Career out of High school

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
I found Aerospace, (worked in both Boeing and Gulfstream facilities), to be very competitive and so the average pay scale was much lower than expected. I took a 30% pay cut to make the transition from industrial manufacturing to aerospace and got a 48% increase when I left it 4 years later. And I was one of only a dozen people in the world trained to service our equipment and the pay still sucked. There are some niche jobs still but I think they are few and far between and the people who hold them, aren't stepping out of the way anytime soon.
 
Location
dfw
Also the system for maintenance is broken down into small tasks that usually have to be inspected. This is why there is no training requirement for working on airplanes. An A&P allows mechanics to do more self inspection or inspect other mechanics work which is only needed on the flight line. In this environment there is plenty of certificated mechanics around so the A&P has very little value. Most jobs that are easy to get are in the middle of nowhere and pay very little, this is because US shops have to compete with shops in Mexico and South America. If you do get a good paying airline job you will work nights, weekends, and holidays until your hair is grey. Aviation industry is currently funding a campaign to lure young people. Don't fall for it!
 
I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and that opened up so many doors. Maybe all of them. I am a manufacturing engineer now. I'm no rich man, but I have job security and a good living. One thing I have learned is this: The closer you are to the money, the more you make. Get close to the processes that people pay for!

alternatively, I would suggest an electrician apprenticeship right out of HS if you don't want to go to college. NO SHAME IN THAT!
 

waxhead

wannabe backflipper
Location
gold coast
I used to be a car mechanic and then worked on a few race teams. That sucked
I retained and became a shop teacher at a high school. Its a way better job
 
Just an update looking fo opinions. I’ve been doing commercial hvac full time and powersports in the side. I’ve found a passion for it and I know deep down this is what I want to do. I’m needing advice on how to do it and if I really can make this dream become possible
 
Just an update looking fo opinions. I’ve been doing commercial hvac full time and powersports in the side. I’ve found a passion for it and I know deep down this is what I want to do. I’m needing advice on how to do it and if I really can make this dream become possible
I read all your advice again and it still got me thinking do I stay in hvac and work my way up? Should hobby’s be hobby’s? Life decisions are a lot harder than I ever thought they would be!
 
I would look at what jobs get paid well and work towards that. There are a lot of good trade jobs that can pay really well and set yourself up for even better things. You can always have a hobby, and it's always nice to have more money to spend on that hobby.
 
Location
Wisconsin
I read all your advice again and it still got me thinking do I stay in hvac and work my way up? Should hobby’s be hobby’s? Life decisions are a lot harder than I ever thought they would be!

You’re probably not going to get a lot of people promoting the idea of getting out of a trade to pursue power sports. Just doesn’t seem like there is much money in it. Good luck. Also, hobbies should be hobbies imo.
 

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
I read all your advice again and it still got me thinking do I stay in hvac and work my way up? Should hobby’s be hobby’s? Life decisions are a lot harder than I ever thought they would be!
When everything started shutting down last spring, people getting laid off. You know who did not get laid off?????? Tradesmen for the most part. HVAC Tech's, Plumbers, Electricians, Flooring Installers, Carpenters, etc etc........... You can make a good living doing HVAC. Go to Trade School at night to get all the HVAC education you can. Doing it already really helps also. But get as much knowledge as you can, this way when you are one of the best around, you can damn near punch your own ticket........... Leave the Powersports to be a Hobby, you need to have something other than work to keep your mind active.........
 
Location
West MI
I would look at what jobs get paid well and work towards that.
Here here. Anyone who says “follow your heart” or “do what you love” or similar never follows up by offering to feed and support your family. (But they are happy to have the govt steal from everyone else to subsidize the bad choices they advocated for /rant).
 

Quinc

Buy a Superjet
Location
California
Here in cali you can work your way up to 100k + a year doing hvac. I have a buddy that just does hvac on weekends as side work and pulls in a ton of money. Also gets to write off his work truck and tools etc on his taxes. :)

Go to a small powersports place and ask the owner and workers what they think? And ask them how often they go and ride etc.
 
Here in cali you can work your way up to 100k + a year doing hvac. I have a buddy that just does hvac on weekends as side work and pulls in a ton of money. Also gets to write off his work truck and tools etc on his taxes. :)

Go to a small powersports place and ask the owner and workers what they think? And ask them how often they go and ride etc.
I actually work at a Jetski shop on saturdays for the experience more than anything. I enjoy it a ton but I think I could do the same thing but make it a bigger operation. Not just jetskis but quads, dirt bikes, side by sides, truck accessories, lifts, and some auto
 
Location
dfw
Great lineman school at our community college. Most graduate and are above 100k their first year out.
Sounds like a trade school recruitment commercial. No blue collar job requires formal education. Its unwise to spend time and money for education if its not required or even valued. The number one most important thing is your relationship with the owner or boss. Without nepotism status, you are just competing amongst the other slaves. Its the same way in white collar environments. For example, I have witnessed guys who were told that they needed a bachelors degree for a promotion, then were told it didn't count after they got it. All the while this manager hired and promoted his nephew and neighbor! This happened at a large defense contractor! So do whatever is YOUR sure thing!! Formal education has, by and large, become someone elses "sure thing".
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom