"He ONLY wants to be an auto mechanic..."

[golfgal]

This sounds more like a case of your dad hanging out with a bunch of sleeze bags, rather than mechanics being gang member, porn loving, alcoholics.

The vast majority of mechanics I know (and I know a LOT) are family men.

My mechanic is a woman --Ok, technically she owns the shop now and doesn't really work on the cars much any more...

 

[pensgirl10]

The one that shocked me was not a parent but a former classmate. Her parents were divorced and she had little contact with her father and step-siblings. Definite anger over that and the way she feels her mother was treated. She went to college then moved out of the country for a job that sounded fulfilling and even a little exciting. So...she's back in town and we speak. She's been in contact with the step-siblings and says very dismissively "look where I am today, and look at them, they are blue collar, some are FIREFIGHTERS." I have rarely heard as much hatred as she put into "firefighters". Whoa.

 

[pensgirl10]

This sounds more like a case of your dad hanging out with a bunch of sleeze bags, rather than mechanics being gang member, porn loving, alcoholics.

The vast majority of mechanics I know (and I know a LOT) are family men.

I'm guessing this means they drive motorcycles, have a pin-up calendar on the wall, and enjoy a couple of beers after work from time to time.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

My BFF in high school LOVED art & drawing. He wanted to go to college to become an architect, if I remember correctly, and he was even offered a partial scholarship to a decent college. His father, however, was an English professor at Lehigh University and wouldn't hear of his son not attending Lehigh. BFF did go to Lehigh and became an English professor at a university somewhere in the southeast (I can't remember at the moment which state). Unfortunately, we lost touch not long after high school so I have no idea if he's happy with what he's doing now or not.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Double post

 

[Planogirl]

I hate it when parents try to force their kids to pursue certain careers. It's the kids' futures, not the parents'.

 

[ckay87]

My youngest goes to 10th grade next year and I am strongly encouraging him go to vo-tech. He's bright enough, but let's just say he's not a student. Does not enjoy sitting in the classroom and does not aspire to get great grades (much to our despair). Vo-tech puts him to work each day doing and learning to do something he enjoys. He'll graduate prepared to go right into a decent career or to college. But one thing is for sure, he will make it through high school with far less struggles than if we forced him into the academic pathway in which he just isn't comfortable.

When choosing a program, he did consider auto mechanics and I was secretely rooting for that (selfish, selfish!) He's going with Media Communication Technology - wants to be a sound engineer.

I'm a huge supporter of technical education. Learn to do something with your hands that can't be done by someone across an ocean and you already have a head-start on job security, IMO.

 

[Mkrop]

Hmm....I now have that song "Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys." running through my head.

My father, as a hobby, works on cars. And i use the "works" loosely, as he hires many others to work on the old autos he purchases and then coordinates the projects. We'll get our hands greasy from time to time, but mainly other mechanics and machinist do the bulk of the lifting. From what I've seen being an auto mechanic isn't the best of jobs concerning pay, or with the work done. All to often auto mechanics can be a pretty seedy crowd to be around. From what I've seen, alcohol, drugs, porn, even gangs can be a problem with this group.

But with that said, I know of a few auto mechanics in town that own their own shops, have reliable reputations, and so do decently well as far as I can tell. I guess like most things, if he wants to be a mechanic aim high - be reliable, do quality work, and be your own boss. It could pay off in pay and also in job enjoyment.

So can the Wall St crowd, many get into drugs bc of the pressure.

DH and I met in a pharmacy while I was in college...two of the pharmacists we worked with have recently been arrested for dealing in bogus oxycodone Rxs. Not together but separately.


A first grade teacher around here was recently arrested for child porn.

I think you will have the low lifes in any profession

 

[daughtersrus]

My father, as a hobby, works on cars. And i use the "works" loosely, as he hires many others to work on the old autos he purchases and then coordinates the projects. We'll get our hands greasy from time to time, but mainly other mechanics and machinist do the bulk of the lifting. From what I've seen being an auto mechanic isn't the best of jobs concerning pay, or with the work done. All to often auto mechanics can be a pretty seedy crowd to be around. From what I've seen, alcohol, drugs, porn, even gangs can be a problem with this group.

.

Sounds like you hang out with a rough crowd.

DD has been a journeymen at a Lincoln dealer for over 26 years. He's never used drugs, watched porn or been in a gang. However, he does like a beer every now and then.

He is honest and doesn't recommend work that the customer doesn't need. Business has been a little slower the last few years because warranties are longer than the used to be and some customers are waiting for things to break instead of doing maintenance. DH has about $40,000-$50,000 worth of his own tools, works on high-tech computerized parts and continues his certification throughout the year.

Maybe you need to find a different group of guys to hang out with.

However, DH doesn't recommend auto tech as a career to anyone that asks and wants an honest answer. There are A LOT of guys in his union that have been laid off and unable to find jobs. It used to be a 3 year program as an apprentice (DH was only an apprentice for less than 1 year). Now, there are guys that have been working for over 5 years with no hope of making it to journeymen. The wage difference is huge between the two. To be honest, we always thought that DH's job was secure with as many years as he has at the dealership but as it is now, he's 3rd from the bottom on seniority. They've laid off 3 journeymen below him, 1 quick lube guy and 1 semi-skilled (they don't have any apprentices at his dealer) in the last 2 years. All that's left are the 7 journeymen.

To answer the OP's question. I would never discourage my DD's from doing what they love. DD#1 has always wanted to be a teacher since she was 3 years old. She graduated college 2 1/2 years ago with a degree in SpEd. She worked two long term sub jobs after graduation (she graduated in Dec). She was a SpEd resource teacher last school year and this year she is a classroom teacher in Behavior Disorder classroom She had 6 boys in the class. She comes home exhausted but said it's a very fulfilling job. The money isn't too bad as we're lucky to live in a state where teachers are paid more than in other states. DD# 2 is also a SpEd major and will graduate a year from Dec. It wasn't her dream as early as DD #1 but once she started working with special needs kids through our park district when she was 16, she changed from nursing to SpEd. My youngest DD is disabled so they grew up with a sister with special needs. If DD# 3 could every work, I would support her in ANYTHING! That would include bagging groceries. Sadly, she will never be able to do even the simplest jobs.

 

[iheartdisney]

Sorry, but I think it natural to want your children to do well in life. My dad dropped out high school and worked most of his life in a machine shop. One day when my brother was about ten, he told my dad he wanted to work in a shop when he grew up. Dad said he would kick his hind end if he did. Not that he looked down on his own career, but he wanted more for his son than 10 hour days filled with hard labor.
I am the same way in some regards. As a female veteran, I would have a serious talk with either of my girls if the wanted to join the Navy someday. My son not so much, but i don't know if I want my daughters in the kind of environment that I was in.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I dressed as an opera singer for career day several years in a row! I turned out to be a SAHM who sings on the side. But music and performing is still my passion, and I'm so glad I worked so hard on it, even if it doesn't make me a lot of money. Depending on how old he is, I hope your son is in voice lessons!

He is! He's 17 and a senior and preparing for his college auditions which begin next month. I think I'm more nervous than he is.

Keep singing. I am going to miss the constant music so much when he leaves for school. The house will be so quiet.

 

[minkydog]

He is! He's 17 and a senior and preparing for his college auditions which begin next month. I think I'm more nervous than he is.

Keep singing. I am going to miss the constant music so much when he leaves for school. The house will be so quiet.

My sister loves music. She was the valedictorian of her class,plays several instruments, a brilliant girl, certainly meant for a career in medicine, or so my father hoped. DSis dutifully went to college and took all the pre-med maths & sciences, all the while performing with the band and the madrigal singers. She had straight As, but she didn't love it.

In her junior-to-senior summer DSis worked in hospital lab as a unit secretary. Basically her job was receiving specimens and delivering them to the proper technologist. One day she came home frustrated and upset--"You have no idea what these people have! It's disgusting!" So I gently broke the news to her that if she is going to be a doctor she's going to be dealing with a lot of body fluids and people who are not at their best, cranky, stinky, whiny, and fearful. I think that was the first time she had ever really thought about it like that. DSis went back to school in the fall and changed her major to music, her first love.

DSis has been a music teacher for over 25 years. She plays French Horn with a brass quintet and she sits on the board of her local symphony. Not once has DSis ever regretted her decision to go into music full time.

 

[superme80]

Wait, I hear more lawyer jokes than mechanic jokes.

That's cause if you mess with a mechanic it could be a life or death situation.

 

[golfgal]

Sorry, but I think it natural to want your children to do well in life. My dad dropped out high school and worked most of his life in a machine shop. One day when my brother was about ten, he told my dad he wanted to work in a shop when he grew up. Dad said he would kick his hind end if he did. Not that he looked down on his own career, but he wanted more for his son than 10 hour days filled with hard labor.
I am the same way in some regards. As a female veteran, I would have a serious talk with either of my girls if the wanted to join the Navy someday. My son not so much, but i don't know if I want my daughters in the kind of environment that I was in.

I understand this point too. Knowing from experience that a job isn't good or not right for someone is different then just not wanting a child to have a job because they think the job is beneath them. I know that my oldest would never survive in the military. He would not like being told what to do all day long. I would discourage him from joining the military because of that reason, not because I think it is a bad job.

 

[Tink9721]

Sorry, but I think it natural to want your children to do well in life. My dad dropped out high school and worked most of his life in a machine shop. One day when my brother was about ten, he told my dad he wanted to work in a shop when he grew up. Dad said he would kick his hind end if he did.

My dad is kind of like this too. I think he'd be okay with any career choice I make but he didn't go to college and he became a mechanic. He's always wanted me to do well in school and was thrilled when I started college this year

 

[ckay87]

My dad is somewhat like this too. I think he'd be okay with any career choice I make but he didn't go to college and he became a mechanic. He's always wanted me to do well in school and was thrilled when I started college this year

Yea, I mean, my parents had that mindset too, but it doesn't mean that they were right.

I'm not speaking to you directly (because you have a brilliant career ahead of you, I am sure of it!! ) but a lot of folks graduate from college with a ton of debt and no jobs in sight. Our parents don't realize that the world has become a lot smaller and anybody, anywhere with a computer can do brainwork. I know it sounds harsh, but I don't know that MY kids will be up for that kind of competition. I'll be glad if they get themselves into any job that can make them a steady, predictable and decent living (as in, they are not living with me! )

And there's something to be said about hard work. I sit at a desk all day. I probably have that career that my parents dreamed I'd have. But boy, it kills me sometimes not to be able to MOVE! I sit here, looking out the window, envious of those landscapers sometimes.

 

[MELSMICE]

I think there's a difference in telling your kids they can & can't do something than there is talking to them about what might be a good career choice or a path for them to take.

Oldest DD wanted to go to college for dance because she wants to open a dance studio someday (which is what I do). We talked to her & said she might want to think about business because she can take dance classes anywhere, anytime, however, the business end of it is just as important, if not more, than the teaching end of it. She did go to college for business & graduated in May. She currently works full-time as an employment administrator and teaches part time at my studio. She has redone my website and has helped promote the business and tweak things to make it better than ever. She also passed all her Dance Masters exams after going to the DMA Training School for 4 summers in a row and is in the process of becoming a DMA member. She is saving money & has come up with a business plan so she can open her own business in a few years or open a 2nd location with me.

Twin A wanted to go to school for psychology. I'll be honest, DH & I were not thrilled because without a PhD, masters at the least she will not make a ton of money in the psych field. She works hard but school hasn't always been easy for her. After talking with her for hours & hours we finally decided this was her life & she needed to do what made her happy. She is thrilled to not only be in the psych department but also have a work study with one of her psych professors. She has been invited to luncheons to meet others in the field and may be "published" because of a study she did with her professor. She loves it!

Twin B started in exercise science with thoughts of going into the PT field. She knew that wasn't the right thing for her & changed to Bio Medical Sciences. She talks about becoming a Physician's Assistant. She has always been interested in the med field.

Our goal as parents is to make sure they are happy but to also make sure that whatever career path they choose they will be able to take care of themselves someday & not be dependent on anyone.

Also, education will never fail you, IMO.

 

[golfgal]

I think there's a difference in telling your kids they can & can't do something than there is talking to them about what might be a good career choice or a path for them to take.

Oldest DD wanted to go to college for dance because she wants to open a dance studio someday (which is what I do). We talked to her & said she might want to think about business because she can take dance classes anywhere, anytime, however, the business end of it is just as important, if not more, than the teaching end of it. She did go to college for business & graduated in May. She currently works full-time as an employment administrator and teaches part time at my studio. She has redone my website and has helped promote the business and tweak things to make it better than ever. She also passed all her Dance Masters exams after going to the DMA Training School for 4 summers in a row and is in the process of becoming a DMA member. She is saving money & has come up with a business plan so she can open her own business in a few years or open a 2nd location with me.

Twin A wanted to go to school for psychology. I'll be honest, DH & I were not thrilled because without a PhD, masters at the least she will not make a ton of money in the psych field. She works hard but school hasn't always been easy for her. After talking with her for hours & hours we finally decided this was her life & she needed to do what made her happy. She is thrilled to not only be in the psych department but also have a work study with one of her psych professors. She has been invited to luncheons to meet others in the field and may be "published" because of a study she did with her professor. She loves it!

Twin B started in exercise science with thoughts of going into the PT field. She knew that wasn't the right thing for her & changed to Bio Medical Sciences. She talks about becoming a Physician's Assistant. She has always been interested in the med field.

Our goal as parents is to make sure they are happy but to also make sure that whatever career path they choose they will be able to take care of themselves someday & not be dependent on anyone.

Also, education will never fail you, IMO.

If she does become a Physician's Assistant, many rural communities-especially in the Dakota's, etc. have programs where if you work there for x number of years they pay your student loans for you. Something to look into anyway.

 

[MELSMICE]

If she does become a Physician's Assistant, many rural communities-especially in the Dakota's, etc. have programs where if you work there for x number of years they pay your student loans for you. Something to look into anyway.

Thanks for the info!

 

[HelenePA]

right now my 6yr old wants to be a pizza delivery guy.. and my 3 yr old a garbage man...