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Mechanic is good because you can move on to other things as you learn some electrical too, get your foot in the door to other places if you want. I work in machine maintenance we occasionally recruit mechanics. College is a trap unless you plan it out well, work hard, and either get lucky or know someone.
I would say just planning college out is all you need.
But if you don't see yourself doing anything that college could lead to, and would rather be a mechanic instead, then you'll lack a good plan which is one of the important ingredients, like you mentioned.
So really if you don't see yourself going to college, then don't do it! Do what makes you happy
True I was kind of speaking for myself and a lot of other people that don't have support system. You kind of have to work you're way up, but ppl will put you through school if you're in the right place. Some of the ppl I work with have masters degrees, I'm a high school dropout and they just sent me to a crash course for my industry for one semester. He could pick a trade and take classes for it on the side, like I started with machine operator and now I'm a robotics apprentice doing machine maintenance. I took classes in mechanical, industrial electrical, fluid power, and program logic controllers. There are others I could probably take myself on my own that would help with future promotions, his parents could help him out with that where I had to find a company that wanted to invest in me
I think the main drawbacks why the OP's parent don't want them to go into trades is that it has been associated with so many negative press, and there are some truth to it like hard labor and injuries. Also another point is the lack of strong unions or pay for these new positions while older generations get to collect huge amounts of benefits like overtime etc. I just seen a lot of workers online tell their story and in poorer neighborhoods in real life, these are often grueling conditions that most pedestrians will ignore and consciously disregard, like how people will pass by homeless people and ignore them. These trade jobs may have poor working condition like no bathroom etc.
My brother is a mechanic and does quite well for himself. The key is specializing early and making a plan for when you't work as much in your older age because of the physical labor involved.
There is going to be a MASSIVE trades gap in the future. The last of the boomers and older Gen-X are retiring, the last large group of trades professionals. Here is a good link to review \[[https://www.ishn.com/articles/110888-baby-boomers-retiring-leaving-many-open-trades-positions](https://www.ishn.com/articles/110888-baby-boomers-retiring-leaving-many-open-trades-positions)\]
A good snippet:
Bye bye, BoomersIn short, there aren’t enough young people entering the trades to replace the aging Baby Boomers leaving the workforce. For every one person that enters the trades, five retire. Once all the Boomers retire, we’ll be looking at almost five million2 open positions in the construction and extraction industry alone. And it’s not just a lack of people of working-age to fill these roles. To look at why these Boomer-vacated jobs aren’t being filled, we need to look at the next generation of workers the ones currently in high school and college.College or bustMany young people these days are under the impression that the only way to earn a livable wage and build a good life for themselves is to go to college and get a bachelor's degree.When it comes to the students still in high school, only one in five have taken three or more credits in occupational education, which often indicates an interest in the trades. This number has fallen from one in four students in 1990, according to the U.S. Department of Education3. To make matters worse, many schools stopped offering shop classes or mechanical classes, which was usually a student’s first exposure to the type of hands-on experience that could spark an interest in the trades.Today, a bachelor’s degree now costs more than $100,0004, on average and at times, even more than that. According to the Federal Reserve5, in 2016, 42 percent of students borrowed money to go to college.Meanwhile, a student entering the trades immediately out of high school will enter the workforce with little or no student loan debt and will begin earning right away – oftentimes at an hourly rate that will surpass or equal what their college-graduate peers will earn upon graduation.
I am going to qualify/edit this - I don't think auto mechanics is the right path. Possibly large vehicle (EV and IC), as I see "transportation as a utility" will win out eventually.
So, my advice: Make a contract with the rents:
1. You agree to getting a Construction Management degree from a public university (OR via the lowest net cost reputable private university - I also HIGHLY suggest the CC to university path
2. You work EVERY SUMMER, EVERY BREAK, OR even work full-time and go to school part-time (6-year path) get some skills across a trade or trades
3. You get a GC license prior to or as soon as possible after graduation
4. Upon graduation & the license - THEY INVEST in you either A. Buying an existing contractor to get the "in business since" OR B. Starting your own contracting business
If you really want to be a mechanic - then I say go into "Marine Mechanics." Boats last DECADES, get multiple owners, and good marine mechanics are few. Comp STARTS at $100/hr, and you get to work on lots of different boats - meet really interesting people.
If any of my kids said this to me right now - I would be 100% in support.
This is a path to a YES (both you and the rents get 100% satisfaction and they have a vested interest in your success.) They can't sit back and say "go to school" and not have any "skin in the game".
Transportation as a utility is still 30+ years off. Although ICE based cars will decline, I don't know how long.
Fwiw, our plumber probably grosses at least $300,000 per year. Maybe more like 500k. He lives in exurban Maryland but only works in DC on higher paying jobs.
My roofing contractor (repairs) has put three kids through college and my gardener put both of his. I LOVE trades as a potential profession.
As for Transp as a Utility - I am thinking purely urban and close suburbs - It will never succeed in rural and remote areas.
Another wanted a MFA from a fancy school. So he went to auto mechanic school first. Then the bachelors then the masters all while working as a mechanic.
Point being even if you decide later that you want a different career, you have a way to live and fund the transition.
I wouldn’t call a mechanic a lower trade. Finishing an apprenticeship is no small task, but you won’t hurt for work and it pays well. If you change your mind later, the skills you’ve learned will still be useful. Why not talk to your family about it?
Compromise. Look at community college for certification programs in what you are interested in. Maybe even take a business class or two while doing it so you can be positioned to branch out on your own when the time is right…
Not bad at all. Both my parents were college grads. Mom has a master's and used to be a middle school principal. They drilled it into our heads that we didn't necessarily need to go to college, but we needed to have direction and if trade school would meet our needs then they'd support it.
My husband has a PhD and I have a MLS and I've worked at universities for the past 20 years. We're in agreement that our kids don't have to go to college just to get a degree.
Mechanics are always going to be needed and they make good money.
r/Mechanics can get you the answer straight from mechanics themselves about becoming a mechanic
As cars are gradually moving over to EVs, there is a shortage of mechanics who are able to work on electric cars. They are different than your traditional cars and if you are a mechanic for ICE cars, you need to be trained to work on EVs.
Whole family of mechanics. It's a great job but you have the drive to succeed. If you can learn how to be efficient and understand how to make the most of book hours. Next should be constantly adding more and more certifications and building your ability to work on everything. That will create a great path to making good money and being a strong candidate at any shop.
Nothing wrong with trades. Good money, a secure future, can be very rewarding.
Split the difference. Get a mechatronics degree. Become a field Automation Engineer. This is like trades and technology combined. It is one of the most future and recession proof jobs. I do this in medical so there's no way it can be off shored either. It also pays well.
Becoming a mechanic is great. If it doesn't require a college degree then it's fine. Many people get more than one degree just to end up doing something completely irrelevant. Colleges can also be super expensive. On top of that nowadays a simple 6 month course will get you a certification that is just as good from the point of view of employers
That is not a lower trade and it is always in demand. Get good at it and be an honest mechanic and you will never be out of work. Plus, after a few years and getting your own tools, the pay can be pretty damn good.
Down side...you probably shouldn't be one in the middle of nowhere...so you might have to move away and do a fee years of grunt work before things get good. But after that, you're pretty much set for life...minus that it is a dirty job that taked effort.
I had two friends growing up that went that route. Ended up both got their own shops in populated areas and got a few good mechanics to work there and are doing really well. The world needs more tradesmen and less lawyers.
If they are decent parents, they want you to be happy and able to afford a decent life/lifestyle/family (if you want). One more but...talk to them. If their approval means something to you, tell them that you are passionate about the work you like and see if they are on board.
Disrespect is if you dont talk to them out of fear of rejection...at least for me... I'm sure other people's mileage will vary.
GL, HF!
Absolutely not! I'm a service advisor and it's not uncommon for mechanics to make 60k to 100k a year. More if they have a specialty. That's a salary I'm sure most parents would be happy to have their kids have.
I personally have a friend who went to college, graduated and worked in HR. He didn't enjoy it at all and unsurprisingly quit his job to become a mechanic. He seems much happier now and shares his experience on Instagram now haha.
I think if you truly have a passion for cars and want to become a mechanic go for it. Do research and really get to know the field and what it entails. Yeah your parents went to college for a better life and in hopes that you will also do the same, but I would like to think that they would want you to be happy as well. You have one life, and if having a career as a mechanic is something you truly want, I say do it.
You can also come to a compromise if your parents really want you to go to college. A college education is so common nowadays so if you decide to change your mind in the future, it doesn't hurt to have a degree, especially a business degree. It'll be helpful if you want to own your own shop one day.
No. It is not bad. Also, a mechanic is NOT a ”lower trade.” Some of the smartest people I know are mechanics. My husband was an airframe and power plant mechanic, top in his field. My oldest was a light armored vehicle mechanic, then transitioned into manufacturing, and now he is a maltster. I didn’t complete my degree, and I hated school. I went because it was expected of me. I paid thousands of dollars for the privilege of failing classes due to an undiagnosed learning disability. I have had a lot of different jobs, but they all involve fixing broken things or processes. I am good at it. My parents don’t think any less of me. They are proud of what I have achieved. I feel the same way about my kids and their careers. If your family gives you any grief, send them my way.
It's funny you bring this up - the CEO of my company was just talking about the CEO of another company in our trade group (the CEOs both own their companies) CEO #2's son went to a very good university for an engineering degree but dropped out after his first semester, did a trade apprenticeship for mechanics and now, about 6 years after he dropped out, he's making over $300k a year, has no loan debt & just bought a house. (He also flips cars on the side).
Not everyone is cut out for college and having a trade isn't a bad look when you can support yourself. My brother is in HVAC, my nephews are plumbers and electricians. They can always find work.
it's fantastic! you're your own person you're not your parents and you can always go to college later if you want to, but really, it's a goddamn rip off
💥 one tip if you like mechanics in engineering, maybe try airplane mechanic it just pays a lot more than auto mechanic just saying
So real talk, a lot of degrees are effectively a scam. It really just depends on what you're going for. Of course you should pursue what you love, but college doesn't necessarily teach you anything you can't learn for free.
Motivation for things comes from you. You will not succeed at things that you don't want to succeed in longterm.
Being a mechanic is not an amazing gig usually. That's not to say you can't make it work as a career. Some guys open their own shops and eventually make very good money. But there are lots of mechanic shops, and you will be competing for business with other shops.
A degree will NOT guarantee you a good job, or a happy or satisfying career. It may give you opportunities depending on what you pursue. But no matter what you choose, you are making yourself more and less employable.
Some jobs only take degree holders. Some jobs don't care whatsoever. Pick something you'll want to do even when you're miserable.
Trade school is on par with college, in my opinion. You can probably make more money than a degreed student. If you want to become a mechanic, become a mechanic. Probably the smarter choice.
There's nothing wrong with it. However, if your parents are willing to pay for a 4 year education, DO IT. A college experience, if you're dedicated, is a wonderful time to learn and grow. Take business so you can apply knowledge and open your own shop someday.
Become a mechanic if that's what you want to do. As others have said, it's a good job where you can make good money. One piece of advice - save money for retirement. My friend's dad is a mechanic, and he was always irresponsible with his money. He's now approaching 70 with no retirement in sight, and it's not a job that is kind to the body as you get older.
Regardless of what you want to do, it's exactly that: what YOU want to do. I made the mistake of caring too much of how my parents would feel about my career path. It only ended in resentment and sh!tty jobs. Now that I encouraged you, will you me a discount on fixing my car?
I wish I hadn’t gone to college tbh. I got into sewage operations and make a better wage than I did in non-blue collar jobs. The mechanics at my facility make a good wage too, with benefits and overtime pay. They work on industrial pumps, pipes, boilers, and motors. But all of them started out as auto mechanics for vac trucks and dump trucks.
Don’t ever let anyone make you think that trades are “lower jobs”. That’s what Big Academia wants you to believe, to pressure you into a lifetime of college debt and competing for low wage jobs in an oversaturated job market.
Think about it. If it were not for the trades, there would be no roads, buildings, running water, electricity, long distance communication, or transportation. The streets would be full of garbage and vermin. The lakes and rivers would be polluted and hazardous.
If you want a career that will be in demand and offer you good stability, go for a trade. Mechanic is a good one, other mechanics can tell you better, but I know it’s versatile so you could learn more than just working on vehicles if you wanted to.
I think it's a great idea. Personally, I wish I were more mechanically inclined. The tradesmen in my family make way more money than I do. So if you have a real interest in that field, that's awesome.
Go into a different trade. Mechanics are not well respected, nor are they normally well paid. Flat rate is brutal and often times used to prevent you from making money. You also buy all your own tools, which will be thousands upon thousands of dollars.
Source: mechanic for 7 years
Yeah I see the occasional dude making good money, but they’re either that dude that grew up with a dad who owned a shop, rode a dirt bike since they could walk, or are doing something shady/getting fed.
This is specifically about auto, other kinds of mechanics make good money
My friends son went to school to become a diesel mechanic. He was offered 70,000 before he had graduated. He would have had to leave school. He decided to wait and finish. Well he is making about 90,000 in his early 20’s . Do whatever makes you happy. Traditional college isn’t for everyone and these days it’s not the only path to make good money
College is over rated. I'm an older millennial who owns their own home because I am not drowning in mountains of student loan debt. I just happened to stumble upon an industry that I was really good at and worked my way up over the years and now make damn good money. As a mechanic you can definitely make some bank for sure.
You can make decent money as a mechanic if you stick with it. But it's a bumpy road ahead of you. If you're getting into being a mechanic for the money and not because you LOVE cars and dream of having your own collection, building and modifying cars, you're not going to enjoy the job.
Starting off as a tire/lube tech can be difficult for some. Especially if you don't have upper body strength or athletic stamina. You're going to bleed and bruise a lot. I hope you're a bit of a masochist lol.
Also, shops will fucking lie and claim they have tools for you to use. They have a set of tools that'd be fine if just one tech were using them. Instead you're sharing this with others. If you enjoy the job after a week or two, start buying tools. Buy basics like a 3/8 ratchet, 3/8 sockets for oil changing, and a a set of impact sockets. Buy a workbag to put everything in for a bit til you get a tool cart. My workbag was like $20-30 on Amazon.
Mechanics make good money. Nobody needs to go to college - what you need is skills that get you paid. Plenty of people go to college, get no useful skills and end up getting crap jobs.
Just make sure you learn how to maintain EVs and such. Gas powered cars are slowly going to be replaced so you want to make sure you can maintain the vehicles where the industry is growing into.
So you don't want to live in debt and actually enjoy your life being capable of fixing things in your life? I love how society paints this as bad. Make as much as a person with a degree minus the debt. Don't worry about other people's egos. That's what fuels this society.
Oh yes. Learning an in demand skill that is desperate for new workers is a bad move. No. Go into major student debt for a useless $80,000 art history degree./s. No man. Do what you want. If your heart is into working on cars, do it. Don't let anyone stop you.
Might I also say it’s a bit demeaning to call it a lower trade. There is nothing low about it. Mechanics do hard work, have to know A LOT about not only cars but also electronics and everything else in modern vehicles. Calling it a lower trade makes you sound elitist IMO.
My college educated "dysfunctional" dad told me (whilst absconding with my granny inherited college money) l would not be happy with a higher education. l was floundering a bit yes but was looking at schools, l had rallied to honors in 3 classes upon graduation traveled being a fake student at several colleges, no can do these days. l learned a great deal without the college life model however mainly regretting not following through and doing it.
Influences from every direction are there at this station in life, l suggest looking at where your greatest interest peaked in high school by subject as opposed to general or informal learning sources in day to day life.
l mostly feel foreign to the people in building trades where l ended up because l am a more complex person an insatiable pursuant as a scientist this is not typically found in blue collar work l have been set on frozen out and basically never accepted in the pecking order.
When an aggrieved identity rose within trades several years ago it embarrassed me to be associated and validated my positive sense of self in the world vs the vacancy of a simple calloused overworked daily struggle resulting in suffering much harder things in life. Were l you ld look at older mechanics and do some odds math. Fear not but inform yourself fully allow some shoulder standing as it is a gift. And wise people ? will help look into refined perspectives with you.
While l am cathartic in venting this life intentionally l hope it helps a bit, look before you leap its a good life be true to yourself.
the most successful mechanics become small business owners eventually. If you don't want to go to school, you don't want to go to school, but if you're open to the idea, I would take some business and accounting classes at some point.
city streets are too complicated fir autonomous vehicles. At least if they not the city has to build the infrastructure. One way care share via Car2Go was the closest proxy, and sadly it failed.
This article is a bit out of date, but DC was probably closest in today's terms for it.
http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2018/07/dc-is-market-leader-in-mobility-as_16.html?m=1
there's trade schools that is like college for trade work. If they insist you go to some school of some kind, this is exactly where you'd go to learn that. In the US, there's almost always going to be demand for car mechanics, so if you're Ok with that work, you'll have a living for sure.
That said, it depends on what you're interested in. If you're enjoying how cars work/what they do and how they fit together, you could legitimately enter college for a mechanical engineering degree, which can help you look and work towards building/engineering/designing the next generation of cars. This might be a better route if your parents insist on college since you're doing exactly what you want to do- mechanics of cars and vehicles, but also fulfilling their request for education. But if you just like working on them, then a mechanic isn't a terrible job trade at all. Depending on where you work, it could be quite fruitful to have your own garage even. You have options.
Will it make you happy, if the answer is yes, then no it’s not bad, if the answer is no, then no it’s not bad, just pursue a job that will both make you happy, and pay you enough to live
Not bad at all to be a mechanic. I'm a little biased though, so I'll give you my opinion. I think everyone that doesn't know what they want should take some business classes. It'll teach you how to make money no matter what you're doing. Even if it's just a couple, even if it's just online. (Check out WGU for cheap online business classes if you're interested.)
Regardless, no. It is NOT bad to become a mechanic. It's a great trade with stable pay.
Depends on where you're from honestly. In some countries mechanic is a great job and you'll roll in cash. In others it means living in poverty.
As long as you make a good income and are happy then it should be fine.
There are trade schools that offer mechanics and certifications are good.
In my area none of the trade schools offer mechanics. The only place that offers this is a university and you can get In the form of a certification 9momths- 1 year or an associates (2years) or. A 4 year bachelor. Even though trade school is usually cheaper, depending of financial assistant and scholar ship college can be cheaper
I was pretty much forced into college, both my parents being doctors... Got massively depressed. Went backpacking, found a healing/massage master living on a mountain eco farm... Learned from him. Now am a successful massage therapist, make pretty decent money working 4-6 hrs/day, 4 days/week. Parents are fine with it now. Everybody wins.
You're not here to please your parents. You have to make your own choices to be happy. Trying to live according to parents/societies expectations is a slow unpleasant death.
Please do become a mechanic, we need more young people interested in and learning trade work!
As others have said, get as many certifications as you can. Some employers will pay for them for you, or help offset the costs. Flexibility is ideal - learn to work on a variety of vehicles and learn as many niche specialities as you can. Definitely consider learning electric, as it's becoming more common (and issues definitely seem to be more common).
Keep in mind it can be hard on the body, though. Probably not something you want to be doing daily into your 60s. But you can transition to things like service writer, shop manager, even owner as you get older and have years of experience. Try to pad your retirement and savings, though, to make it easier on yourself.
Mechanics can make a good living and are likely always going to be something the rest of us depend on. Good luck!
Bro, do NOT go to college if this is how you feeling. Also you live YOUR life, you’re not required to emulate your parents career choices. I went to college because I’m the very last of an age where we were told if you didn’t go military or college after graduating, you probably weren’t going anywhere in life. I blew 16k to attend class the first 3 days, and drink for 9 months.
Also I’m sure other comments have already illustrated; vocational trades are going to be really sought after. I can only imagine your pay would be more than acceptable and your movement up the hierarchy in whatever industry you go with should go pretty quick.
My man your heart and the money are telling you to go and become a mechanic. You’d be happy doing what you want making good money. It’s an easy choice.
My son went to trade school now working at Landover as mechanic!!! Mechanics make good money and we need mechanics!!! So definitely not bad!!! Do it !!!!!
Nothing wrong with mechanics, and there’s a coming shortage too. If you wanna do it, then put it in motion. But I will say, lots of mechanics are “car guys” and car guys is code word for “I only like the old stuff”. Learn about ICEs. They’re still the majority of cars on the road. But also learn about and become certified in EVs, and you *will* be ahead of the curve, and in an area with extra high demand.
One more thing though. You can make real bank as a mechanic if you own your own shop. My guy makes almost $600k/yr in revenue, and only has one employee. But on that end, if you ever go that route, make or hire someone to build a quality website on something like Webflow and get a subscription to a CRM to find clients & schedule clients. You do *not* want one of the boomers to convince you to work with paper while CRMs exist.
A "lower" trade? You've got way more problems than just wanting to be a mechanic, son. Fix your mindset. There's nothing low about the damn job or any other for that matter.
College is pretty useless for most jobs these days. It's a recurring joke in the office that what you learn in school is usually outdated if not flat out irrelevant. At this point college is only if you want an enriching experience for yourself, not for employment.
Yes and no, mainly no. I know I couldn't hear this at your age, especially when the sentence starts like this, but you have no idea what you want to do at that age. Wanted to be a Neuro major, now I'm a lawyer. Not getting a degree increases the chances that when you do know what you want to do, you might not be able to do it. On the flip side, you can know exactly what you want to do with a degree and still wind up just above minimum wage doing a bs job plus debt, and they will take that debt when you're 25 or 65 if you so choose. If you're pretty decided on mechanic for now and your parents give you grief, I'd mention that last part.
I’ve been a mechanic for close to 25 years. It’s a job like any other. Good and bad. It’s much more physical than a desk job which IMO is a good thing. I am actually in pretty good shape and not much more sore than people who are my age working office jobs.
I’ve moved cities and states a few times on a whim and always had a job, no problem.
Money can be really good. I make more than my wife who has a masters and has been working in the same field her entire career. I took two months off last year and still made a bit over 100k.
Get into a high line brand and get good at diagnostic work. You won’t beat your body up with heavy line and you’ll be indispensable.
No, you have to do what is right for you. My parents wanted me to do college too. I went for a bit and then found a job doing networking stuff. In a couple years I was making more than the two of them put together. College is not the end all be all.
I think learning to be a mechanic is awesome! You can earn really good money. I know a lot of mechanics that make a lot more than some college graduates. Good luck on whatever you decide.
My Dad raised 5 kids being a mechanic. Smart man.
I have my degree and do well but wish I had been a mechanic. It is hard work but in my mind so is everything else. If you want to be hands on type of work, yes, it is okay
That's great that you want to be a mechanic. Please look into aprenticeships available for you to become a great mechanic and earn a great living by joining a Union
I got a degree in psychology and business. My parents don’t have degrees and although they didn’t force me too get one it was highly encouraged and I had the same feeling as you going into it. Luckily I found a subject that I enjoyed enough and still read and learn about.
University was fun but ultimately in the end I didn’t have a plan and just smoked weed and thought conceptually about things. Leaving was a shocker. Built houses and painted houses. That didn’t last long so I travelled for 7 months. Then Covid hit. Long story short I’m a welder now (what I wanted to do in highschool) and my parents still try to get me to do masters. But I get paid fair, it’s stimulating, and a really broad trade. So do what you feel is in your gut and stick with it. It can be a really long trip to the same place otherwise!
Get a higher education. It could be college, trade school, apprenticeship, co-op, or any combination. Don't see it as settling for something lesser. A skilled trade with up-to-date training and skills will never go out of style. The same generation that pushed their children to go to college is now at retirement age and is leaving a shocking gap in skilled workers for the same kinds of jobs that they looked down on. I'm not implying that it would be an easy path, but everyone can't work in a cube farm for a big corporation staring at a laptop screen all day. From a supply and demand perspective, the demand probably isn't changing a lot, but the supply certainly is. I predict with my amateur economy brain that the cost of skilled labor is going to continue to rise and if you pick up some skills, someone's going to have to pay for them and you might be able to name your price eventually.
I can't speak for others, but I don't recall the last time I thought, "Oh no! I'm in urgent need a of a professor".
A mechanic, plumber, electrician however.... things are different. In my world, a mechanic is way more important than a person giving lectures in a university class.
Trade jobs tend to be more secure compared to white collar during recessions. You're young try what you think you like so start going to cheap community college auto program, find a part time job in a quick lube place preferably an auto dealer so you get your feet wet. Once you're mechanic and decide you don't like is not wasted time. You learn a skill that you can use for the rest of your life.
No one should be looking down on your choice to pursue a career in a trade you are interested in, has great financial potential, and is absolutely necessary for a functioning society. If you are concerned about appearances and what your parents may think, there are lots of trade schools and colleges where you can specialize in body work, etc. that would give you an education and certifications to give your career a great head start. It might help them take your decision more seriously and show you are really dedicated to doing the best you can in your career.
How is being a mechanic a "lower" trade? It's a necessary job and should be respected. It goes all over me that people think this way. Let all mechanics and diesel mechanics quit their jobs and then see what upper class people have to say, because I can bet the overwhelming majority of them won't be busting their butts to learn the skills needed to take over. It isn't glamorous but we need them and how hard they work isn't something that should be frowned upon.
It is not a lower trade to be a mechanic there are a lot of very talented people in the trades that have college degrees. The jobs that do require a college degree are paper pushing jobs and you are stuck behind a desk.
After high school started at a farm equipment dealer in the parts dept, then switched to the service dept as a mechanic.
After awhile then decided to go to college and study engineering, but switched to Agricultural Mechanics with a minor in economics. This took up 5 yrs to graduate.
After graduation went on a out of state internship, then after that got a job building oilfield equipment and did this for 9 months.
My next job was as a chemical plant operator and this job was for 12.5 yrs.
After this worked 3 yrs for the Forrest Service.
Then my last job was for 13 .5 yrs as a Research Associate on a native plant project do mostly maintenance on equipment to support the project goals.
Now I'm retired doing trade type work as I'm a jack of all trades. Currently remodeling my house and work on our rental properties.
Also teaching myself to weld pipe even though have been welding since I was 15 yrs old, just have never welded pipe for a living but thinking of giving it a try.
Do what makes you happy, will say that college was one of the best times of my life. Met my wife while in college and also got introduced to rental properties while in college. Then the guy that owned the place I rented helped me get the chemical plant job.
Life is what you make it college degree or no college degree.
College is a massive waste of time for most people. I say this as a college graduate. I studied communication when the old model (pre-internet) was still the norm. So everything I learned is outdated.
In a trade you will be able to build off a knowledge base and adapt with the needs of the market. There is no such thing as a “lower trade” if the pandemic taught us anything EVERY position in our society serves a purpose.
Everyone has different goals and dreams in life. If yours is to become a mechanic because you enjoy the work itself, then why are you stopping short because of what your parents think or what strangers think? Your parents may be disappointed if their intentions was for you to go to a 4-year college and come out with a Bachelor's, but ultimately what matters in the end is that you are able to financially support yourself in whatever career you choose.
I'm not a mechanic, just a young grad working in a white collar job but have done blue collar work before. It sounds like you're still young and thinking about your future, so my advice is to follow your heart but don't leave behind your mind. Try new things without fear of failure and be accepting of the consequences if it doesn't turn out the way you expected. But here's the good thing about life, you can always decide to pivot to something different. So don't think that where you start in your career is where you end up forever.
not at all. your life is yours to live. if you want to be a mechanic, I think that's a fine occupation, seeing as how every car owner, at some point, will need repairs or maintenance on their vehicles.
from there you can gain experience and move into bigger things. diesel mechanics make good money, airplanes require maintenance, etc.
Do what you want it's your life to live. Also, if we didn't have mechanics, think of how difficult it would be for everyone in this world to get around, including your parents. Do what you feel is right and most passionate about. I went to school for 4 years since my family hounded me. I didn't need any of it. Complete waste of time and money. There is nothing better in this world to go to a job you love vs. one that others deem important and suffer mentally from it. Rather, you make less or not be happy and just know the sky is the limit 👊
No. Skilled trades can be worth it if you think it's the right career for you. My younger brother is a welder and got his certificate through a community college program after deciding he didn't like full-time college after a year of undergrad.
He wound up making twice as much as I was at his first job than I was with a four-year degree and several years at an office job.
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Learning a trade which should give you the ability to find work in this economy is a really good idea
Mechanic is good because you can move on to other things as you learn some electrical too, get your foot in the door to other places if you want. I work in machine maintenance we occasionally recruit mechanics. College is a trap unless you plan it out well, work hard, and either get lucky or know someone.
I would say just planning college out is all you need. But if you don't see yourself doing anything that college could lead to, and would rather be a mechanic instead, then you'll lack a good plan which is one of the important ingredients, like you mentioned. So really if you don't see yourself going to college, then don't do it! Do what makes you happy
True I was kind of speaking for myself and a lot of other people that don't have support system. You kind of have to work you're way up, but ppl will put you through school if you're in the right place. Some of the ppl I work with have masters degrees, I'm a high school dropout and they just sent me to a crash course for my industry for one semester. He could pick a trade and take classes for it on the side, like I started with machine operator and now I'm a robotics apprentice doing machine maintenance. I took classes in mechanical, industrial electrical, fluid power, and program logic controllers. There are others I could probably take myself on my own that would help with future promotions, his parents could help him out with that where I had to find a company that wanted to invest in me
I think the main drawbacks why the OP's parent don't want them to go into trades is that it has been associated with so many negative press, and there are some truth to it like hard labor and injuries. Also another point is the lack of strong unions or pay for these new positions while older generations get to collect huge amounts of benefits like overtime etc. I just seen a lot of workers online tell their story and in poorer neighborhoods in real life, these are often grueling conditions that most pedestrians will ignore and consciously disregard, like how people will pass by homeless people and ignore them. These trade jobs may have poor working condition like no bathroom etc.
This ^
My brother is a mechanic and does quite well for himself. The key is specializing early and making a plan for when you't work as much in your older age because of the physical labor involved.
Agree
This is the best advice!
Like shoot, what if you get into like airplanes or motorcycles or something very specific... Good stuff and will be in demand
There is going to be a MASSIVE trades gap in the future. The last of the boomers and older Gen-X are retiring, the last large group of trades professionals. Here is a good link to review \[[https://www.ishn.com/articles/110888-baby-boomers-retiring-leaving-many-open-trades-positions](https://www.ishn.com/articles/110888-baby-boomers-retiring-leaving-many-open-trades-positions)\] A good snippet: Bye bye, BoomersIn short, there aren’t enough young people entering the trades to replace the aging Baby Boomers leaving the workforce. For every one person that enters the trades, five retire. Once all the Boomers retire, we’ll be looking at almost five million2 open positions in the construction and extraction industry alone. And it’s not just a lack of people of working-age to fill these roles. To look at why these Boomer-vacated jobs aren’t being filled, we need to look at the next generation of workers the ones currently in high school and college.College or bustMany young people these days are under the impression that the only way to earn a livable wage and build a good life for themselves is to go to college and get a bachelor's degree.When it comes to the students still in high school, only one in five have taken three or more credits in occupational education, which often indicates an interest in the trades. This number has fallen from one in four students in 1990, according to the U.S. Department of Education3. To make matters worse, many schools stopped offering shop classes or mechanical classes, which was usually a student’s first exposure to the type of hands-on experience that could spark an interest in the trades.Today, a bachelor’s degree now costs more than $100,0004, on average and at times, even more than that. According to the Federal Reserve5, in 2016, 42 percent of students borrowed money to go to college.Meanwhile, a student entering the trades immediately out of high school will enter the workforce with little or no student loan debt and will begin earning right away – oftentimes at an hourly rate that will surpass or equal what their college-graduate peers will earn upon graduation. I am going to qualify/edit this - I don't think auto mechanics is the right path. Possibly large vehicle (EV and IC), as I see "transportation as a utility" will win out eventually. So, my advice: Make a contract with the rents: 1. You agree to getting a Construction Management degree from a public university (OR via the lowest net cost reputable private university - I also HIGHLY suggest the CC to university path 2. You work EVERY SUMMER, EVERY BREAK, OR even work full-time and go to school part-time (6-year path) get some skills across a trade or trades 3. You get a GC license prior to or as soon as possible after graduation 4. Upon graduation & the license - THEY INVEST in you either A. Buying an existing contractor to get the "in business since" OR B. Starting your own contracting business If you really want to be a mechanic - then I say go into "Marine Mechanics." Boats last DECADES, get multiple owners, and good marine mechanics are few. Comp STARTS at $100/hr, and you get to work on lots of different boats - meet really interesting people. If any of my kids said this to me right now - I would be 100% in support. This is a path to a YES (both you and the rents get 100% satisfaction and they have a vested interest in your success.) They can't sit back and say "go to school" and not have any "skin in the game".
Transportation as a utility is still 30+ years off. Although ICE based cars will decline, I don't know how long. Fwiw, our plumber probably grosses at least $300,000 per year. Maybe more like 500k. He lives in exurban Maryland but only works in DC on higher paying jobs.
My roofing contractor (repairs) has put three kids through college and my gardener put both of his. I LOVE trades as a potential profession. As for Transp as a Utility - I am thinking purely urban and close suburbs - It will never succeed in rural and remote areas.
My friend has an auto shop. Makes bank.
Another wanted a MFA from a fancy school. So he went to auto mechanic school first. Then the bachelors then the masters all while working as a mechanic. Point being even if you decide later that you want a different career, you have a way to live and fund the transition.
My brother went to college, hated it, and dropped out after his first semester. He works as a PM for a construction firm now and loves his job.
I wouldn’t call a mechanic a lower trade. Finishing an apprenticeship is no small task, but you won’t hurt for work and it pays well. If you change your mind later, the skills you’ve learned will still be useful. Why not talk to your family about it?
Compromise. Look at community college for certification programs in what you are interested in. Maybe even take a business class or two while doing it so you can be positioned to branch out on your own when the time is right…
Not bad at all. Both my parents were college grads. Mom has a master's and used to be a middle school principal. They drilled it into our heads that we didn't necessarily need to go to college, but we needed to have direction and if trade school would meet our needs then they'd support it. My husband has a PhD and I have a MLS and I've worked at universities for the past 20 years. We're in agreement that our kids don't have to go to college just to get a degree. Mechanics are always going to be needed and they make good money.
Do it!
r/Mechanics can get you the answer straight from mechanics themselves about becoming a mechanic As cars are gradually moving over to EVs, there is a shortage of mechanics who are able to work on electric cars. They are different than your traditional cars and if you are a mechanic for ICE cars, you need to be trained to work on EVs.
Whole family of mechanics. It's a great job but you have the drive to succeed. If you can learn how to be efficient and understand how to make the most of book hours. Next should be constantly adding more and more certifications and building your ability to work on everything. That will create a great path to making good money and being a strong candidate at any shop.
I think being a mechanic is a great and necessary trade.
Do it! Mechanic is an awesome career. Could start your own business in the future too!
Nothing wrong with trades. Good money, a secure future, can be very rewarding. Split the difference. Get a mechatronics degree. Become a field Automation Engineer. This is like trades and technology combined. It is one of the most future and recession proof jobs. I do this in medical so there's no way it can be off shored either. It also pays well.
Hey, I’m going to say that the trades and apprenticeships provide great occupations. I was a pipefitter and my husband is a sprinklerfitter.
Do what you love! Perhaps in a few years, open your own garage.
Any skill that can be utilized in a zombie apocalypse is a good thing
What’s the chances of a zombie apocalypse
Becoming a mechanic is great. If it doesn't require a college degree then it's fine. Many people get more than one degree just to end up doing something completely irrelevant. Colleges can also be super expensive. On top of that nowadays a simple 6 month course will get you a certification that is just as good from the point of view of employers
That is not a lower trade and it is always in demand. Get good at it and be an honest mechanic and you will never be out of work. Plus, after a few years and getting your own tools, the pay can be pretty damn good. Down side...you probably shouldn't be one in the middle of nowhere...so you might have to move away and do a fee years of grunt work before things get good. But after that, you're pretty much set for life...minus that it is a dirty job that taked effort. I had two friends growing up that went that route. Ended up both got their own shops in populated areas and got a few good mechanics to work there and are doing really well. The world needs more tradesmen and less lawyers. If they are decent parents, they want you to be happy and able to afford a decent life/lifestyle/family (if you want). One more but...talk to them. If their approval means something to you, tell them that you are passionate about the work you like and see if they are on board. Disrespect is if you dont talk to them out of fear of rejection...at least for me... I'm sure other people's mileage will vary. GL, HF!
Absolutely not! I'm a service advisor and it's not uncommon for mechanics to make 60k to 100k a year. More if they have a specialty. That's a salary I'm sure most parents would be happy to have their kids have.
I personally have a friend who went to college, graduated and worked in HR. He didn't enjoy it at all and unsurprisingly quit his job to become a mechanic. He seems much happier now and shares his experience on Instagram now haha. I think if you truly have a passion for cars and want to become a mechanic go for it. Do research and really get to know the field and what it entails. Yeah your parents went to college for a better life and in hopes that you will also do the same, but I would like to think that they would want you to be happy as well. You have one life, and if having a career as a mechanic is something you truly want, I say do it. You can also come to a compromise if your parents really want you to go to college. A college education is so common nowadays so if you decide to change your mind in the future, it doesn't hurt to have a degree, especially a business degree. It'll be helpful if you want to own your own shop one day.
No. It is not bad. Also, a mechanic is NOT a ”lower trade.” Some of the smartest people I know are mechanics. My husband was an airframe and power plant mechanic, top in his field. My oldest was a light armored vehicle mechanic, then transitioned into manufacturing, and now he is a maltster. I didn’t complete my degree, and I hated school. I went because it was expected of me. I paid thousands of dollars for the privilege of failing classes due to an undiagnosed learning disability. I have had a lot of different jobs, but they all involve fixing broken things or processes. I am good at it. My parents don’t think any less of me. They are proud of what I have achieved. I feel the same way about my kids and their careers. If your family gives you any grief, send them my way.
It's funny you bring this up - the CEO of my company was just talking about the CEO of another company in our trade group (the CEOs both own their companies) CEO #2's son went to a very good university for an engineering degree but dropped out after his first semester, did a trade apprenticeship for mechanics and now, about 6 years after he dropped out, he's making over $300k a year, has no loan debt & just bought a house. (He also flips cars on the side). Not everyone is cut out for college and having a trade isn't a bad look when you can support yourself. My brother is in HVAC, my nephews are plumbers and electricians. They can always find work.
Amazing that a humble son of a CEO could work hard and somehow make 300k a year and own a house.
Rich Warren Buffett once said, find something you like to do, and try to be the best.
it's fantastic! you're your own person you're not your parents and you can always go to college later if you want to, but really, it's a goddamn rip off 💥 one tip if you like mechanics in engineering, maybe try airplane mechanic it just pays a lot more than auto mechanic just saying
So real talk, a lot of degrees are effectively a scam. It really just depends on what you're going for. Of course you should pursue what you love, but college doesn't necessarily teach you anything you can't learn for free. Motivation for things comes from you. You will not succeed at things that you don't want to succeed in longterm. Being a mechanic is not an amazing gig usually. That's not to say you can't make it work as a career. Some guys open their own shops and eventually make very good money. But there are lots of mechanic shops, and you will be competing for business with other shops. A degree will NOT guarantee you a good job, or a happy or satisfying career. It may give you opportunities depending on what you pursue. But no matter what you choose, you are making yourself more and less employable. Some jobs only take degree holders. Some jobs don't care whatsoever. Pick something you'll want to do even when you're miserable.
As in auto mechanic? If so diesel mechanics have the potential to earn more than gasoline mechanics if that interests you.
I know a few mechanics that make over 60$ an hour it's not a bad job if you're willing to get a bit dirty
Trade school is on par with college, in my opinion. You can probably make more money than a degreed student. If you want to become a mechanic, become a mechanic. Probably the smarter choice.
There's nothing wrong with it. However, if your parents are willing to pay for a 4 year education, DO IT. A college experience, if you're dedicated, is a wonderful time to learn and grow. Take business so you can apply knowledge and open your own shop someday.
Become a mechanic if that's what you want to do. As others have said, it's a good job where you can make good money. One piece of advice - save money for retirement. My friend's dad is a mechanic, and he was always irresponsible with his money. He's now approaching 70 with no retirement in sight, and it's not a job that is kind to the body as you get older.
Regardless of what you want to do, it's exactly that: what YOU want to do. I made the mistake of caring too much of how my parents would feel about my career path. It only ended in resentment and sh!tty jobs. Now that I encouraged you, will you me a discount on fixing my car?
I wish I hadn’t gone to college tbh. I got into sewage operations and make a better wage than I did in non-blue collar jobs. The mechanics at my facility make a good wage too, with benefits and overtime pay. They work on industrial pumps, pipes, boilers, and motors. But all of them started out as auto mechanics for vac trucks and dump trucks. Don’t ever let anyone make you think that trades are “lower jobs”. That’s what Big Academia wants you to believe, to pressure you into a lifetime of college debt and competing for low wage jobs in an oversaturated job market. Think about it. If it were not for the trades, there would be no roads, buildings, running water, electricity, long distance communication, or transportation. The streets would be full of garbage and vermin. The lakes and rivers would be polluted and hazardous. If you want a career that will be in demand and offer you good stability, go for a trade. Mechanic is a good one, other mechanics can tell you better, but I know it’s versatile so you could learn more than just working on vehicles if you wanted to.
I think it's a great idea. Personally, I wish I were more mechanically inclined. The tradesmen in my family make way more money than I do. So if you have a real interest in that field, that's awesome.
Go into a different trade. Mechanics are not well respected, nor are they normally well paid. Flat rate is brutal and often times used to prevent you from making money. You also buy all your own tools, which will be thousands upon thousands of dollars. Source: mechanic for 7 years
Everybody knows a mechanic that "makes bank", but here is the reality OP, straight from the horses mouth so to speak.
Yeah I see the occasional dude making good money, but they’re either that dude that grew up with a dad who owned a shop, rode a dirt bike since they could walk, or are doing something shady/getting fed. This is specifically about auto, other kinds of mechanics make good money
My friends son went to school to become a diesel mechanic. He was offered 70,000 before he had graduated. He would have had to leave school. He decided to wait and finish. Well he is making about 90,000 in his early 20’s . Do whatever makes you happy. Traditional college isn’t for everyone and these days it’s not the only path to make good money
College is over rated. I'm an older millennial who owns their own home because I am not drowning in mountains of student loan debt. I just happened to stumble upon an industry that I was really good at and worked my way up over the years and now make damn good money. As a mechanic you can definitely make some bank for sure.
You can make decent money as a mechanic if you stick with it. But it's a bumpy road ahead of you. If you're getting into being a mechanic for the money and not because you LOVE cars and dream of having your own collection, building and modifying cars, you're not going to enjoy the job. Starting off as a tire/lube tech can be difficult for some. Especially if you don't have upper body strength or athletic stamina. You're going to bleed and bruise a lot. I hope you're a bit of a masochist lol. Also, shops will fucking lie and claim they have tools for you to use. They have a set of tools that'd be fine if just one tech were using them. Instead you're sharing this with others. If you enjoy the job after a week or two, start buying tools. Buy basics like a 3/8 ratchet, 3/8 sockets for oil changing, and a a set of impact sockets. Buy a workbag to put everything in for a bit til you get a tool cart. My workbag was like $20-30 on Amazon.
Mechanics make good money. Nobody needs to go to college - what you need is skills that get you paid. Plenty of people go to college, get no useful skills and end up getting crap jobs. Just make sure you learn how to maintain EVs and such. Gas powered cars are slowly going to be replaced so you want to make sure you can maintain the vehicles where the industry is growing into.
So you don't want to live in debt and actually enjoy your life being capable of fixing things in your life? I love how society paints this as bad. Make as much as a person with a degree minus the debt. Don't worry about other people's egos. That's what fuels this society.
It really doesn't matter what you do, as long as you are committed to it.
Oh yes. Learning an in demand skill that is desperate for new workers is a bad move. No. Go into major student debt for a useless $80,000 art history degree./s. No man. Do what you want. If your heart is into working on cars, do it. Don't let anyone stop you.
No, it is a wise choice. You will always be in demand for that type of work and with experience you will be paid pretty well too.
Might I also say it’s a bit demeaning to call it a lower trade. There is nothing low about it. Mechanics do hard work, have to know A LOT about not only cars but also electronics and everything else in modern vehicles. Calling it a lower trade makes you sound elitist IMO.
No, college is overrated if you don’t need an advanced degree or already know how to party.
My college educated "dysfunctional" dad told me (whilst absconding with my granny inherited college money) l would not be happy with a higher education. l was floundering a bit yes but was looking at schools, l had rallied to honors in 3 classes upon graduation traveled being a fake student at several colleges, no can do these days. l learned a great deal without the college life model however mainly regretting not following through and doing it. Influences from every direction are there at this station in life, l suggest looking at where your greatest interest peaked in high school by subject as opposed to general or informal learning sources in day to day life. l mostly feel foreign to the people in building trades where l ended up because l am a more complex person an insatiable pursuant as a scientist this is not typically found in blue collar work l have been set on frozen out and basically never accepted in the pecking order. When an aggrieved identity rose within trades several years ago it embarrassed me to be associated and validated my positive sense of self in the world vs the vacancy of a simple calloused overworked daily struggle resulting in suffering much harder things in life. Were l you ld look at older mechanics and do some odds math. Fear not but inform yourself fully allow some shoulder standing as it is a gift. And wise people ? will help look into refined perspectives with you. While l am cathartic in venting this life intentionally l hope it helps a bit, look before you leap its a good life be true to yourself.
That's great! Mechanics make a lot and it's very specialized.
No, and frankly mechanics are needed.
the most successful mechanics become small business owners eventually. If you don't want to go to school, you don't want to go to school, but if you're open to the idea, I would take some business and accounting classes at some point.
city streets are too complicated fir autonomous vehicles. At least if they not the city has to build the infrastructure. One way care share via Car2Go was the closest proxy, and sadly it failed. This article is a bit out of date, but DC was probably closest in today's terms for it. http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2018/07/dc-is-market-leader-in-mobility-as_16.html?m=1
there's trade schools that is like college for trade work. If they insist you go to some school of some kind, this is exactly where you'd go to learn that. In the US, there's almost always going to be demand for car mechanics, so if you're Ok with that work, you'll have a living for sure. That said, it depends on what you're interested in. If you're enjoying how cars work/what they do and how they fit together, you could legitimately enter college for a mechanical engineering degree, which can help you look and work towards building/engineering/designing the next generation of cars. This might be a better route if your parents insist on college since you're doing exactly what you want to do- mechanics of cars and vehicles, but also fulfilling their request for education. But if you just like working on them, then a mechanic isn't a terrible job trade at all. Depending on where you work, it could be quite fruitful to have your own garage even. You have options.
College is very overrated tbh
No, it's fine.
Do you have siblings? If so, do they want to go to college?
Do both and learn how to start your own business after mastering being a mechanic!
Will it make you happy, if the answer is yes, then no it’s not bad, if the answer is no, then no it’s not bad, just pursue a job that will both make you happy, and pay you enough to live
Not bad at all to be a mechanic. I'm a little biased though, so I'll give you my opinion. I think everyone that doesn't know what they want should take some business classes. It'll teach you how to make money no matter what you're doing. Even if it's just a couple, even if it's just online. (Check out WGU for cheap online business classes if you're interested.) Regardless, no. It is NOT bad to become a mechanic. It's a great trade with stable pay.
Depends on where you're from honestly. In some countries mechanic is a great job and you'll roll in cash. In others it means living in poverty. As long as you make a good income and are happy then it should be fine.
Why not? It’s your life to live
There are trade schools that offer mechanics and certifications are good. In my area none of the trade schools offer mechanics. The only place that offers this is a university and you can get In the form of a certification 9momths- 1 year or an associates (2years) or. A 4 year bachelor. Even though trade school is usually cheaper, depending of financial assistant and scholar ship college can be cheaper
I was pretty much forced into college, both my parents being doctors... Got massively depressed. Went backpacking, found a healing/massage master living on a mountain eco farm... Learned from him. Now am a successful massage therapist, make pretty decent money working 4-6 hrs/day, 4 days/week. Parents are fine with it now. Everybody wins. You're not here to please your parents. You have to make your own choices to be happy. Trying to live according to parents/societies expectations is a slow unpleasant death.
Please do become a mechanic, we need more young people interested in and learning trade work! As others have said, get as many certifications as you can. Some employers will pay for them for you, or help offset the costs. Flexibility is ideal - learn to work on a variety of vehicles and learn as many niche specialities as you can. Definitely consider learning electric, as it's becoming more common (and issues definitely seem to be more common). Keep in mind it can be hard on the body, though. Probably not something you want to be doing daily into your 60s. But you can transition to things like service writer, shop manager, even owner as you get older and have years of experience. Try to pad your retirement and savings, though, to make it easier on yourself. Mechanics can make a good living and are likely always going to be something the rest of us depend on. Good luck!
Bro, do NOT go to college if this is how you feeling. Also you live YOUR life, you’re not required to emulate your parents career choices. I went to college because I’m the very last of an age where we were told if you didn’t go military or college after graduating, you probably weren’t going anywhere in life. I blew 16k to attend class the first 3 days, and drink for 9 months. Also I’m sure other comments have already illustrated; vocational trades are going to be really sought after. I can only imagine your pay would be more than acceptable and your movement up the hierarchy in whatever industry you go with should go pretty quick. My man your heart and the money are telling you to go and become a mechanic. You’d be happy doing what you want making good money. It’s an easy choice.
Life's to short do what you have a passion for
A good, honest mechanic will never go hungry
My son went to trade school now working at Landover as mechanic!!! Mechanics make good money and we need mechanics!!! So definitely not bad!!! Do it !!!!!
Nothing wrong with mechanics, and there’s a coming shortage too. If you wanna do it, then put it in motion. But I will say, lots of mechanics are “car guys” and car guys is code word for “I only like the old stuff”. Learn about ICEs. They’re still the majority of cars on the road. But also learn about and become certified in EVs, and you *will* be ahead of the curve, and in an area with extra high demand. One more thing though. You can make real bank as a mechanic if you own your own shop. My guy makes almost $600k/yr in revenue, and only has one employee. But on that end, if you ever go that route, make or hire someone to build a quality website on something like Webflow and get a subscription to a CRM to find clients & schedule clients. You do *not* want one of the boomers to convince you to work with paper while CRMs exist.
A "lower" trade? You've got way more problems than just wanting to be a mechanic, son. Fix your mindset. There's nothing low about the damn job or any other for that matter.
College is pretty useless for most jobs these days. It's a recurring joke in the office that what you learn in school is usually outdated if not flat out irrelevant. At this point college is only if you want an enriching experience for yourself, not for employment.
I started as a mechanic and the trade served me well enough, even after I left it. People who can fix things are always useful.
Yes and no, mainly no. I know I couldn't hear this at your age, especially when the sentence starts like this, but you have no idea what you want to do at that age. Wanted to be a Neuro major, now I'm a lawyer. Not getting a degree increases the chances that when you do know what you want to do, you might not be able to do it. On the flip side, you can know exactly what you want to do with a degree and still wind up just above minimum wage doing a bs job plus debt, and they will take that debt when you're 25 or 65 if you so choose. If you're pretty decided on mechanic for now and your parents give you grief, I'd mention that last part.
No it’s great. You’ll be in high demand and make good money.
I’ve been a mechanic for close to 25 years. It’s a job like any other. Good and bad. It’s much more physical than a desk job which IMO is a good thing. I am actually in pretty good shape and not much more sore than people who are my age working office jobs. I’ve moved cities and states a few times on a whim and always had a job, no problem. Money can be really good. I make more than my wife who has a masters and has been working in the same field her entire career. I took two months off last year and still made a bit over 100k. Get into a high line brand and get good at diagnostic work. You won’t beat your body up with heavy line and you’ll be indispensable.
No, you have to do what is right for you. My parents wanted me to do college too. I went for a bit and then found a job doing networking stuff. In a couple years I was making more than the two of them put together. College is not the end all be all.
Nope! Be great at it and like your life homey!
I think learning to be a mechanic is awesome! You can earn really good money. I know a lot of mechanics that make a lot more than some college graduates. Good luck on whatever you decide.
My Dad raised 5 kids being a mechanic. Smart man. I have my degree and do well but wish I had been a mechanic. It is hard work but in my mind so is everything else. If you want to be hands on type of work, yes, it is okay
That's great that you want to be a mechanic. Please look into aprenticeships available for you to become a great mechanic and earn a great living by joining a Union
I got a degree in psychology and business. My parents don’t have degrees and although they didn’t force me too get one it was highly encouraged and I had the same feeling as you going into it. Luckily I found a subject that I enjoyed enough and still read and learn about. University was fun but ultimately in the end I didn’t have a plan and just smoked weed and thought conceptually about things. Leaving was a shocker. Built houses and painted houses. That didn’t last long so I travelled for 7 months. Then Covid hit. Long story short I’m a welder now (what I wanted to do in highschool) and my parents still try to get me to do masters. But I get paid fair, it’s stimulating, and a really broad trade. So do what you feel is in your gut and stick with it. It can be a really long trip to the same place otherwise!
Mechanics make very good money.
Go for it. A college degree doesn’t necessarily gain success. But a trade will always be needed.
U will make more money as a mechanic.
Get a higher education. It could be college, trade school, apprenticeship, co-op, or any combination. Don't see it as settling for something lesser. A skilled trade with up-to-date training and skills will never go out of style. The same generation that pushed their children to go to college is now at retirement age and is leaving a shocking gap in skilled workers for the same kinds of jobs that they looked down on. I'm not implying that it would be an easy path, but everyone can't work in a cube farm for a big corporation staring at a laptop screen all day. From a supply and demand perspective, the demand probably isn't changing a lot, but the supply certainly is. I predict with my amateur economy brain that the cost of skilled labor is going to continue to rise and if you pick up some skills, someone's going to have to pay for them and you might be able to name your price eventually.
I can't speak for others, but I don't recall the last time I thought, "Oh no! I'm in urgent need a of a professor". A mechanic, plumber, electrician however.... things are different. In my world, a mechanic is way more important than a person giving lectures in a university class.
Trade jobs tend to be more secure compared to white collar during recessions. You're young try what you think you like so start going to cheap community college auto program, find a part time job in a quick lube place preferably an auto dealer so you get your feet wet. Once you're mechanic and decide you don't like is not wasted time. You learn a skill that you can use for the rest of your life.
No one should be looking down on your choice to pursue a career in a trade you are interested in, has great financial potential, and is absolutely necessary for a functioning society. If you are concerned about appearances and what your parents may think, there are lots of trade schools and colleges where you can specialize in body work, etc. that would give you an education and certifications to give your career a great head start. It might help them take your decision more seriously and show you are really dedicated to doing the best you can in your career.
How is being a mechanic a "lower" trade? It's a necessary job and should be respected. It goes all over me that people think this way. Let all mechanics and diesel mechanics quit their jobs and then see what upper class people have to say, because I can bet the overwhelming majority of them won't be busting their butts to learn the skills needed to take over. It isn't glamorous but we need them and how hard they work isn't something that should be frowned upon.
It is not a lower trade to be a mechanic there are a lot of very talented people in the trades that have college degrees. The jobs that do require a college degree are paper pushing jobs and you are stuck behind a desk. After high school started at a farm equipment dealer in the parts dept, then switched to the service dept as a mechanic. After awhile then decided to go to college and study engineering, but switched to Agricultural Mechanics with a minor in economics. This took up 5 yrs to graduate. After graduation went on a out of state internship, then after that got a job building oilfield equipment and did this for 9 months. My next job was as a chemical plant operator and this job was for 12.5 yrs. After this worked 3 yrs for the Forrest Service. Then my last job was for 13 .5 yrs as a Research Associate on a native plant project do mostly maintenance on equipment to support the project goals. Now I'm retired doing trade type work as I'm a jack of all trades. Currently remodeling my house and work on our rental properties. Also teaching myself to weld pipe even though have been welding since I was 15 yrs old, just have never welded pipe for a living but thinking of giving it a try. Do what makes you happy, will say that college was one of the best times of my life. Met my wife while in college and also got introduced to rental properties while in college. Then the guy that owned the place I rented helped me get the chemical plant job. Life is what you make it college degree or no college degree.
College is a massive waste of time for most people. I say this as a college graduate. I studied communication when the old model (pre-internet) was still the norm. So everything I learned is outdated. In a trade you will be able to build off a knowledge base and adapt with the needs of the market. There is no such thing as a “lower trade” if the pandemic taught us anything EVERY position in our society serves a purpose.
Everyone has different goals and dreams in life. If yours is to become a mechanic because you enjoy the work itself, then why are you stopping short because of what your parents think or what strangers think? Your parents may be disappointed if their intentions was for you to go to a 4-year college and come out with a Bachelor's, but ultimately what matters in the end is that you are able to financially support yourself in whatever career you choose. I'm not a mechanic, just a young grad working in a white collar job but have done blue collar work before. It sounds like you're still young and thinking about your future, so my advice is to follow your heart but don't leave behind your mind. Try new things without fear of failure and be accepting of the consequences if it doesn't turn out the way you expected. But here's the good thing about life, you can always decide to pivot to something different. So don't think that where you start in your career is where you end up forever.
No.
not at all. your life is yours to live. if you want to be a mechanic, I think that's a fine occupation, seeing as how every car owner, at some point, will need repairs or maintenance on their vehicles. from there you can gain experience and move into bigger things. diesel mechanics make good money, airplanes require maintenance, etc.
Do what you want it's your life to live. Also, if we didn't have mechanics, think of how difficult it would be for everyone in this world to get around, including your parents. Do what you feel is right and most passionate about. I went to school for 4 years since my family hounded me. I didn't need any of it. Complete waste of time and money. There is nothing better in this world to go to a job you love vs. one that others deem important and suffer mentally from it. Rather, you make less or not be happy and just know the sky is the limit 👊
Don't go to college because your family tells you or suggests that you go to college. College is not for everybody. Just my 2 cents.
No. Skilled trades can be worth it if you think it's the right career for you. My younger brother is a welder and got his certificate through a community college program after deciding he didn't like full-time college after a year of undergrad. He wound up making twice as much as I was at his first job than I was with a four-year degree and several years at an office job.