Does anyone want a career change?

[rob_kibbe]

All,

I'm Robert Kibbe - I host The MuscleCar Place podcast show that has been posted here a few times. I'm sure that this could be a bit of a weird thread, but over the next 30 days I really want to hone my business in on how to give the most important people in the world (i.e. you) exactly what it is that they want. I'm starting with, of all things, career change questions!

It may seem a little weird, but one of the things I speak with people most about is doing a career change. I used to be a full-time cubicle dwelling engineer, and now I get to run The MuscleCar Place and work with start-up companies that are more closely related to my love for cars and engines. My life is not easier than it was before, but I do enjoy it more!

So, the point of this thread is to figure out if people actually want help doing an automotive career change, or if it's more of a passing fancy. I've got a survey set up for just that here, and I'd love your feedback. This will tell me if it's an area I need to focus on for people or if I need to concentrate on something else!

Click here to take survey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YBWPLTM)

As an incentive, those that take the survey will receive two entries into our monthly $200 Gift Certificate contest from TCI (the winner will be chosen June 13).

Thanks for the help!

-Rob Kibbe
-Host, TheMuscleCarPlace.com (http://www.themusclecarplace.com) Podcast
-Contributor, StreetLegalTV.com, ChevyHardcore.com

[ChevelleNV]

Its kind of ironic, I actually left the automotive industry because I was loosing interest (Worked for EPD racing Cylinder Heads in the 90's). and since I left the industry I know appreciate cars again.

Myself I could never work in the industry again...it would kill my passion for cars as a hobby

[rob_kibbe]

Its kind of ironic, I actually left the automotive industry because I was loosing interest (Worked for EPD racing Cylinder Heads in the 90's). and since I left the industry I know appreciate cars again.

Myself I could never work in the industry again...it would kill my passion for cars as a hobby

Thanks, Greg! You're definitely not alone in that.

For those of you that do complete the survey, be sure to leave a reply here (or PM me) that you did so. I'm using people's replies here that they've completed the survey as an entry. I'll admit that I thought the survey would ask for an e-mail address, but after testing it myself I see that it did not!

Thanks to all of you! The turnout has been incredible. I'll announce the winner on Monday June 13 at 12PM Central time - so still plenty of time to enter.

-Rob K

[ccracin]

I took the survey Rob. Now I have to check out the pod casts. I too am an Engineer that would like to be more involved in this industry on a professional level. Thanks for taking the time to look into this. :thumbsup:

[camcojb]

I would love a career change ................ :lol:

[out2kayak]

I took the survey.

Hmm... Software architect verses what's in the survey.

:cheers:

[johnnymac46]

I took your survey hope it helps

[CRCRFT78]

I would love to quit my job and do something else. Survey complete.

[Vegas69]

Somedays, but I'm not starting over. :rolleyes:

[Stuart Adams]

I'm working on lottery winner as a career change. Seriously it's weird times.

[awr68]

I would love a career change ................ :lol:

X2!!!

[caper150]

took the survey for you. I did have a career change and then just as I finished school and landed a job I got a call one day asking if I wanted to work at the local rod shop, now I have two awesome jobs. But I told the owner that if he had called me sooner I would never have gone back to school.

[Spiffav8]

I'd like to go back to my old career and keep my current pay check. Is that asking to much? :_paranoid

[DFRESH]

Maybe not a career change, but a job change. I thought about going into the Automotive industry, however my fear would be that it could ruin my passion for the hobby/sport---that would not be worth it. When I see the Tucker's at the events and how they get to participate and the success they have had, I must admit that seems like a pretty good gig---however, I realize they are both engineers and hit the market with the right products, right time, and the right quality---they are skilled at their craft---good with the public, etc. It's not an easy business I'm sure--they still have employee issues to deal with, the public, etc--but sometimes when I am at work and I have Administration blowing up my phone and email account because they need the latest trend from the financials, I wish I could trade places and see if it would a better working life. Shoot, often times I see the leaf blower guy go by my window with his Ipod earphones on and wonder the same thing--lol.

[GregWeld]

What is this 'career' thing you mention? :D

[Vegas69]

As the old saying goes, "The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence".

I agree that once you got into the auto industry, your passion would likely disolve. Now, it's our release for the grind. What would you do if cars were your career? You don't drink....:lol: Yoga..

Me personally, I find that I just can't put in the hours I could in the past. (As my phone rings for the first time this week) So I hired a personal part time assistant that puts in 10 hours a week. I also hired another agent to work under me in a mentor type situation. He sucks a little time but brings in some revenue here and there as well. We've found it tough to transition the people that want me on weekends and such to him. We have resorted to blatantly lying. He tells them I'm out of town and he's fielding my phone calls. Every other way has turned people off. They always feel like they are getting passed off and they aren't important to me. Wrong, I just don't have the energy or passion to work 6-7 day weeks anymore. I do still work a 6 day week here and there. There was a long time where it was the norm. Can't and won't do it anymore. I've got beer to drink and asses to kick on the race track, golf course, shooting range, lake, and out in the woods. Have to keep the old lady happy as well.

[rob_kibbe]

All - thanks so much for your input. I don't even know where to start in thanking you. It's clear that this topic is something that hits home for a lot of us.

Again, thanks for your responses. I'm definitely going to start putting materials together and am already planning how to get going with that. I know it sounds crazy, but I do think it's possible to chase your dreams. I'm not saying it's easy, but it is most definitely possible. I can't tell you what a relief it is for me to NOT hate going to work in the morning!

The survey should be available for one more week. Again - THANKS!!!!!

-Rob K

[toddshotrods]

I just took the survey. I have been in the industry, as a small town custom guy and then shop owner, for the past couple decades. After I finally got the shop built, to chase the dream of being one of the "big name" builders, I figured out that I didn't want that! :rolleyes: I am currently working (in automotive retail parts), and going to school (communications major), while I re-tool my career goals and figure out where I am going next.

One thing is for sure - I can't imagine my life doing anything but working with custom vehicles, in some capacity. I've been married twice, no kids (by choice), and involved in a few different business fields, but this is the only thing that brings peace to my soul. I never made much money, and never really cared because I'm not very materialistic. I have enjoyed my life immensely. I can understand why it's not for everyone though. If cars are your way to relax and unwind from life, working in this industry might definitely be the wrong road. Cars are my life, everything else is a necessary evil to get where I need to go with cars. It's not the vehicle, not the material part, it's mental, psychological. It's the only thing that "does it" for me. :woot:

[michael6372]

I just finished the survey and am very interested in changing careers! I must admit, I am afraid that working in the industry might affect how I feel about it. But, it would be better than the industry I am in right now! Cars are my obsession, and I cannot imagine living my life without being involved with them in some way...

Michael

[98ssnova]

Survey complete but not changing careers got 5 years left until retiremen so after that i will be in the market

[SLO_Z28]

I love my job. I work as a Automotive Technician for a law enforcement agency and I enjoy my work. I have a fleet of about 35 cars that do about 135,000 miles a month and I do everything from the mundane(oil changes and tires) to the unimaginably dirty(you cant imagine what some people do in the back seats), and everything in between. I like the responsibility, I know that these cars may have to safely go 130mph on public roads, and that the officers and the public both depend on them getting there safe. I find that working in industry doesn't burn me out on cars at all.

All that said I do want to join as an officer. Its the finest law enforcement agency in the world, and I know that I have the perfect temperament for the job. Plus getting paid $100,000/year after a few years would help my build progress a little faster :P

[rob_kibbe]

All,

First off, thanks a ton for participating in the survey I put out. I had no idea it would get the response that it did. I've compiled all of the results and put all entries into our $200 TCI Gift Certificate Contest - and the winner was Josh Laird! Josh should have the certificate in hand by now (sent last week).

I thought I'd post up a few pics from the results from the nearly 200 replies received.

http://www.themusclecarplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CareerChange1.jpg

http://www.themusclecarplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CareerChange2.jpg

http://www.themusclecarplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CareerChange3.jpg

Based on all of the feedback I've decided to take some action and start putting together some materials to help people make the leap. I'm not guaranteeing it will be done in a timely fashion. :) I do think it's possible though (I'm living proof), but it's not easy, and it's not quick. I have more details listed here:


http://www.themusclecarplace.com/statistics-dont-lie-muscle-car-careers-rock (http://www.themusclecarplace.com/statistics-dont-lie-muscle-car-careers-rock)

Again, thanks for the feedback. Very much appreciated!!!!! As soon as I have something to share I'll put it up.
-Rob K