Changing career decision

[CamaroAJ]

Long story short I moved to Texas a few years ago and I hate it here. Being that I'm debt free with the exception of my truck and a trailer I'm picking up Friday, I'm going to move back east when my apartment lease is up at the end of January.

For about the last 15 years or so I've worked for GM dealers with the last 4 or so being with Cadillac as senior or lead technician and to be honest I hate it. I've hated it for the last 10 or so years, but it's hard to get out and into another field without a massive pay cut.

With that said as I have no gf, wife, or kids and no professional metal working experience so is it worth it to take the hit and go find a high end builder to try and get a job with? I learn very quickly so that's not a problem and all other aspects of car building I'd say gives me a huge advantage over someone just out of school or new to the field.

In any case I'm not happy at this point in my life, so no matter what I need to make changes and start enjoying things again.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Can you weld at all? This sounds perfect for you, except you'd have to turn left from Texas rather than right. Click on the words below...

Speedtech is hiring (http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=53333)

[CamaroAJ]

Can you weld at all? This sounds perfect for you, except you'd have to turn left from Texas rather than right. Click on the words below...

Speedtech is hiring (http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=53333)

The employee discount would be amazing for the new extreme subframe lol.

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=52425

This is my build thread. Mig welding I'm pretty strong with. TIG, I've done it and I really want to learn more with it. Sometimes it looks amazing and sometimes it looks like poo.

[Build-It-Break-it]

I'm at the same point you are. I've been wrenching for 15 years,diesel, heavy equipment, school buses, small engine repair, welding, fabricating, etc and have been the lead mechanic at pretty much every job. But it's annoying more then anything now. I don't like dealing with drivers or coworkers with no drive. I also feel I'm not earning up to my potential.

I started school again (dropped out 2 years ago when my son was born) while working still to become a welding instructor. That way I'm still in a field I love and can hopefully help teach someone the right way to do things that's willing to learn.

Maybe go back to school and get a few classes under your belt?

I wish Speed tech was closer to me because of apply in a heart beat. Doing something I love while going to school.

[DBasher]

Ahmad and AJ, what's stopping you guys from starting your own deal?

[CamaroAJ]

Money, headaches from dealing with customers, business insurance, work space, money lol.

I mainly don't want to deal with the business side of things on top of building or fixing cars.

[Build-It-Break-it]

Money, headaches from dealing with customers, business insurance, work space, money lol.

I mainly don't want to deal with the business side of things on top of building or fixing cars.


X2 ^^

I just would want to build cars,make my money and not be bothered while I work. I thought of quitting my current job and just doing one job at a time out of my shop behind my house but there's no guarantee of a steady income. I was going to do it until I finished school.

I wouldn't want to depend on word of mouth and not having a for sure pay check, no benefits, no insurance etc. And in California there's thousands of shops already.

[ErikLS2]

Funny you posted this, I'm in the same boat and have been meaning to post the exact same thread basically. I've been a Lexus Master Tech for 25 years and just had enough, pay keeps going down and down every year, etc.

Best of luck to you, only advice I would give is look at a lot of different opportunities.

Also, some guys who did what I do up in Washington went to work for Boeing who told them that they had the exact skills they are looking for. Apparently it was much more like a real job with real benefits at a real company.

[CamaroAJ]

I think this is a harder decision than picking the paint color for my Camaro. :EmoteClueless:

[dhutton]

My advice to you is never quit your current job until you have a new one in hand. It is easier to find a good job when you already have a job.

Don

[CamaroAJ]

My advice to you is never quit your current job until you have a new one in hand. It is easier to find a good job when you already have a job.

Don

Thats something I've always done. I'd never put myself in a position that I could end up screwing myself like that.

[Vegas69]

Fellas, it takes a big leap of faith and lots of hard work to make the change. When I moved out to Vegas in 99, I was a master GM tech. After only a few years of turning wrenches, i felt like I was almost topped out already in pay. I was one of the most productive techs in the shops I worked at. Luckily for me, one door closed, and another swung wide open.

For the last 16 years, I've been in real estate sales. It was a rough start with many bumps along the way. I feel like I've now slayed this lion and climbed this mountain. My plan is to make the best of the current cycle and retire in 3-5 years. I'm ready for a new adventure. At this point I'm thinking real estate or business coaching.

My advice is to seriously plan, scheme, and plot first. Educate yourself and speak to others in your proposed path. Then go at it guns a blazing. Outwork your competition and believe in yourself. There is plenty of opportunity out there. You just have to be looking in the right place.

[tmadden]

Fellas, it takes a big leap of faith and lots of hard work to make the change. When I moved out to Vegas in 99, I was a master GM tech. After only a few years of turning wrenches, i felt like I was almost topped out already in pay. I was one of the most productive techs in the shops I worked at. Luckily for me, one door closed, and another swung wide open.

For the last 16 years, I've been in real estate sales. It was a rough start with many bumps along the way. I feel like I've now slayed this lion and climbed this mountain. My plan is to make the best of the current cycle and retire in 3-5 years. I'm ready for a new adventure. At this point I'm thinking real estate or business coaching.

My advice is to seriously plan, scheme, and plot first. Educate yourself and speak to others in your proposed path. Then go at it guns a blazing. Outwork your competition and believe in yourself. There is plenty of opportunity out there. You just have to be looking in the right place.


Well said

[out2kayak]

Money, headaches from dealing with customers, business insurance, work space, money lol.

I mainly don't want to deal with the business side of things on top of building or fixing cars.

Something to think about is how much of the business side you want to do verses hiring / outsourcing the business side of things. Do what your good at, get an office manager, etc. for the other stuff. Build a successful team around yourself.

Either that or look for a partner who is good on the business side and you do the technical side. Both do what they excel at.

That said, clearly draw the line as far as who does and owns what. Again, outsource -- get a lawyer involved to set things up correctly from the start. It's not worth all the time and effort building up a business and getting reamed hard / hung up wet.

There is mentoring available at non-profits such as SCORE (https://www.score.org/). Highly recommend a mentor who's been there - done that.

Just a thought. I really hope the very, very best for you!

:cheers:

[chichirone]

Fellas, it takes a big leap of faith and lots of hard work to make the change. When I moved out to Vegas in 99, I was a master GM tech. After only a few years of turning wrenches, i felt like I was almost topped out already in pay. I was one of the most productive techs in the shops I worked at. Luckily for me, one door closed, and another swung wide open.

For the last 16 years, I've been in real estate sales. It was a rough start with many bumps along the way. I feel like I've now slayed this lion and climbed this mountain. My plan is to make the best of the current cycle and retire in 3-5 years. I'm ready for a new adventure. At this point I'm thinking real estate or business coaching.

My advice is to seriously plan, scheme, and plot first. Educate yourself and speak to others in your proposed path. Then go at it guns a blazing. Outwork your competition and believe in yourself. There is plenty of opportunity out there. You just have to be looking in the right place.

Extremely well said. The only limitations to success are those between one's ears. Get clarity on one's goals and as you said, go at it guns a blazing.

[Vegas69]

Thanks fellas..:cheers:

There is no doubt that we get in our own way with self limiting thoughts and perspectives. To achieve extra ordinary results, we must first walk away from normal beliefs and ambitions.

A good buddy of mine once told me that I set my own glass ceiling. At that time, I took it a bit personally. He hit the nail right on the head! There was plenty of room to grow, I just had to believe in it.

[CamaroAJ]

I still haven't made my mind up on what to do. I have thought a lot about what you guys have posted here though. I picked up a new trailer Friday, so now I'm able to just pack everything I own into it and be gone when I figure out what to do.

[l2azorback]

My advice to you is never quit your current job until you have a new one in hand. It is easier to find a good job when you already have a job.

Don

These are great words to live by...."a bird in hand....." You know the rest of it. Very tough to just pull up roots and start a new career. I know it would be very difficult for me to do as well. Fortunately, I love what I do. I wish you the best of luck on your decision here.