Career Change Advice / Opinions

[zbomb88]

So here’s the deal... I’m currently an auto mechanic but looking to get out of automotive repair. I don’t really know what I want to do, or what jobs to potentially look at/for. I’ve been a mechanic, and I’ve been a service manager, and I don’t particularly want to go back to that. I have a Bachelor degree and an Associate degree (if that makes a difference)
Anyone have good options to pursue? I’m hoping there are some like-minded people on here that have some ideas that I haven’t thought of yet. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

 

[Quinc]

I still dont know what I want to do either. Have done everything from Firefighting to systems engineer. My advice is make the most amount of money possible and invest all of it so you can retire early.

 

[Jcary85]

I’m a software engineer for a big tech company. I’ve always been very mechanically inclined and I strongly believe most people like that would be great developers. We have one embedded software guy that used to be a mechanic. Incredibly lucrative field and I don’t see that changing.

 

[jetx]

If your handy and it sounds like you are, you may want to think outside of the box from what your already been thinking. With your knowledge and contacts in auto you might want to consider the leather/vinyl/plastic/upholstery repair industry. There may or may not be opportunities in your area for that depends how much competition there is...bit it would extend past auto, into marine, medical, furniture, rv, etc....I own a franchise in this industry and might be worth looking into what opportunities there are

 

[zbomb88]

If your handy and it sounds like you are, you may want to think outside of the box from what your already been thinking. With your knowledge and contacts in auto you might want to consider the leather/vinyl/plastic/upholstery repair industry. There may or may not be opportunities in your area for that depends how much competition there is...bit it would extend past auto, into marine, medical, furniture, rv, etc....I own a franchise in this industry and might be worth looking into what opportunities there are

I’ve never considered this option... I know there are some local-ish people that do this, but I’m not sure how many.

 

[zbomb88]

I still dont know what I want to do either. Have done everything from Firefighting to systems engineer. My advice is make the most amount of money possible and invest all of it so you can retire early.

That’s what I’m trying to do now! Pay is pretty decent right now so I’m trying to get my house paid off so I can do something else where pay isn’t as crucial.

 

[jetx]

I’ve never considered this option... I know there are some local-ish people that do this, but I’m not sure how many.

Hit me up if you have any questions, about the different things we can do... I can share the company I work with as a source to look into, just didn’t want to share the name publicly and make my post be about us...what I can say is if your good at it there is never going to be a shortage of work.

 

[zbomb88]

I’m a software engineer for a big tech company. I’ve always been very mechanically inclined and I strongly believe most people like that would be great developers. We have one embedded software guy that used to be a mechanic. Incredibly lucrative field and I don’t see that changing.

I’ve wondered about this, but I currently don’t know ANYTHING about software/coding/troubleshooting. It would be daunting to make such a change.

 

[mxmark4]

I left work as a mechanic to go into nursing. Pros for me were I now have a whole new skillset, I have new clientele for mechanic work at home, 4 days in a row off every other week, and I get paid to take care of my grandfather.
Cons pay, hours, work every other weekend, corporate structure,drama, dealing with rude people, pay, dealing with people who dont take care of themselves,pay, constant change in my department, did I mention the pay really sucks?
I think there is room to improve for me but it will involve going back to school, or finding something in nursing that I enjoy that pays better. I didnt get into this field for the money, bit it hard to get over the fact I am makkng half of what I used to.

 

[zbomb88]

I left work as a mechanic to go into nursing. Pros for me were I now have a whole new skillset, I have new clientele for mechanic work at home, 4 days in a row off every other week, and I get paid to take care of my grandfather.
Cons pay, hours, work every other weekend, corporate structure,drama, dealing with rude people, pay, dealing with people who dont take care of themselves,pay, constant change in my department, did I mention the pay really sucks?
I think there is room to improve for me but it will involve going back to school, or finding something in nursing that I enjoy that pays better. I didnt get into this field for the money, bit it hard to get over the fact I am makkng half of what I used to.

I thought that’s what you had done. My wife asked me last night if I wanted to pursue a nursing career, but I don’t feel that’s the right choice for me.
I have kind of run out of clientele for “side work” since I’m caught up currently with all their repairs.

 

[SXIPro]

I'd say to find something you actually enjoy doing and feel rewarded doing. My job fits neither of those criteria. It is soul sucking and full of stress. It pays the bills though. Well, it DID pay the bills until I just took a pay cut and may get furloughed or laid off first week of May. But that may be the kick in the ass I need to find a job that actually brings me some enjoyment, or where I feel like I am actually making a difference in the world.

 

[zbomb88]

I'd say to find something you actually enjoy doing and feel rewarded doing. My job fits neither of those criteria. It is soul sucking and full of stress. It pays the bills though. Well, it DID pay the bills until I just took a pay cut and may get furloughed or laid off first week of May. But that may be the kick in the ass I need to find a job that actually brings me some enjoyment, or where I feel like I am actually making a difference in the world.

I am grateful to still be working right now, but the pay is significantly lower because a lot of it is commission. I’m still waiting to come across a career that I can say “That’s what I want to do!” I have some contacts I might reach out to and see if they can offer some direction.

 

[Storbeck]

Seems like an obvious question is what field are your degrees in? Then the other obvious follow up is if you're interested in pursuing something along those lines (maybe the answer is no, but it seems like place to start with the thinking process).

Also, how much are you willing to go do a new round of school/training both time and cost commitment. That would also provide a little bit of direction. For example a single guy with some money in the bank is different than a married guy with kids and a mortgage. Doesn't mean the married guy can't go do more training/schooling but it's probably a bigger sacrifice for him.

How much you want to get paid, and what you're willing to do to get it. Generally speaking the higher pay jobs will require more cost/effort up front to get them.

Then just kind of what you're into. Want to work with people, customer facing? Hate people? Like people but not dealing with customers? Into mental challenges (software stuff), more into hands on? Is travel a good thing or a bad thing? Prefer regular hours or odball hours?

If I were you I'd be thinking through things like that. Maybe even write it down, make some sort of a list of want/don't want, strength/weakness, that sort of thing.

If you like mental challenges and don't like people you might not want to be a nurse, for example. If you like working with people maybe not a software developer. Stuff like that.

Also...what was it that you DIDN'T like about what you were/are leaving? Be honest about if it's the job itself, or is it the specific people/company you work with (it's usually easier to find the same job with different people than a completely different field).

Another thing, it's cliche but it's true, high pay doesn't make people happy.

More questions than answers but that is the sort of thing I'd be thinking about at least.

 

[Quinc]

Cons pay, hours, work every other weekend,

Are you working for the right hospital?! Nurses in CA do pretty well and traveling nurses do very well. Buddy of mines wife is a nurse in the bay area and he cant spend her money fast enough. Or if you dont mind traveling the country you can get a job with a medical software company and make 90k+ teaching people how to use medical software.

 

[zbomb88]

Seems like an obvious question is what field are your degrees in? Then the other obvious follow up is if you're interested in pursuing something along those lines (maybe the answer is no, but it seems like place to start with the thinking process).

Also, how much are you willing to go do a new round of school/training both time and cost commitment. That would also provide a little bit of direction. For example a single guy with some money in the bank is different than a married guy with kids and a mortgage. Doesn't mean the married guy can't go do more training/schooling but it's probably a bigger...
Also...what was it that you DIDN'T like about what you were/are leaving? Be honest about if it's the job itself, or is it the specific people/company you work with (it's usually easier to find the same job with different people than a completely different

Thanks for taking the time to write such a response!
I have a Bachelors in Automotive Management and an Associates in Automotive Service, both of which are quite specific. I’m married with 2 kids, so school full time isn’t really an option. We love my kids school, so we don’t really want to move, but I wouldn’t be opposed if I could get my wife on board with it. I’m starting to look for something with forensic investigation or automotive accident reconstruction, but I have to figure out what kind of school/training/certifications are required for that.

 

[mxmark4]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a response!
I have a Bachelors in Automotive Management and an Associates in Automotive Service, both of which are quite specific. I’m married with 2 kids, so school full time isn’t really an option. We love my kids school, so we don’t really want to move, but I wouldn’t be opposed if I could get my wife on board with it. I’m starting to look for something with forensic investigation or automotive accident reconstruction, but I have to figure out what kind of school/training/certifications are required for that.

Dont ever think school isnt an option! I had two kids went to school and worked full time and managed to squeeze in building a house along with buliding most of the minor components of the house into my time. You have the same number of hours in a day as Einstein, Bach, Hitler etc. Its all about how you use them man.

 

[mxmark4]

Are you working for the right hospital?! Nurses in CA do pretty well and traveling nurses do very well. Buddy of mines wife is a nurse in the bay area and he cant spend her money fast enough. Or if you dont mind traveling the country you can get a job with a medical software company and make 90k+ teaching people how to use medical software.

I would love to travel but my wife isnt into it , when theres not a deadly respiratory virus sweepinf the nation I do home health which pays much better, but is boring as hell. Eventually I will find a niche that scratches all my itches.

 

[zbomb88]

Dont ever think school isnt an option! I had two kids went to school and worked full time and managed to squeeze in building a house along with buliding most of the minor components of the house into my time. You have the same number of hours in a day as Einstein, Bach, Hitler etc. Its all about how you use them man.

Did you have something lined up for when you got done with school before you started?

 

[smokeysevin]

Depending on the field you want to go into, employers may also offer to cover school expenses. Both my brother-in-law and I had some/all our tuition paid by our employers. Another option is to evaluate what field you are interested in and pickup certifications or skills that are useful, it can improve your employment options.

I finished my engineering degree while working full time, it was difficult and took a while but if you want something you can make it happen. I did one or two classes per semester. Having flexible hours or online classes really helps.

Sean

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[mxmark4]

Did you have something lined up for when you got done with school before you started?

Nope just went for it. Did 2 years of night school, then my employer worked with me on scheduling when I started nursing school. I used my charm and good looks to work my way into a level 1 trauma center Emergency department and thats part of why my pay is so low. But the experience is worth it in the long run and hopefully I can go back to the lil country hospital I worked at and name my price.