LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Not to mention that I know almost no college grads that actually work in the area they went to school for and even then, a lot of the ones involved in my line of work are clueless.
Tommy
How did you learn your trade?
- Thread starter jives
- Start date
Not to mention that I know almost no college grads that actually work in the area they went to school for and even then, a lot of the ones involved in my line of work are clueless.
Tommy
rowerwet
Well-known member
I'm an airplane mechanic, a great job as most kids today only know how to push buttons, not turn wrenches or trouble shoot circuits. I told my son do what people need and you will have work, heating and wiring will always be needed, and are a lot cleaner than plumbing or fixing cars.
I did the trade school route, two years right out of high school, my whole cost was 1/3 of my annual salary.
I did the trade school route, two years right out of high school, my whole cost was 1/3 of my annual salary.
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Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Shop classes from Jr. Hi on, which showed me I had an aptitude for "working with my hands" and taught me the basics. (and taught me how to deal with boisterous guys, but that's another story!) Just out of HS, I took a job as a receptionist at a diesel shop to work my way through school, ended up with a chance to work in the shop as shop rat, and it exploded from there. Ended up with my toolboxes and journey status, but NEVER quit school (tho I was tempted at times)... then when that shop went under went from shop to shop... but... I still had that piece of paper. School and full time work is HARD, but it taught me to work - and THAT was the best thing I got from it.
When I applied for my current 7-5:30 job (27 1/2 years ago) it required a willingness to learn, mechanical ability, and some education beyond (iirc) 8th grade. Having that "worthless piece of paper" earned while working FT as a wrench wench was the lever that put me over the 33 other candidates for the job.
2 things I know about life - one, you can never stop earning... and two, you never stop learning. But unless you can prove the second one (wtih that worthless paper) no one will ever know you have figured that part out.
My suggestion - stay in school, and get a job to support it in one of the trades you enjoy - start from the bottom (Broom Patrol, Shop rat, Wire puller, whatever) and work your way up, learning as you go... but don't give up the school part, not even for a semester break, as that damned piece of paper, combined with your trades knowledge, will open up the cool jobs you'd never thought you'd get into.
When I applied for my current 7-5:30 job (27 1/2 years ago) it required a willingness to learn, mechanical ability, and some education beyond (iirc) 8th grade. Having that "worthless piece of paper" earned while working FT as a wrench wench was the lever that put me over the 33 other candidates for the job.
2 things I know about life - one, you can never stop earning... and two, you never stop learning. But unless you can prove the second one (wtih that worthless paper) no one will ever know you have figured that part out.
My suggestion - stay in school, and get a job to support it in one of the trades you enjoy - start from the bottom (Broom Patrol, Shop rat, Wire puller, whatever) and work your way up, learning as you go... but don't give up the school part, not even for a semester break, as that damned piece of paper, combined with your trades knowledge, will open up the cool jobs you'd never thought you'd get into.
Vincenthdfan
Well-known member
I did 20 years in the US Air Force. Best decision I ever made.
Travelled all over the world, learned how to work on all types of aircraft, how to lead and mentor people, how to write effectively, etc.
I now have great medical coverage, a retirement check and a marketable trade that I have been using for the last ten years of my life in a very well paying job.
The downside? I had to move away from friends and family for 20 years, missing out on a lot of memories at home. Lost my dad when I was still on active duty too, but I know he was proud of the path I took in life.
Travelled all over the world, learned how to work on all types of aircraft, how to lead and mentor people, how to write effectively, etc.
I now have great medical coverage, a retirement check and a marketable trade that I have been using for the last ten years of my life in a very well paying job.
The downside? I had to move away from friends and family for 20 years, missing out on a lot of memories at home. Lost my dad when I was still on active duty too, but I know he was proud of the path I took in life.
joeya
New member
I majored in art in college, graduated, and realized that you can't pay for things with a well taken photo. After that I was offered a temp job in the warehouse at a mining and construction equipment company. Never said, "I can't do that," instead said, "I haven't done that before, but now's as good a time as ever." Learned more in the first year than I think I've learned in my whole life. After 6 months of that I slowly started making appearances in the field to deliver parts and help the current techs on job sites. Cleaning wrenches, climbing up and down to retrieve things, running to pickup lunch; important stuff! Now I am the lead tech of a very committed group of field techs. I can't recommend the trades enough. The best way to learn is to close your mouth, open your ears and keep busy.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
Damned good first post - welcome to the shop!
Stevie-Ray
Well-known member
Was already a Warehouseman at Ford, so I applied for the apprenticeship program, scored high, was accepted, and left my job about 4 months later for 3 years of trade school, and 3 and a half years of apprenticeship at the Rouge. Journeyman Electrician after 3 and a half years. Could've been sooner, if I had worked all the overtime offered to me. Didn't start this til I was already 38 years old.
rburke65
Well-known member
Out of HS in 1966 and joined the Navy. Got into electronics and electricity schools for 7 1/2 months.... 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Had three odd jobs before I was hire by a local electrical contractor. There, we wired a little bit of everything. 11 years later I started at a Gen. Motors plant maintaining and repairing weld equipment. When the robotics arrived was sent to school to learn how to operate, program, trouble shoot and repair them. When you see the ads on TV for the big auto makers where the robots are welding and the sparks are flying.....I was one of the people that made that happen. So in hind site the US Navy was a smart choice for me. But it was being prepared when opportunity knocked.
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bobemmerich
Well-known member
My formal training I got in the U.S. Army. Don't turn wrenches for a living anymore, but that's where I received my training. Worst mistake i made was accepting discharge! 
youngnstudly
Well-known member
I started out taking the welding tech. program at the local JC, along with the Automotive tech program there as well. Best 2.5 years I could have spent at a JC for the hands on experience.
Decided I didn't want to do either of those trades, so I went down to the local sheet metal workers union office and signed up to become a union member (after my Dad's friend offered me a job in a union shop). I served as a pre-apprentice, worked my way into a 5 year apprenticeship, and graduated just in time for health issues to put me on permanent disability.
For what it's worth, I think a good union job is hard to beat for the "average Joe" (much better pay compared to the same position filled by non-union workers, full benefits including health, retirement, vacation pay, etc).
Pay your dues, become a model prisoner, disregard most of the propaganda they shovel at you, and don't be naive enough to count on union's lasting forever. The US is probably going to outlaw unions in the near future in order to improve China's middle class, so take the increase in pay while you can! My 2 cents...
Andy
Decided I didn't want to do either of those trades, so I went down to the local sheet metal workers union office and signed up to become a union member (after my Dad's friend offered me a job in a union shop). I served as a pre-apprentice, worked my way into a 5 year apprenticeship, and graduated just in time for health issues to put me on permanent disability.
For what it's worth, I think a good union job is hard to beat for the "average Joe" (much better pay compared to the same position filled by non-union workers, full benefits including health, retirement, vacation pay, etc).
Pay your dues, become a model prisoner, disregard most of the propaganda they shovel at you, and don't be naive enough to count on union's lasting forever. The US is probably going to outlaw unions in the near future in order to improve China's middle class, so take the increase in pay while you can! My 2 cents...
Andy
383 240z
Well-known member
Went to trade school for my first career as an auto tech. That lasted me about 12 years. I've since switched to being a machinist. To be honest I learned enough from watching youtube, reading text books, reading Home Shop Machinists magazine, and reading over Home Shop Machinists, and Practical Machinists forums, to ******** my way into an entry level job. I've been learning a ton on the job, and have been promoted once already. Only been there 6 months. I make a decent wage, work my **** off, and I'm sure it will lead to something better. Keith
Long post.
But it covers 40 plus years.
A lot has to do with your personality type.
Mostly, are you a risk taker?
(Maybe an analytical risk taker.)
My dad was a career Navy Air man. Not a risk taker.
Aircraft mechanic on Pacific carriers in WW II
Basic airmanship ground school afterwards.
With him checking my progress every night, I tore down my first V8 at 14 for main and rod bearings.
Out of HS I went through a 3 MO school that got me a DP job.
(Data Processing as it was called then in those days in the ‘IBM department’ ”)
Paid my dues on raised floors and bright lights until I was a shift supervisor over 12 people and had a wife, two kids and a mortgage.
Got a call from a headhunter lady (not unusual in those go go days)
“I don’t really understand what they want for this position. Maybe they don’t either. Do you want to see them?”
“Sure, why not.” I was bored with the routine.
I interviewed with a Marketing Department manger.
WTF is “Marketing?” I had never heard of it. (Remember, I was just a HS graduate.)
But the offer was 30% was more than I was making, so I jumped into the Marketing world.
Wife, kids, mortgage and all.
I realized I didn’t know what the hell I was going to be doing, but I did know more than them.
And I could always fall back into my comfort zone if it all went upside down.
After 8 years the product I was hired to introduce went from one sale to 30 % of total annual sales.
But I was hooked.
I learned there was not just Marketing but Sales.
Guys out there blowing and going.
Guys not knowing what they were selling but doing it anyway.
That is what Sales tech support is for. (One of my responsibilities.)
“Can we do “such and such?” I sure hope so because I promised them it would be up and running by next month.”
I wanted in on that kind of life.
But I was too valuable doing what I was doing in support of those guys.
So, when an opening in sales came up with a competitor, I jumped.
I had never been in commissioned sales before.
(By this time I had a third kid, and a bigger house.)
We starved.
Not my fault, but a bad compensation package. Another lesson learned.
But I learned a lot of sales techniques and built a reputation in a somewhat close knit industry.
Enough so that a third company called with a half of the US sales territory offer.
That was too much to turn down.
So I jumped again.
Now I am flying out on Monday and landing on Friday.
(I did four airports in one day once.)
My kids are growing up with out me.
And I am older than both my boss and his.
After 7 years and being 110 % of quota I was let go for “under performance.”
So now I am collecting SS, cashing 401K checks and logging onto GJ daily.
So, what would I tell you to tell your son?
If he is a keep your nose clean and play by the rules type guy, the military may be the way to go.
It is well defined and predictable.
But if he has any kind of “go it alone” spirit find something with a future and specialize your technical knowledge in it.
Become the “go to” nerd in the industry.
(In my case it was bar coding. Currently I would suggest 3D printing.)
Then he can ride the wave.
Like all roller coasters, it is the ride, not the destination, that is fun.
(BTW. The only tech school I went to was the orginal one out of HS.
All my my technical knowledge was self tought from industry magazines (now web sites.)
I was a classic nerd.
No movies. only Bears TV, and hlping my oldest son rebuild his Honda ATC.)
But it covers 40 plus years.
A lot has to do with your personality type.
Mostly, are you a risk taker?
(Maybe an analytical risk taker.)
My dad was a career Navy Air man. Not a risk taker.
Aircraft mechanic on Pacific carriers in WW II
Basic airmanship ground school afterwards.
With him checking my progress every night, I tore down my first V8 at 14 for main and rod bearings.
Out of HS I went through a 3 MO school that got me a DP job.
(Data Processing as it was called then in those days in the ‘IBM department’ ”)
Paid my dues on raised floors and bright lights until I was a shift supervisor over 12 people and had a wife, two kids and a mortgage.
Got a call from a headhunter lady (not unusual in those go go days)
“I don’t really understand what they want for this position. Maybe they don’t either. Do you want to see them?”
“Sure, why not.” I was bored with the routine.
I interviewed with a Marketing Department manger.
WTF is “Marketing?” I had never heard of it. (Remember, I was just a HS graduate.)
But the offer was 30% was more than I was making, so I jumped into the Marketing world.
Wife, kids, mortgage and all.
I realized I didn’t know what the hell I was going to be doing, but I did know more than them.
And I could always fall back into my comfort zone if it all went upside down.
After 8 years the product I was hired to introduce went from one sale to 30 % of total annual sales.
But I was hooked.
I learned there was not just Marketing but Sales.
Guys out there blowing and going.
Guys not knowing what they were selling but doing it anyway.
That is what Sales tech support is for. (One of my responsibilities.)
“Can we do “such and such?” I sure hope so because I promised them it would be up and running by next month.”
I wanted in on that kind of life.
But I was too valuable doing what I was doing in support of those guys.
So, when an opening in sales came up with a competitor, I jumped.
I had never been in commissioned sales before.
(By this time I had a third kid, and a bigger house.)
We starved.
Not my fault, but a bad compensation package. Another lesson learned.
But I learned a lot of sales techniques and built a reputation in a somewhat close knit industry.
Enough so that a third company called with a half of the US sales territory offer.
That was too much to turn down.
So I jumped again.
Now I am flying out on Monday and landing on Friday.
(I did four airports in one day once.)
My kids are growing up with out me.
And I am older than both my boss and his.
After 7 years and being 110 % of quota I was let go for “under performance.”
So now I am collecting SS, cashing 401K checks and logging onto GJ daily.
So, what would I tell you to tell your son?
If he is a keep your nose clean and play by the rules type guy, the military may be the way to go.
It is well defined and predictable.
But if he has any kind of “go it alone” spirit find something with a future and specialize your technical knowledge in it.
Become the “go to” nerd in the industry.
(In my case it was bar coding. Currently I would suggest 3D printing.)
Then he can ride the wave.
Like all roller coasters, it is the ride, not the destination, that is fun.
(BTW. The only tech school I went to was the orginal one out of HS.
All my my technical knowledge was self tought from industry magazines (now web sites.)
I was a classic nerd.
No movies. only Bears TV, and hlping my oldest son rebuild his Honda ATC.)
That advice is forty years old. But unfortunately it's true that many companies and industries won't even open the door to new hires without a 4 year degree. I personally think it's a steep cover charge to pay $80,000 in tuition costs to get a job in the mail room.
Now you're on the bottom rung of that ladder with debt and competing with countless others in the same position.
Are you better off a sheetrocker with no debt and a four year head start?
Gary
Unfortunately it's even more true today:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/u...clearly-new-data-say.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0
Couple of issues.
There was no college program for race engineers in the 70's
Two completing college with a degree in criminal justice and applying for a job as a machinist would put me in the over qualified category.
Many times you do not save time by going to college, have done things that college would not have prepared you for.
More important is how motivated do you want to be, too often college grads just expect life to be handed to them normally on a platter.
& all my interns have been mechanical engineers.
Oldb
Active member
Grew up on a dairy farm. I was responsible for nine diesel tractors and the equipment they powered or pulled. Had to run every day, even at -20. Learned a lot. Started putting Detroit diesels in tractors when I wanted more power. After we sold the cows I started working part time at the local public transit shop. Read manuals to learn. No formal training. Many Transit systems are looking for techs now, many will train you. You have to start on the bottom, night shift. But I would recommend it to someone looking to learn a good trade.
B
B
I would highly recommend your son take some type of higher eduction. Doesn't have to be 4+ years at college. Just something that says he has a specific skill set. We live in a paper backed society. It is extremely tough starting out for those with degrees, even more so for those without.
For me....Engineering, I went to college.
Machining/welding I picked up out of need/want and small guidance by a old time tool and die maker.
For me....Engineering, I went to college.
Machining/welding I picked up out of need/want and small guidance by a old time tool and die maker.
bad_idea
Well-known member
I started at the company I work for 9 years ago because a friend of mine's father offered me a job. I work in ship repair and hold a journeyman's card in industrial repair. I started as a laborer and worked my way up. The company started offering an apprenticeship three years after I started and I jumped on it. The apprenticeship offered by my company is sub-par compared to the large yards, but I still got quite a bit out of it. If your son has his head on straight (I didn't) I suggest an apprenticeship at a large company that has the resources to train up their employees.
bobemmerich
Well-known member
Wish they had something like that here. the closest school is only for High-School students
grifter679
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2014
- Messages
- 47
I went to a 4 year college, got a BS in Marine Engineering, I cant stress how importatnt it is for the 4 year degree. I work with plenty of people who have gone through apprentice ship programs in various trades and it only took them so far. The trade schools may get you starting out at a high point, however the degree can take you higher.
my only regret was being lazy and not getting my PE when it was all fresh in my head.
my only regret was being lazy and not getting my PE when it was all fresh in my head.
My dad worked on everything and he was a forkloft repair tech and before that he worked on cars, light trucks. He had a lot of side jobs and I was lucky enough to help and learn from him. I worked on my bmx bikes and mini bikes and moved up to motorcycles, dirtbikes still while helping my dad on side jobs. I bought my first truck at 13 and that def was a learning experence. I went to uti in Illinois and quit and went to community college for auto insted. I was at uti for about six months, lota wasted money due to guys thinking they knew the world, teachers who to them was just a job. Id say to your son to try and get somewhere that will continue his learning and advancment through out his career. My first job was for indot and those guys were terrible. My 2 supervisors thought they knew it all never wanting to teach anything (not that they knew anything). I could do they things they did and knew things they didnt. They were cocksuckers. I worked there six months and foind a job thats im at now working for a small indy truck shop. The owner still puts some of us through training and tries to make it the best he can for us. I hope the best for em. Its a tough world out there for guys just starting out.
Busted my *** out of high school for 2 years at a body shop - couldn't afford to move out of my parents house based on what I was making. Saw no future in it as a tech or as a bodyman as we were known in 1986.
At 19 I joined the Navy.
Retirement eligible at 39.
Before I knew it I was an E-9 and had 25 years in.
Retired with a quality pension, some service related disability income, excellent health/dental insurance and I went right back to work for the Federal Government in a managerial position.
The only classroom I have ever been inside of other than High School or Navy training was when I went to school to get my Coast Guard Masters License. Absolutely no clue what a college classroom even looks like.
At 19 I joined the Navy.
Retirement eligible at 39.
Before I knew it I was an E-9 and had 25 years in.
Retired with a quality pension, some service related disability income, excellent health/dental insurance and I went right back to work for the Federal Government in a managerial position.
The only classroom I have ever been inside of other than High School or Navy training was when I went to school to get my Coast Guard Masters License. Absolutely no clue what a college classroom even looks like.
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You're cherry picking your stats, and to an extent they support your conclusion. But the NYT article is seriously two dimensional in its analysis. Does anyone seriously think that if all the non-college degreed workforce participants out there were to suddenly get a college degree that the economy would make wages rise magically?
As I said, in certain industries a college degree is essential just to enter the field. But, apples to apples, income as a social worker versus working in a trade may not be that dramatic a difference, especially taking into account loan debt and time lost earning/saving.
With an increasing flood of young people with 4 year degrees and an economy that is not keeping pace with job creation the result might not favor them and their earning potential. Job growth lately seems to be clustered around low paying service industries.
Gary
nuklbstr83
Well-known member
university for 3 years studying economics and mathematics until 9/11.
then joined the USAF- aircraft tech 6 yrs. (learned that i loved fixing things & never wanted to go back college to be in finance)
then auto-body adult ed class and working in auto body shop
then 2 yr school for automotive repair while working for free/internship in a small-town 2 car garage.
then agriculture equip repair. took the job for terrible pay just to get my foot in the door.
then 2 yr school for diesel/electric power generation w internship
now working for big dealer on diesel generators and i effin love it.
then joined the USAF- aircraft tech 6 yrs. (learned that i loved fixing things & never wanted to go back college to be in finance)
then auto-body adult ed class and working in auto body shop
then 2 yr school for automotive repair while working for free/internship in a small-town 2 car garage.
then agriculture equip repair. took the job for terrible pay just to get my foot in the door.
then 2 yr school for diesel/electric power generation w internship
now working for big dealer on diesel generators and i effin love it.
Although my career includes an engineering degree, MBA, and corporate management, that world is not for everyone. My opinion is that too many kids are pressured into college and wind up with somewhat useless degrees and a lot of debt. We need more people in trades and we need to respect and support those that want to take that path. There is great money to be made and just like any other career, you must get educated work hard and continue to learn. We are in manufacturing and the need for talented people - machinists, tool makers, CNC programmers, mfg. management, etc. is huge.
Fordman7795
Well-known member
Apprenticeship school and jumping in feet first
killahog
Well-known member
After spending 6 years in the USMC and separated with a honarable discharge , I wanted to draw unemployment for a few months and do some hunting. I filled out an application for the Rail Road and was hired 18 years ago. I am working as a Locomotive Engineer and making well over 100K and enjoy operating the trains.
Thanks, again, everyone. I've think I've got enough to go on, but if there are more stories and insights, fire them this way. I will add a bit of my own regarding the cost of college and the return on investment, because I see it first hand (I'm a college prof). Way too many students are not getting out of college what they can and their degree overstates what they know. For these students the huge debt they may acquire is a terrible toll on their future financial health. On the other hand, college can open doors and open eyes to many things that are simply not available to those that don't go to college.
Spinaker01
Well-known member
kingstrider
Well-known member
That sort of happened to me. Forced into college by my parents then dropped out after a few years to pursue being an electrician instead, trade school etc. The funny thing is I eventually realized I didn't like working in the cold or with some of the people I was exposed to so wound up going back to school for another trade: dental lab technology. I made teeth for a number of years; crown and bridge, dentures, partials etc. Learned jewelry design as well. Eventually figured out I wanted to go to dental school so did that and then wound up specializing in prosthodontics. To top it off, I haven't ruled out going back to learn maxillofacial prosthodontics (eyes, ears etc).
Along the way I have taken a number of classes at vocation schools etc and can do nearly anything around the house or in the garage. The funny thing is, despite all my education I'm a down to earth guy that likes to hang out in the garage and drink a beer to two with friends. It has been a long and circuitous route but I wouldn't be here without the support of family and friends. Regardless of the path the OP's son chooses, as long as it is something that will support him and that he actually enjoys doing, then you can't ask for much more.
Bookworm
Well-known member
Got out of the Army after a short stint in the 1970's. Wasted my time there, mostly smoking, drinking, chasing tail.
Went to work in 1980 for a car-parts jobber, as a delivery driver. There was a machine shop in the back of the jobber store: cylinder head work, block honing, boring, etc. I spent most of my time there. After a year or so of me watching and helping, the machinist went on to bigger and better things. I sort of just "took over" back there, I didn't even ask anyone about it, I just came in the next day and started doing it.
Learned most everything I did by watching, reading, and at times faking it. Left that state, moved to another. Two changes of clothes on the back of the Harley, $900 in my boot.
Got a job in a plastics-forming factory... minimum wage. At lunchtime one day I was playing around where I shouldn't have been when the powers-that-be found out I could run an end-mil and read a blue-print (can't everyone ? I mean, a blue-print is a picture of what you want, right?). I was moved into a machinist position, making molds for the product, and repairing the factory production equipment. A 23 year-old $3.75/hr machinist.
Left there, couldn't make any money.
Got on at a car-wrecking yard, $175/wk, for 5 10-hr days. Pulling parts, then installing parts. Heavy line. Trans, engines, rear-ends. Install it all, glass to engines to ashtrays to air-conditioners. Stayed there many years, made good money at the end. 5 weeks paid vacation, salary + commission, insurance.
Left there, got tired of being told what to do.
Now I work for myself in the construction industry. Have been for 15+ years. No paid vacation, no salary, nobody telling me what to do.
Never really had any formal education in anything (after high-school). Never even took shop class in high-school.
But, as I told my parents once....
"No, I don't know how to do that, but I DO know how to read. I'll figure it out".
Went to work in 1980 for a car-parts jobber, as a delivery driver. There was a machine shop in the back of the jobber store: cylinder head work, block honing, boring, etc. I spent most of my time there. After a year or so of me watching and helping, the machinist went on to bigger and better things. I sort of just "took over" back there, I didn't even ask anyone about it, I just came in the next day and started doing it.
Learned most everything I did by watching, reading, and at times faking it. Left that state, moved to another. Two changes of clothes on the back of the Harley, $900 in my boot.
Got a job in a plastics-forming factory... minimum wage. At lunchtime one day I was playing around where I shouldn't have been when the powers-that-be found out I could run an end-mil and read a blue-print (can't everyone ? I mean, a blue-print is a picture of what you want, right?). I was moved into a machinist position, making molds for the product, and repairing the factory production equipment. A 23 year-old $3.75/hr machinist.
Left there, couldn't make any money.
Got on at a car-wrecking yard, $175/wk, for 5 10-hr days. Pulling parts, then installing parts. Heavy line. Trans, engines, rear-ends. Install it all, glass to engines to ashtrays to air-conditioners. Stayed there many years, made good money at the end. 5 weeks paid vacation, salary + commission, insurance.
Left there, got tired of being told what to do.
Now I work for myself in the construction industry. Have been for 15+ years. No paid vacation, no salary, nobody telling me what to do.
Never really had any formal education in anything (after high-school). Never even took shop class in high-school.
But, as I told my parents once....
"No, I don't know how to do that, but I DO know how to read. I'll figure it out".
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ovilla
Well-known member
I'm an IT guy, and of course, I went to college for that. BUT I'm still very much a trades guy too - at least for all of my own stuff.
Along with being a computer nerd I also took every carpentry, welding, metal, wood and power shop class that I could in high school. Then, while I was a Freshman in high school, my cousin married this awesome guy named Paul (a journeyman carpenter turned contractor), and he taught me EVERYTHING he knew about carpentry, electrical, water/gas plumbing, HVAC, roofing and a ton of stuff about cars too. Paul's a true renaissance man and has the tools and common sense to figure out anything. He also taught me how to patient and work through things. I then went into the Air Force and they taught me a lot more too.
I think it's really important to have some guidance in your life, someone to point you in the right direction, that will teach you and also let you fail at things. I'd try to get your son to work with someone in the trades that might need a newbie and hopefully he can pick up a skill that way.
Along with being a computer nerd I also took every carpentry, welding, metal, wood and power shop class that I could in high school. Then, while I was a Freshman in high school, my cousin married this awesome guy named Paul (a journeyman carpenter turned contractor), and he taught me EVERYTHING he knew about carpentry, electrical, water/gas plumbing, HVAC, roofing and a ton of stuff about cars too. Paul's a true renaissance man and has the tools and common sense to figure out anything. He also taught me how to patient and work through things. I then went into the Air Force and they taught me a lot more too.
I think it's really important to have some guidance in your life, someone to point you in the right direction, that will teach you and also let you fail at things. I'd try to get your son to work with someone in the trades that might need a newbie and hopefully he can pick up a skill that way.
Joe69
Well-known member
I'm a heavy equipment mechanic. I started in a truck shop, helping out. I got a job offer as an apprentice in my current job after a few years. That was a long time ago, but I feel it was a good way to learn. I worked my way up.
Joe
Joe
Life is short. Save time climbing a ladder by going to college for four years.
So heres my story: i am 30 years old, i make a good living, i own a house and a nice truck (well the bank still owns most of both of those). i have always been interested in electrical and mechanical things... in high school, i hated my normal classes (i did OK in them, not great), but i loved shop, took woods for 2 years, metals for 1... wish i would have taken metals for 3 years instead. after HS, i went to college... luckily i got in to the state school about 6 miles from me (FIU), and i majored in electrical engineering -- with an emphasis on power systems. again, i hated my core classes (math, english, etc) but i did very well in the electrical and physics classes.
starting at 15 years old, i got a summer job with an electrician, making minimum wage as a helper. despite the poor pay, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me, in retrospect. i stayed with the company for about 8 years, i worked summers mostly, did the electricians helper thing for 2 summers, then moved to the other side of the company which did streetlights and utility repairs. i learned a LOT at that company and still use much of what i learned then. when i was 19, i built a generator out of an old forklift engine and a scrapped military generator, just because i wanted to. that experience would go on to help me land my current job.
ended up interning with the power company for 2 summers while i was in college, and had a job waiting for me once i graduated. for the past 6.5 years i have been a field engineer, i drive a van, i turn screws and wrenches, and yes, i even climb a ladder. i get to use a lot of my technical knowledge, and it is a very rewarding career, but they only hire degreed engineers for this position.
that being said, within my company, many of the union, non degreed positions make a TON of money, mostly because of the over time pay, but at the end of the year, its what you take home that matters, because we all work over time too and dont get paid as well.
if you have an interest, a passion, then follow it. find a way to make money doing it. work hard whether you have a degree or not, and it will pay off in the end.
So heres my story: i am 30 years old, i make a good living, i own a house and a nice truck (well the bank still owns most of both of those). i have always been interested in electrical and mechanical things... in high school, i hated my normal classes (i did OK in them, not great), but i loved shop, took woods for 2 years, metals for 1... wish i would have taken metals for 3 years instead. after HS, i went to college... luckily i got in to the state school about 6 miles from me (FIU), and i majored in electrical engineering -- with an emphasis on power systems. again, i hated my core classes (math, english, etc) but i did very well in the electrical and physics classes.
starting at 15 years old, i got a summer job with an electrician, making minimum wage as a helper. despite the poor pay, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me, in retrospect. i stayed with the company for about 8 years, i worked summers mostly, did the electricians helper thing for 2 summers, then moved to the other side of the company which did streetlights and utility repairs. i learned a LOT at that company and still use much of what i learned then. when i was 19, i built a generator out of an old forklift engine and a scrapped military generator, just because i wanted to. that experience would go on to help me land my current job.
ended up interning with the power company for 2 summers while i was in college, and had a job waiting for me once i graduated. for the past 6.5 years i have been a field engineer, i drive a van, i turn screws and wrenches, and yes, i even climb a ladder. i get to use a lot of my technical knowledge, and it is a very rewarding career, but they only hire degreed engineers for this position.
that being said, within my company, many of the union, non degreed positions make a TON of money, mostly because of the over time pay, but at the end of the year, its what you take home that matters, because we all work over time too and dont get paid as well.
if you have an interest, a passion, then follow it. find a way to make money doing it. work hard whether you have a degree or not, and it will pay off in the end.
Tucko
Well-known member
I went to this school for High School/JC and got an AS in Building Technology in 1984.https://www.boscotech.edu/
After 3 years in college and a BA degree in Journalism and Public Relations, I realized I hated it, and did a 4 year apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Worker's Union. Been a sheet metal worker for 25 years....Get your boy into an apprenticeship as soon as possible.
After 3 years in college and a BA degree in Journalism and Public Relations, I realized I hated it, and did a 4 year apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Worker's Union. Been a sheet metal worker for 25 years....Get your boy into an apprenticeship as soon as possible.
I think this is my first post on this site, but I want to chime in here.
I joined the Air Force Guard out of high school, heavy equipment operator. Damn fun!
I also went to a two year college for biomedical electronics... Heart machine, X-ray machine, etc repair. The big plus is, heated in winter, cooled in summer.
I also let the service pay for more education. I got my bachelors and MBA.
I still do the job that only requires an associates, but I teach at the local community college part time.
I guess the point in this post is, do what you enjoy, and you'll never work a day in your life.
Oh, USAF, retired, full medical and $$$. You can't beat the military.
I joined the Air Force Guard out of high school, heavy equipment operator. Damn fun!
I also went to a two year college for biomedical electronics... Heart machine, X-ray machine, etc repair. The big plus is, heated in winter, cooled in summer.
I also let the service pay for more education. I got my bachelors and MBA.
I still do the job that only requires an associates, but I teach at the local community college part time.
I guess the point in this post is, do what you enjoy, and you'll never work a day in your life.
Oh, USAF, retired, full medical and $$$. You can't beat the military.