Changing career decision - Lateral-g Forums

**CamaroAJ** · #1 08-14-2016, 11:20 PM

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 · #2 08-15-2016, 08:43 AM

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

**CamaroAJ** · #3 08-15-2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

https://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 · #4 08-15-2016, 09:52 AM

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 · #5 08-15-2016, 12:21 PM

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

**CamaroAJ** · #6 08-15-2016, 12:31 PM

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 · #7 08-15-2016, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #8 08-15-2016, 10:56 PM

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** · #9 08-16-2016, 10:16 AM

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

dhutton · #10 08-16-2016, 12:30 PM

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