Bored of my cool job.
Discussion
Hello, first time posting, but long time lurker. There often seems to be lots of great opinions, so thought I would pose my dilemma.
I currently work at a fairly well known specialist in the motor trade as a senior/master technician. I have spent my whole career working on this particular marque, and i'm starting to get a little bored.
I could fairly easily (I think) go and get another job at another specialist, possibly with a different brand of car, which would be a new start for a while, but I fear i'm bored of the industry in general. I have worked my way up from an apprentice, and have landed myself a pretty cool niche (through hard graft), doing what some people would think was their dream job I reckon. Cant be too specific for obvious reasons.
The problem for me is that I think i've peaked. I'm unlikely to earn any more money than what i'm currently on (and although I think i'm doing pretty well for the motor trade, i'd like to earn more, and feel I deserve more). There is also nothing in the way of training or career progression. EV technology is coming, and i'm worried I will be out of a job in the future, as most of what I work with is at very much the opposite end of the scale!
We all like to feel like we're going somewhere don't we, but I feel like i'm stagnating. I have looked at other careers, such as becoming an electrician or plumber (i'm pretty handy already, and definitely feel more at home doing something hands on), but the initial pay drop while training is not really an option currently, having a young family, and being the main provider.
The other issue is the potential earning power of these careers. From most of my research, the average salary is roughly equivalent to where i'm at now (mid 30's), and for that, i'd probably rather stay where I am, and at least get to work on and drive some really cool cars, which I am still fairly passionate about. I'm pretty sure i'd get bored fixing toilets and boilers instead!
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Or do you have any other potential career suggestions?
Any opinions appreciated .
I currently work at a fairly well known specialist in the motor trade as a senior/master technician. I have spent my whole career working on this particular marque, and i'm starting to get a little bored.
I could fairly easily (I think) go and get another job at another specialist, possibly with a different brand of car, which would be a new start for a while, but I fear i'm bored of the industry in general. I have worked my way up from an apprentice, and have landed myself a pretty cool niche (through hard graft), doing what some people would think was their dream job I reckon. Cant be too specific for obvious reasons.
The problem for me is that I think i've peaked. I'm unlikely to earn any more money than what i'm currently on (and although I think i'm doing pretty well for the motor trade, i'd like to earn more, and feel I deserve more). There is also nothing in the way of training or career progression. EV technology is coming, and i'm worried I will be out of a job in the future, as most of what I work with is at very much the opposite end of the scale!
We all like to feel like we're going somewhere don't we, but I feel like i'm stagnating. I have looked at other careers, such as becoming an electrician or plumber (i'm pretty handy already, and definitely feel more at home doing something hands on), but the initial pay drop while training is not really an option currently, having a young family, and being the main provider.
The other issue is the potential earning power of these careers. From most of my research, the average salary is roughly equivalent to where i'm at now (mid 30's), and for that, i'd probably rather stay where I am, and at least get to work on and drive some really cool cars, which I am still fairly passionate about. I'm pretty sure i'd get bored fixing toilets and boilers instead!
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Or do you have any other potential career suggestions?
Any opinions appreciated .
Don't get too caught up on salary.
Its difficult to look at a different career and try to justify it through salary alone. If its something you think you will enjoy, invest the time and the salary will follow.
I'm 50 and always fancied a change of career but never did it, worried too much about salary drop. I'm not on a massive salary to be honest but it always felt it was (about 50-80k dependent on contract). Luckily I always planned to retire at 55 so now I'm happy to take the money until retirement.
However my son (16) started a carpentry apprenticeship about 4 years ago, doing a job he absolutely loves. From the first 2 or 3 years he was on peanuts (about £400 a week), but now he is almost 21 and with private work earns about the same as me. So with hindsight I should have jumped ship and done it years ago but never had the bottle.
At 30 you've got plenty of time to go in whichever direction you want and you will adapt to whatever salary you take home.
Its difficult to look at a different career and try to justify it through salary alone. If its something you think you will enjoy, invest the time and the salary will follow.
I'm 50 and always fancied a change of career but never did it, worried too much about salary drop. I'm not on a massive salary to be honest but it always felt it was (about 50-80k dependent on contract). Luckily I always planned to retire at 55 so now I'm happy to take the money until retirement.
However my son (16) started a carpentry apprenticeship about 4 years ago, doing a job he absolutely loves. From the first 2 or 3 years he was on peanuts (about £400 a week), but now he is almost 21 and with private work earns about the same as me. So with hindsight I should have jumped ship and done it years ago but never had the bottle.
At 30 you've got plenty of time to go in whichever direction you want and you will adapt to whatever salary you take home.
If I could ever earn 50-80k I’d probably give it a go for a while to be honest. I will certainly never earn anywhere near that doing what I’m doing now!
Sounds like your son is on to a winner! I kind of wish I’d looked into carpentry when I was younger, but I’ve built a few things for my boy and stuff round the house, and think my skills with wood leave a lot lacking!
Sounds like your son is on to a winner! I kind of wish I’d looked into carpentry when I was younger, but I’ve built a few things for my boy and stuff round the house, and think my skills with wood leave a lot lacking!
I had much the same dilemma when I moved to California in the 90's. I'd worked on cars for decades and was fairly competent. Problem was that in California there was a shade tree mechanic on every street corner offering cut price work.
I decided to specialize on the one thing that all the shade tree mechanics couldn't deal with; the electronics.
I took plenty of manufacturers courses and bought a top of the range Snap-On scanner and specialized test equipment.
My problem was that when I went to work the first thing the owner would say is "Great, you have a scanner, it's going to be very handy to have that as shop equipment."
It was not well received when I point blank refused to let anyone else use the scanner or any of my tools.
Within months I had more diagnostic work that I could handle and the owner was even taking in work from other shops, who would not invest in equipment or training. When I asked for a pay raise the owner laughed; right up to the point when I gave notice. It didn't help the owners mood as he knew that other shops had tried to recruit me.
You could even set up your own mobile diagnostic service. There's a need for it, you just have to read the 'advice' on PH "My MIL light came on, what could it be?". This will be followed by "change this, change that; I had the same problem so it must be; (fill in the blank)"
I decided to specialize on the one thing that all the shade tree mechanics couldn't deal with; the electronics.
I took plenty of manufacturers courses and bought a top of the range Snap-On scanner and specialized test equipment.
My problem was that when I went to work the first thing the owner would say is "Great, you have a scanner, it's going to be very handy to have that as shop equipment."
It was not well received when I point blank refused to let anyone else use the scanner or any of my tools.
Within months I had more diagnostic work that I could handle and the owner was even taking in work from other shops, who would not invest in equipment or training. When I asked for a pay raise the owner laughed; right up to the point when I gave notice. It didn't help the owners mood as he knew that other shops had tried to recruit me.
You could even set up your own mobile diagnostic service. There's a need for it, you just have to read the 'advice' on PH "My MIL light came on, what could it be?". This will be followed by "change this, change that; I had the same problem so it must be; (fill in the blank)"
OP, it is time to start your own Independent garage.
You’d get to use your skills, multiply your earnings, and have your name over the door. Plus, starting and running your own business is never boring. Exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, unpredictable and hugely satisfying, yes. Boring, no. Go on, go for it.
You’d get to use your skills, multiply your earnings, and have your name over the door. Plus, starting and running your own business is never boring. Exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, unpredictable and hugely satisfying, yes. Boring, no. Go on, go for it.
67Dino said:
OP, it is time to start your own Independent garage.
You’d get to use your skills, multiply your earnings, and have your name over the door. Plus, starting and running your own business is never boring. Exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, unpredictable and hugely satisfying, yes. Boring, no. Go on, go for it.
I was about to suggest this too. You’d get to use your skills, multiply your earnings, and have your name over the door. Plus, starting and running your own business is never boring. Exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, unpredictable and hugely satisfying, yes. Boring, no. Go on, go for it.
I’m not particularly keen on the idea of going it alone, I’ve known ex colleagues who have done the same and done ok, but there’s a lot of competition.
For one there is already a few specialists in this area, and I would also be going into competition with my current employer. Not really my style!
Moving to a different area isn’t really an option due to schools etc.
For one there is already a few specialists in this area, and I would also be going into competition with my current employer. Not really my style!
Moving to a different area isn’t really an option due to schools etc.
Edited by Archie_36 on Monday 26th April 21:26
Archie_36 said:
I’m not particularly keen on the idea of going it alone, I’ve known ex colleagues who have done the same and done ok, but there’s a lot of competition.
For one there is already a few specialists in this area, and I would also be going into competition with my current employer. Not really my style!
Moving to a different area isn’t really an option due to schools etc.
Of course your choice entirely but by way of some additional thoughts (and for other readers who may be interested)....For one there is already a few specialists in this area, and I would also be going into competition with my current employer. Not really my style!
Moving to a different area isn’t really an option due to schools etc.
Edited by Archie_36 on Monday 26th April 21:26
On competition, very few successful businesses entered a market without it. In fact, a lack of it may suggest there’s no demand for your service so existing competition is good. The questions I’d ask would be what they do that could be improved on, what they don’t do, and what part of their market could be served better if you focussed on it (a great example is the SLShop, who successfully compete against many general Merc and classic restoration garages).
On competing with your employer, this is commendable of course, but less of an issue if your business idea or focus is different. Plus if this was really important to you, you could make a rule you don’t take his customers and only seek new. I actually did both of these myself over 20 years ago with a business and whilst it undoubtedly took longer to get off the ground by being so careful, it did eventually work, and I’m still friends with my former employer as a result.
Richtea1970 said:
Don't get too caught up on salary.
Its difficult to look at a different career and try to justify it through salary alone. If its something you think you will enjoy, invest the time and the salary will follow.
I'm 50 and always fancied a change of career but never did it, worried too much about salary drop. I'm not on a massive salary to be honest but it always felt it was (about 50-80k dependent on contract). Luckily I always planned to retire at 55 so now I'm happy to take the money until retirement.
However my son (16) started a carpentry apprenticeship about 4 years ago, doing a job he absolutely loves. From the first 2 or 3 years he was on peanuts (about £400 a week), but now he is almost 21 and with private work earns about the same as me. So with hindsight I should have jumped ship and done it years ago but never had the bottle.
At 30 you've got plenty of time to go in whichever direction you want and you will adapt to whatever salary you take home.
If that's £400 after deductions it doesn't seem like peanuts, and pretty good for a younger person! I'm 34 and don't take home much more than that a week (also motor trade) Its difficult to look at a different career and try to justify it through salary alone. If its something you think you will enjoy, invest the time and the salary will follow.
I'm 50 and always fancied a change of career but never did it, worried too much about salary drop. I'm not on a massive salary to be honest but it always felt it was (about 50-80k dependent on contract). Luckily I always planned to retire at 55 so now I'm happy to take the money until retirement.
However my son (16) started a carpentry apprenticeship about 4 years ago, doing a job he absolutely loves. From the first 2 or 3 years he was on peanuts (about £400 a week), but now he is almost 21 and with private work earns about the same as me. So with hindsight I should have jumped ship and done it years ago but never had the bottle.
At 30 you've got plenty of time to go in whichever direction you want and you will adapt to whatever salary you take home.
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