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

[golfgal]

I know 2 plumbers who are millionaires. One goes between Ocala and Ireland with his race horses.

I am having serious trouble finding young people to work in my trade. They don't want to work hard and spend the years to get proficient. They seem to want to sit behind a computer. They days of easy money sitting behind a computer are gone.

I suggested to DS19 that he look into being a plumber. He likes to put things together, figure out how to fit things into spaces, etc. He has good manual dexterity, likes to draw and he has the temperament to work with uptight homeowners . Here you have to go to vo-tech for classes to start and that turned him off. He just wants to be done with "school". He is sitting behind a computer doing data entry, not so much by choice but because that is the job he could get without a college degree.

 

[golfgal]

Well, I might be one of those parents. My ds16 wants to be a musician. but he doesn't play any instruments and has yet to make varsity choir ( he's a junior this year). He's never tried out for any musicals or solos. So, I'm not terribly supportive. I have bought him 2 guitars, signed him up for lessons and he never practices. If he came home tomorrow and said he wanted to be an auto mechanic, I'd be thrilled! Right now, unless they come up with a course in flirting with girls, he's going to a community college to get the basic courses and hopefully figure out a real career!

Sooooo, how does he say this is going to work out for him?

Oh, to be 16 again and know all the answers.

 

[FINFAN]

not only is auto mechanic on my son's top 3 career choices, that kid will save us TONS on repairs if it happens! Imagine that, he would work in an area he loves and gets so see immediately the improvement he has made, helps others and hopefully does not get outsourced? Works for us!

 

[scrapquitler]

For those who think that mechanics don't make much money, let me tell you-- my husband has been a Diesel Mechanic for almost 20 years! Currently he grosses about $95,000 a year plus quarterly bonuses...not chump change.... true, he comes home with that lovely aroma of "Grease Monkey" and he always rides home with disposable seat covers on the truck, but--it is a job, a good job. He is very skilled and in high demand in this area. He has yet to meet an engine that he can't fix, be it truck, car, mower, boat, atv...etc....:

And there's pretty good job security. Fixing our vehicles and boats and mechanical systems in our homes can't really be outsourced to India. And if the economy goes bad, people fix what they already have instead of buying new.

 

[my3sonsagn]

Well, I might be one of those parents. My ds16 wants to be a musician. but he doesn't play any instruments and has yet to make varsity choir ( he's a junior this year). He's never tried out for any musicals or solos. So, I'm not terribly supportive. I have bought him 2 guitars, signed him up for lessons and he never practices. If he came home tomorrow and said he wanted to be an auto mechanic, I'd be thrilled! Right now, unless they come up with a course in flirting with girls, he's going to a community college to get the basic courses and hopefully figure out a real career!

I don't think you're one of "those" parents - it sounds like you've really tried to support him by buying instruments, and paying for (and I'm guessing driving to/from) lessons. It seems like he wants to be a musician without *working* as a musician which has nothing to do with support or a lack thereof.

My oldest DS wanted to be a doctor at 10 (until he realized doctors actually work with people ) then he wanted to be a medical researcher (until he found out how much school/debt that would involve) then, by 14, he said he plans to work at Taco Bell and live in our basement (I thought he was joking until he displayed an alarming lack of ambition/planning for the next few years ). He joined police explorers a few months ago, LOVES it, and thinks law enforcement is where his future lies - leaning more towards behind-the-scenes work like cyber crime or something similar rather than attending the police academy (can't do that until 21 here anyway).

All that to say that I bet once your son finds his "niche" he'll gain the drive to pursue it.

 

[POPCITY]

Well, I guess I'm going to be the odd one out here, but I would strongly discourage DS from being a mechanic. I don't look down on mechanics in any way, several of my relatives are mechanics, DH used to be, DS's godfather "Frank" is. That's a really hard job, very physically demanding. Frank is my age, early 40's, and has had several injuries at work, including a back injury. He and his wife constantly worry about the day he won't be able to physically do the work anymore. He gets home at the end of the day and can barely move now. Frank has never done anything but be a mechanic, so doesn't really have any options for another career at this point. I guess I would just worry about DS taking a physical job like that, with no college, or other skills, because if something happens, he would have nothing to fall back on. If it turns out that that is what he wants to do, I'll support him, of course, but will encourage him to broaden his horizons a little bit.

 

[Disney Doll]

The auto mechanic that I take my car to lives in a 4000 SF house in the best section of my town, in a neighborhood with many other 4000-6000 SF homes.

I. on the other hand, with my husband in real estate management and me with a BSN, live in an 1800 SF house in the "normal" section of my town, in a neighborhood with other 1500-2000 SF homes.

I'd say my auto mechanic is doing A-OK!

 

[Bob NC]

I asked her what was wrong with being a mechanic and she said she just expected so much more for her son. I asked if she and her husband did any work on their cars and she said no. So I asked who would work on her car if their were no mechanics? I guess she just looked down on that profession and would not want her son doing that.

I said well you son is only eight and will probably change his mind several times, but why not encourage him to do what he loves. If he chooses a lifestyle that is different, who cares if he makes less income in his chosen career.

C'mon, you Really said all that?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I totally agree! Add a computer repair technician and those would be my dream professions for my kids! Those people make a ton of money around here! And I'd SAVE a lot of money from having free service!

I always say having someone who does any of those trades is just as good as a doctor in the family. We need them all and I know they would be honest with their work!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

C'mon, you Really said all that?

 

[Art 1]

I suggested to DS19 that he look into being a plumber. He likes to put things together, figure out how to fit things into spaces, etc. He has good manual dexterity, likes to draw and he has the temperament to work with uptight homeowners . Here you have to go to vo-tech for classes to start and that turned him off. He just wants to be done with "school". He is sitting behind a computer doing data entry, not so much by choice but because that is the job he could get without a college degree.

If he got into plumbing and did it the right way by going through vo tech and so forth he could be making $100,000 within 10 yrs. in your area, maybe less. But there is a lot to it.

 

[mrodgers]

I keep reminding DS that a profession in the trades could be good too. I mention auto mechanic, plumber, electrician and so on. These jobs are nice because you can make good money and enjoy what you do if you have the right mindset plus these people will likely always be in demand.

That is the key! Just read this forum and hear about all the college educated people jumping on here to vent because they are looking for a job. A college education has been so watered down these last few years that they are nearly worthless. Everyone has a college degree, now how do you weed through to pick the right person?

A trade will always be in demand. I kick myself all the time now for not getting into the electrical field.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - I've heard similar comments and I think it's very sad when parents try to force their agendas (sports; choice of colleges; choice of careers; etc.) on their children.. Maybe they should just be happy that they want to do anything at all..

 

[golfgal]

If he got into plumbing and did it the right way by going through vo tech and so forth he could be making $100,000 within 10 yrs. in your area, maybe less. But there is a lot to it.

I know that, you know that but he's 19, he knows everything . $100K would be on the low side of what plumbers make here. I had a few plumbers as clients and their net take home over the past few years was DOWN to about $150K--in this horrible market. Most years they were over $200K.

 

[Schminston-Mo]

DS is a high school freshman, and brought home information on an automotive college. He has also has wanted to join the Marines for the past year or so, so I've been looking at what schools offer NROTC.

So I'm trying to support his plans with a little nudge toward getting a degree as well which I think will help him long term.

 

[Art 1]

I know that, you know that but he's 19, he knows everything . $100K would be on the low side of what plumbers make here. I had a few plumbers as clients and their net take home over the past few years was DOWN to about $150K--in this horrible market. Most years they were over $200K.

The doctors we work for make a big fuss when they get our bills. They say we make more than them.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

My daughter is currently working on her masters in Medieval History. Obviously, practicality is not a big thing in in this family.

Seriously, I think the attitude that all children must go to college to be a success is something that needs to change. The price of college classes keeps rising. So many kids are putting themselves into incredible debt to go to college. They graduate and cannot find a job in the career field, or, decide they don't like that field and end up doing something else.

While going to college is a great thing for some, it isn't the end all be all. I know many successful people who never attended college. Companies that will only consider college grads for jobs that really don't require a college degree need to get over themselves. Things are about to change!

Amen! I am actually encouraging my kids to learn a trade because the current thought that college = good job is creating a shortage in skilled workers. The grease monkey is worth a whole lot more than you'd think and in the future will be worth even more! I hope my kids follow this path. It would thrill me.

Growing up, all the men in my family knew/know how to fix cars and just about everything else mechanical you might own. I married this same kind of guy. Taking a car into a mechanic is like a mortal sin. I've honestly never had to do it. When I hear how much it costs to have a car worked on it makes me feel faint. We just take it over my uncle's house and the fellas figure it out. Recently my daughter said she in interested in taking auto shop at school. I support that fully. Even if it isn't your career, knowing how to fix cars is a priceless skill.

Signed, grandaughter/daughter/niece/sister/wife (and hopefully mother of) of a long line of grease monkeys

 

[minkydog]

When my brother was about 6 he announced at the dinner table that he wanted to grow up to own a bait shop in the Outer Banks. My dad just about had a stroke over it,he was so upset. All through the years my brother just wanted to fish and mess with boats. My dad was thoroughly disgusted with him.

Well, DBro went on to marry and join the Navy where he took a whole bunch of A-school classes. Enough to give him the equivalent of an A.S in electronics. Just the kind of education you need when you want to work on boat motors. DBro ended up moving to the Outer Banks, took more classes from Mercury and Yamaha and became one of only a few Master inboard/outboard mechanics on the eastern seaboard. He doesn't even roll out of bed for less than $60/hour. He lives in a nice house on the water and drives his boat to work every day.

Yeah, if my kid wants to be a mechanic, a plumber, an HVAC technician,a hairdresser, or a chef I'm all for it. People are always going to need those services.

 

[AmandaNied]

Well, when I graduated with honors from High School, i went to a local Community College because I thought I was in "love". I tried Graphic Design, Criminal Jusitice, waited tables and worked in a bar. I learned ALOT about life and the world. I realized I wasn't in love, moved away found a new love, got married and sold office supplies, pierced kid's ears and worked for the USPS. We had a little boy, I went back to school and became a nurse. I'm still in school now, cursing the fact I didn't do it sooner, but my parents have never said " your taking the wrong path" Whatever I was doing, they were proud and excited for me. Every choice I made has brought me to this point in my life, and every job or experience I participated in makes me better at the job I love- nursing. It just took me a little longer to find it.

I can't ever imagine telling my son, you just wanna be a...?

 

[Promomx2]

My ds is a junior and in his first year at automotive tech through his high school. When he graduates from high school, he will have college credit for this. He has already saved me a fortune in auto repairs. I'm just soo proud that he has found his passion. He will work on a car all weekend, late until the night or in the cold. The technical college he wants to go to after high school is $30,000 for tuition but we feel worth it.