course on Aircraft maintenance engineering (not really an engineering doctrine closer to a mechanical trade)

[shiftbmw]

Try ME out at least. Sure it's hard and it sucks when you've got tons of work to do while the hot chicks in psych and comm classes get to go out every night and party, but in the long run you'll be glad you got a ME degree.

While a traditional engineering job sounds boring, if you've got an ambitious bone in your body you can crossover into business, management, consulting, etc.. With any engineering degree, you develop your analytical skills, and you're paid to think. With a mechanic certification, for most jobs, you're paid to complete a job that has been done time and again.

Try ME and if you find you can't tolerate the math, consider other options. It's a great feeling to get a BS in ME when you've realized how much hard work it took, and how many lucrative job opportunities become available.

+1. Try ME out. There are plenty of things you can do with an ME degree that aren't boring. With ME you open tons of avenues. You can go the legal direction, business, consulting, design, etc etc. To give you an idea of how diverse it can be, I currently help design audio visual systems/consult for buildings as an ME.

I think after years of being a mechanic, the physical labor might turn out to be worse than the little bit of work it takes to get your degree. And out of curiosity, what do you do if you get injured as a mechanic?

[Ender.]

Im currently trying to get back into ME. I did it for a year and a 1/2 then switched to business. Bad mistake! While the classes were easier I just did not have any desire like I did while I was pursuing ME. Now I have plans to obtain my bachealor's in ME then go back and get my MBA. I was always good in math in HS but the Calc really began to get to me in college. Mainly because I was not applying myself at all. I have since matured and feel I can tackle the challenge.

I also have friends that have since become mechanics and they hate it. Wrenching on cars all day and then coming home they never feel like working on their own. Just something to think about like others have said.

Whatever you may choose, goodluck!

[Sean]

Some really interesting responses in here!

I'm entering my second year of ME towards the end of August. I can honestly say that this is hard for me. I'm a very logical thinker - but when it comes to remembering the whole process of doing each thing - I just cannot remember for the life of me! Give me a reference, and I'll be golden! I just can't memorize things so quickly - I need to use and reuse them before I can remember the whole process.

It's not easy. But, I know if I work hard and APPLY myself, I'll definately get thru it. Just set your goals, and work to maintain them.

I want to someday work for myself - whether that involves starting my own company and working out of my home - I haven't yet decided. But, that's my overall goal. :D

The one major reason I will stay as an M.E. is exactly what's been already stated. Having an ME degree will open many many doors - some that open just because of the degree I have, and they could even be unrelated to engineering.

It's discouraging to see all these geniouses around me at school, that make me look stupid. But then I see people daily that are working doing dead end jobs and will never go to college. It helps me realize that what I'm doing is not dumb or lazy - I'm working hard and that's what matters most!

[JennsBeamer]

Stay in school!

My uncle is a genius when it comes to cars, he is a Toyota Tech (some super high level certified, blah, blah, blah). he has a bad back and beat up knuckles from a lifetime of the work, and hes only in his early 40s.

Though I have a current gig that pays me a stupid amount of $$ for what I do, it won't last forever, so I am going to school, knowing that it is better in the long run.

[cochran]

My $0.02 worth: Listen to those who are saying stay in school.
My degree is not in engineering, but I worked as a quality engineer for 3 - 4 years in automotive. Now I have 5 engineers and 20+ technicians reporting to me. Yeah, mechanics can make very good money and enjoy their jobs. But for long term future and opportunities, I think engineering is a much better bet. As has been mentioned, there are also lots of crossover opportunities for engineers. My boss was IE, many of my colleagues were MEs. We had a metallurgical engineer and a chemical engineer who are now purchasing agents, and some MEs who were in manufacturing are now in supplier quality assurance, management, COO, etc. Plan ahead!! Just make sure you find the right job, and the creativity and interesting problems are worth the work in college.