New career?

[kustomkyle]

I've been wanting to get an outside perspective on things. Maybe it's time for a new career. Obviously I'm into cars since I'm here, but here are some things about me:

-Went to technical high school and graduated under a Collision Repair technical area. 20+ kids were in the class, only about 5+ were actually there to learn about cars.

-Started working in a body shop out of high school, started out as a bodyman helper but pretty much ended up doing a little bit of everything.

-Went to community college for business. Worked part time at the same body shop while doing this.

-After college, started working full time at the same body shop. Continued to do a "little bit of everything", but ended up getting into parts (not my decision). I've been in there for about 4 years.

For those of you that may have worked in a body/repair shop before and don't anymore, what do you do now? How did you get out? It just seems like I'm trapped. I love cars but am realizing that maybe working on them/being around them at work (especially newer cars) isn't for me. I seem to be too much of a perfectionist for high production work, and maybe not good enough for restoration work; I kind of "fall in love" with what I work on, but "time is money".

If anyone could, please provide any suggestions. In high school I chose the field because that was what I was interested in (besides football, but that wasn't going to happen). I like doing the work, but can't see myself doing flat rate work. Parts has become a major headache, I don't want to do it too much longer.

 

[Fox80]

I took the same route as you, I graduated high school went to a auto body trade school while I worked part time in a busy well respected body shop. After completing the trade school I went full time at this garage, while I worked part time in a performance type restoration shop. I went on to become a I-car certified welder, painter, and underbody tech. I also became ASE certified in refinishing, engine machining as well as performance tuning. When I first went into the trade I was very motivated to be the best and climb to the top of the trade, then I realized the top of the trade was working next to me everyday. And they were just older guys, with tired bodies and more stories. An older guy who taught me a lot of what I know told me to get a job that pays what you deserve, for the most part the auto trade is way under paid because people think you enjoy doing it so its not about the money. I ended up taking a job at an Aerobearing manufacture as a CNC machine programmer and operator, left the trade for the most part and don't regret it. I spent 8 years as a production shop painter, made OK money, but only watched as the industry pushed for faster turn around and less quality. I wanted out and left, you can too. Talk to guys at car shows and so on see what they do, you are young now is the time to try stuff. Three guys who worked in the auto trade with me went to work with me now, and we all love it, weekends off, great pay, great benefits, a pension and I go home at the end of work and I'm not dead tired. Not many 60 year old guys pulling motors or painting cars everyday for a living, keep that in mind.

 

[kustomkyle]

Thanks for the advice. Talked to one of our delivery drivers today about this too, he was a really cool guy. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[mac61891]

I go into the auto industry at a young age because I enjoyed it. I believe I have a gift as well, I see things that many others can not. Almost like the car/truck speaks to me. I loved the challenging jobs and looked forward to going to work every day. However, as time went by, I too, starting thinking that maybe I needed to change careers. I did not love it like I once did. I operated my own auto repair shop in my home town, and did extremely well. I did not normally have the slow times that others had, because I was a go-to for the problem child. I speciallized in units that had been somewhere else already. Made pretty good money and provided well for my family. But, I lost my passion for it.
Just over a year ago, I closed my garage and totally shifted gears with my career path. I now am a Financial Rep selling insurance and financial solutions. The money is not bad with lots of room to grow, and most importantly, I enjoy working on them again when I want to.

 

[AlamoCity210]

Good to hear from the ones who've gone down this path. I'm 23 and wanted (still think of it) to get in the automotive industry cause I enjoy it, but I hear the same stories and outcome. Best advice I heard was not to mistake your hobby for a career. Something along those lines.

 

[kustomkyle]

Good to hear from the ones who've gone down this path. I'm 23 and wanted (still think of it) to get in the automotive industry cause I enjoy it, but I hear the same stories and outcome. Best advice I heard was not to mistake your hobby for a career. Something along those lines.

Yeah that's true. You here "do what you love" but it doesn't seem to apply to your job necessarily. My advice to you would be to stick with what you've got as long as you are somewhat comfortable with it. Here I am giving advice. Well I guess that's a good thing, I've learned a major life lesson.

I go into the auto industry at a young age because I enjoyed it. I believe I have a gift as well, I see things that many others can not. Almost like the car/truck speaks to me. I loved the challenging jobs and looked forward to going to work every day. However, as time went by, I too, starting thinking that maybe I needed to change careers. I did not love it like I once did. I operated my own auto repair shop in my home town, and did extremely well. I did not normally have the slow times that others had, because I was a go-to for the problem child. I speciallized in units that had been somewhere else already. Made pretty good money and provided well for my family. But, I lost my passion for it.
Just over a year ago, I closed my garage and totally shifted gears with my career path. I now am a Financial Rep selling insurance and financial solutions. The money is not bad with lots of room to grow, and most importantly, I enjoy working on them again when I want to.

Thanks for your response as well. You guys seemed to have accomplished more than I have, so in a way thats a good thing for me, as in I have less to worry about.

 

[Peter]

I agree with most of whats everybody says. im 21 and have worked for both chevy and gmc and its time for me to get out and am in school right now making that happen. From talking with the old timers the manufacturers are squeezing the techs more than ever and warranty times are virtually impossible to make a paycheck on. this often leads to the dealership trying to jack up the times on customer pay jobs in what turns into a vicious cycle of poor customer service and unhappy employees. the skills required are staggering and the pay is not; tbh in my opinion its generally a shitty industry to be in

 

[AlamoCity210]

That's why I am sticking with my job in payroll. A/C, indoors and some (not all) beautiful women in their business casual attire. Ahhhhhhh, eye candy. Lol

 

[79wagonator]

Nothing worth doing is ever easy..
There's always ups and downs in life.
What makes you think your not good enough for resto work?
Sounds like you have the passion and are meticulous enough to do restoration work.
Why not go for it? 8)
You might be the type that's needs to work for yourself.
No Guts No Glory.

 

[kustomkyle]

Nothing worth doing is ever easy..
There's always ups and downs in life.
What makes you think your not good enough for resto work?
Sounds like you have the passion and are meticulous enough to do restoration work.
Why not go for it? 8)
You might be the type that's needs to work for yourself.
No Guts No Glory.

It's been the dream...I'm not mechanically savy as in engine and electrical work. It's always a possibility. Won't be able to do it alone though. People don't have the money...but if you are good enough you can do it anywhere. The hardest part would be to have a reputation and be able to keep it. So many people now complain/sue/slander others and businesses over the Internet. I've always been the type to think there is such a thing as too much information.