Car mechanic to...?

[ollie854]

Hi everyone

Currently a car mechanic but really don't want to be doing this job my whole life. I'm only 20 so still young enough into something I'd love to do, instead of doing a Job for the next 50 years I just fell into and don't enjoy.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Regards

Ollie

[eddy02]

My son worked at a couple of good car places in the parts side of things (one of them specialised in modified VW's,his passion) the pressure of the fast paced environment got to him eventually and at 24 he said he was going back to college to learn something before it got too late.He got in at a well respected place near Preston doing a degree in motorsport logistics,he loves it,best thing he ever did.
Alongside his studies he has now landed a part time job at a place called m-sport in Cumbria,they prepare Fords rally cars.
Dont get stuck in a rut,move on and do something you fancy.

[kiethton]

Prawn Star?

Used to giving something a good service, cleaning out pipes, swinging a spanner, filling with fluids and you've probably built a strong wrist action?

ETA. sorry - thought I was still in the lounge

[Odie]

I trained as a car mechanic in my late teens, im in my 30's and now design supermarkets for a living.

So do what ever you want.

[ollie854]

That sounds brilliant that he's finally found he wants/loves to do. I just don't no which direction I can go as I don't no what jobs I would enjoy and be qualified for.


And a prawn star? Good money in that and something I enjoy I wonder

[eddy02]

Going into that line of work smells fishy to me.

[sunoco69]

Yes but it does have it's ups and downs. Some people can be very anal and try screw you over.

[ollie854]

Have just applied for a trainee maintenance position at a food manufacturing company in brackley. Time will tell what happens,

[anonymous-user]

I'm in a similar position myself, albeit 10 years further down the line. I started my Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship at 16 and by 23 I was workshop supervisor for a franchised dealer in the Middle East. For one reason or another (my then GF) I gave it up and came back within a couple of years. Since then I've been back on the spanners at an independent specialist but my enthusiasm is becoming weaker and weaker. I don't want to get stuck in a rut and be doing this forever but my mind draws a blank when it comes to thinking what else I could do. To be quite frank the money in the motor trade is piss poor - I do laugh when people on here (particularly the finance forum) can't comprehend how people can earn less than £25k...well try earning a few grand less than that! And realistically that's as good as it gets, despite being responsible for people's lives and having years worth of experience and knowledge. I injured my back at 17 when I got hit by a car, and despite my best effort's it gets worse year by year - lifting wheels and seats etc can have me on my knees from time to time. I have a massive passion for cars and Mercedes-Benz in particular (I was brainwashed from an impressionable age ), just not the job. Having no wife or kids means if I had to work 12hrs a day to earn a decent wage then so be it, it wouldn't be an issue, I just don't know what avenue to explore next!

So to the OP, if you get chance to go down a different path and jump in to another career my advice would be not to hesitate!

[ollie854]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

I'm in a similar position myself, albeit 10 years further down the line. I started my Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship at 16 and by 23 I was workshop supervisor for a franchised dealer in the Middle East. For one reason or another (my then GF) I gave it up and came back within a couple of years. Since then I've been back on the spanners at an independent specialist but my enthusiasm is becoming weaker and weaker. I don't want to get stuck in a rut and be doing this forever but my mind draws a blank when it comes to thinking what else I could do. To be quite frank the money in the motor trade is piss poor - I do laugh when people on here (particularly the finance forum) can't comprehend how people can earn less than £25k...well try earning a few grand less than that! And realistically that's as good as it gets, despite being responsible for people's lives and having years worth of experience and knowledge. I injured my back at 17 when I got hit by a car, and despite my best effort's it gets worse year by year - lifting wheels and seats etc can have me on my knees from time to time. I have a massive passion for cars and Mercedes-Benz in particular (I was brainwashed from an impressionable age ), just not the job. Having no wife or kids means if I had to work 12hrs a day to earn a decent wage then so be it, it wouldn't be an issue, I just don't know what avenue to explore next!

So to the OP, if you get chance to go down a different path and jump in to another career my advice would be not to hesitate!

Your right you are me just 10 years later on. I'm personally trained through the ford apprenticeship programme and am paid not a lot for now being fully qualified! ( £14,000 a year before tax) I no I don't pay a lot of tax but that's besides the point. I love cars to death but working on them everyday of the week is really starting to drag 4 years on.

I've applied for a few jobs still in a technical sector but for big companies and nothing to do with cars. Time will tell.

[obr]

I want back to college at 24 after feeling frustrated with my old job.

It was the best thing I ever did and although I'm now considering moving on from my current job, I was so focused and determined that I ended up getting really good grades in my course and ended no dong a degree.

You really need to work out what field you want to work in and what type of work you want to do. Follow your heart and you won't go far wrong.

[craig r]

Have you thought about engine testing? I know a few companies that have taken on test technicians from the motor trade.

Did I see you applied for a job in Brackley? If so there are numerous engine test places around Northants / Bucks etc.

~ Craig

[toon10]

What about going into management in the car industry?

My cousin followed a good career path which might make use of your car knowledge. He worked as a mechanic for years then ended up working for a car leasing firm (not sure what his role was) but become a service manager at a car dealer. He then ended up being a service manager for the whole chain. He spends a lot of time driving around the UK but is basically in charge of all of the dealships servicing departments now. He earns good money, doesn't get oily hands and has a nice heated office rather than a cold workshop to work in He also did a stint in Oman and made some serious money if that's your thing.

[LimaDelta]

How do you feel about boats? Plenty of travel, plenty of time off, good money and opportunities for steady progression for someone with good practical and problem solving skills.

[AGK]

A friend of mines does his apprenticeship with Renault. He's 24/25 and is now a fitter for Ryanair. He worked as a fitter on the trains inbetween too so there's more than just cars you can work on.

[Studio117]

eddy02 said:

My son worked at a couple of good car places in the parts side of things (one of them specialised in modified VW's,his passion) the pressure of the fast paced environment got to him eventually and at 24 he said he was going back to college to learn something before it got too late.He got in at a well respected place near Preston doing a degree in motorsport logistics,he loves it,best thing he ever did.
Alongside his studies he has now landed a part time job at a place called m-sport in Cumbria,they prepare Fords rally cars.
Dont get stuck in a rut,move on and do something you fancy.

How is placing orders for parts fast paced or pressurised?

[ch427]

ollie854 said:

Have just applied for a trainee maintenance position at a food manufacturing company in brackley. Time will tell what happens,

I presently work in factory maintenance and its a very boring job that i would love to get out of!
If its a production line expect to be on standby for long periods of time.

[16plates]

Merchant Navy?

You'd need to spend 3 years re-training but you do get paid throughout it (not much though).

Then it's a case of traveling the world, earning well and not paying tax. It's a very rewarding career, i recommend it.

[eddy02]

Studio117 said:

How is placing orders for parts fast paced or pressurised?

If only that was all he was doing.
How about sales wanting all their stuff doing first,
mechanics wanting all their stuff doing first,
shop wanting all their stuff doing first.
His thanks for finding out the previous parts person had been taking back handers to over order stuff to keep certain suppliers happy,his thanks? sweet FA.
The fact that they replaced him with two people says it all really.

Edited by eddy02 on Thursday 13th February 21:57

Edited by eddy02 on Thursday 13th February 21:58

[dai1983]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

This! There's loads of options in the forces. Metalsmith, electrical technician, mechanic, aviation engineer, marine engineer are a few you could transfer skills to. Or try something completely different depending on your interests.

Starting wage is pathetic but after 6 weeks it would go up to around 1k take home then more when you get on the higher pay band when you specialise plus annual increments. As a young lad you only have food, drink and women to worry about. Living on camp costs peanuts and you get money to travel home to a property you pay rent/mortgage and a few bills.

Avoid the Army though