I loved cars as a teenager, and I worked in an automotive repair shop and then a Ford truck dealership for several years, while I put myself through school. Drove truck, took after hours shifts on the tow truck, etc, to pay the bills. I took 6 years to do a 5 year Mechanical Engineering degree, and I added in elective courses in managerial accounting, finance, economics, and even philosophy. The mechanic background gave me an appreciation of the hands on aspects, and engineering taught critical thinking skills. Like many engineering graduates, several years later I wasn't doing what I call real engineering (design, etc) any longer, but I never regretted getting the education and my professional designation.

I went to work for a heavy equipment company (tractors, excavators, loaders, mining trucks, industrial power, etc), managed projects, sold engines and then equipment, went into operations management, spent time as a national general service manager, and rose through management to the executive level. I always tried to keep close to the service management side of the business, since that is where the money is made. Personally, I was successful enough to let me buy the cars I wanted, which brings the story full circle.

Education is never wasted. Don't think of it as job training, but rather life training. You need sales skills, people skills, and common sense, as well as technical skills. A natural step out of the shop or field service area in my business was as a product support sales rep, calling on customers and selling parts and service. It led to either service management, or equipment sales, both of which led to branch manager positions. Just a thought from another perspective.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

I'm also 28, also been a mechanic for about 8 years, But my first couple years were with independents and the last 6 with the BMW dealership. I know if I ever left/lost my job at the dealer I'd be able to jump into another shop really quickly and not lose a step, but also am really good with woodworking and metalworking... but none of these skills earn a higher income than the others really. The 20 year master techs at my dealer ask me all the time why I don't go do something more with my life like be an engineer or something.

Maybe I just need to patent some of the ideas I've had/made in the past... I do like fabricating things and am decent and conceptualizing new ideas/gadgets. I'd honestly be happy if I had enough money to buy/outfit a big ass shop to build anything I want, maybe throw patents on some things I've done to sell to manufacturers etc. (maybe I should play the lottery?)

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"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot

You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is

imola38

Seems to me you need to ask the question
"What do you want to do most in life"?
What would make you want to get up in the
morning just to go do it and it wouldn't
be like work?

Yes, yes, yes, money is important but the prime
directive is and will always be "Choose what makes you happy.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Quicksilver ............ exacto mundo ..... choose what makes you happy....

Here's a different one for you! My hobby many years ago of martial arts training became a passion and eventually a career. I work at the international headquarters for the organization and have been with them for 30 years. I am blessed to travel all over the world and work with people from all walks of life. My son is now off to college so my wife will soon begin traveling with me. My advice is the same as above posts. Get your education, find something you have a passion for, and go for it.

In this economy, how can anyone 'choose'? Choices are limited.

I would love a change, but the fear of losing everything on a career change keeps me where I am. It pays the bills.

I know that someone who has taken the liberal approach and been highly successful will tell you DO IT, DO IT NOW! But there are probably thousands who took the risk and failed. Should you be conservative and stay put, or take the risk? Only you can answer that.

My opinion is (please don't destroy me for saying this) that if you aren't married by 30, you never will. You have probably already learned too much about people, and the list of "I cannot live with that" items will grow and grow.

Signed, Single at 44.

Wow thanks for all the replies so far guys! I totally understand and can relate to every response. To Viper-I hear ya on the getting married thing, and i've already been through enough to cause one to throw in the towel, but my Christian background keeps me in hopes of someone I can 'live with" in the future. Anyway, Im enjoying life too much right now to get married

Thank you guys again for reading!

-Ben

Agreed with Viper on the career thing. Not everyone has the "luxury" of trying out different hats, especially in this horrible economy. Paying bills and putting food on the table can take precedence over experimentation. And anyway, for every "go get-em" cliche out there, there is another opposite one that can be just as valid:

You can say: "Carpe Diem!"......I can say "Slow and Steady wins the race".

As for marriage....it ain't so bad, that's what PRENUPS are for!

I'm working and going to school right now, and I'll tell you two things: I don't sleep much, and theory doesn't get you the job, the random experiences and connections do.

More than once my best opportunities have come out of an activity or a project I'm doing for class. That landed my current job which I think is pretty decent for a college kid. I work in Community Relations for a healthcare system. I'm glad for the experience but I also learned what I don't want to do. I really don't like health care.

That said, my parents have gone through dramatic career changes (Airline Pilots in past life, now small business owners) and there have been challenges, but they did pretty well for living in an isolated economy like Maine. I say go for it, it might me a challenge, but whats life if you don't love what you do? Try stuff! I know its a lot easier to get out of bed when I'm working on events than when I have 8:30 physics.

My school thinks you should get married before you can drink. Whats the point of a wedding without booze?!

This all said, TGIF. Time to meet up with friends.