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Career advice really needed!
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Dodgegirl94
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Jul 28, 2013, 8:04 PM
Post #1 of 14
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Career advice really needed!
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Hello! I just signed up because I read a post someone else had about the same thing, but I have a slightly different question.
History: I am a rather stubborn person that sometimes...ok, usually...likes to challenge people. Mainly about what I can/can't do because I'm a girl or because I'm only 19. I am good at only a few things, but i believe mechanics to be one of my talents.
Problem: I think I am completely addicted to anything that has a motor/engine and runs...or doesn't. I love motocross, and I dream of fixing up a classic someday. I also want my own business but then I like a whole crap load of other things that I can see myself doing as a job.
Question: How can I tell if mechanics is something I should do for a career? I work at a gas station and in a very small town so when mechanics I know come in I of course ask questions. There is nothing that gets my full attention like engines and how they run. Everything I'm told sticks in my head, once I'm shown how to do something once, I can usually do it by myself- unless of course its a complicated 50 step process. By all I've said, does mechanics seem like a good fit for me? Or do you think I'm just trying to buck the system?
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Hammer Time
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Jul 29, 2013, 3:00 AM
Post #2 of 14
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Re: Career advice really needed!
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I do sense a lot of attitude there and don't let that be the driving factor. There is a lot of money to be made in this trade but there is also a tremendous, ongoing investment and severe wear and tear on your body. You sound a lot like me in that everything revolved around a wrench when growing up.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jul 29, 2013, 10:18 AM
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Dodgegirl94 : If you are that motivated it will work out for you but as Hammer Time just said it's a tough, expensive proposition, constant training but a much needed trade of course. Good luck with what you decide just know like many things it's a commitment or it won't work out like anything else,
T
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Discretesignals
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Jul 29, 2013, 4:11 PM
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Re: Career advice really needed!
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What do you do at the gas station? Is this a service station?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 29, 2013, 4:13 PM)
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Dodgegirl94
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Jul 29, 2013, 6:26 PM
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It's just a stop and go basically, and I just keep people entertained and make transactions. But the town I'm in is pop. 200+. And because its so small the person who owns the gas station is married to the person who owns a very large auto shop that does grain trucks, paint jobs, repairs, everything really. But then besides that there are two other repair shops in a five mile radius. So I am constantly talking to either a diesel mechanic or a gas engine mechanic.
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Hammer Time
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Jul 29, 2013, 6:30 PM
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You might have to get out of kansas to get any real training and experience though. Heavy trucks is a real hard way to go. Electrical computer diagnostics will make you in high demand.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Dodgegirl94
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Jul 29, 2013, 6:40 PM
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You're the second person to say its a tough job, and I guess I didn't explain right. I work on farms as side jobs, I milk and other random things, so it's not like hard work is something I'm unaccustomed to. I actually prefer it over a cushy job. I scheduled a shadow job with a dealer in the area to see if its something that I would loose interest in or if it will just fuel my addiction for it. (No pun intended haha)
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Hammer Time
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:05 PM
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You will go further working with your brain and not your body. The heavy line stuff will take a toll on your body and it's pretty dead end. The big demand and big money is in the engine performance, electrical and computer diagnostics. If you're good at it, you will never be without a job and you'll still have some working joints at 45 years old.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Dodgegirl94
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:25 PM
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I guess this is the first career I looks at that I didn't automatically calculate my projected earnings. Which is totally out of character for me. As for the attitude, my father is against me driving tractor or having an interest in vehicles. It's not a feminine job, it's hard, go wear a skirt Yada Yada Yada. I suppose I get the attitude in response to his opinions. I'm a Tom boy, but that doesn't mean I'm not girly.
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Dodgegirl94
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:27 PM
Post #10 of 14
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Kansas? And I hate computers but its a good suggestion, thanks!
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Discretesignals
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:27 PM
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You sure don't want to end up lookin like this by 45:
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Discretesignals
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:36 PM
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There is an article in Underhood Service that I was reading while in the bathroom at work. It was about a female shop owner in New York. Maybe you can contact her via her website Great Bear Auto. She might give you some advice.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Dodgegirl94
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:39 PM
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That's really cool! The dealer that's letting me shadow people has two female mechanics, that's kind of what prompted me to look into mechanics more.
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Discretesignals
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Jul 29, 2013, 7:46 PM
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Check out this vid....she's cool and passionate about her work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnDhJU3FHNQ
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 29, 2013, 7:47 PM)
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