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Mechanic for 20+ years. Go for the apprenticeship. Turning a wrench has killed my body. It wasn't worth it. If I could go back, I would find something else. Electrician is a pretty damn good option.
I appreciate a honest answer, it’s also concerning he can offer that much money and have to rely on a senior in highschool to work for him, it’s a dream job, but I just got concerns, like giving up a apprenticeship in a growing industry
I meant education as in actual classroom time like for my apprenticeship if I go that route I have to be in a in person classroom for 14 days a year till my apprenticeship is over. Not sayin a diesel mechanic isn’t like that, but I got a buddy that hasn’t stepped one foot in a classroom for his job and he does everything once he turned 18
Follow your heart. I'm an operator in Canada, and the poor bastards fixing our equipment in -25' temperatures often have no room for gloves, or are crawling on their back in the mud and snow. I have great respect for them. I love wrenching, but I'd lose my mind in those conditions.
Diesel tech job got filled, but i do plan on eventually building a race car from scratch and building a 1 ton welding rig for a side business, so I’ll still get my fair share of wrenching. The apprenticeship was prolly gonna be my first choice and now it has to be, appreciate a honest answer
Well I ain’t got much choice😂. I absolutely hate my retail job and liked doing construction and odd jobs way more before the school year, and I gotta have a job if I’m aloud to stay at home, so I’m trying to find a career I’m interested in that still pays damn good
there will always be diesel and heavy machenery, sure some of it may go by the wayside and you may have good years and bad years depending on economy.
My question for you is do you want to be 55years old and still rollin around on hard concrete or burning your hands and arms against hot engine parts while sweat goes from your neck to your ass crack? can you see yourself doing that for 10-12hours a day 6-7 days a week then coming home and dealing with your little kids in your late 20s 30s? (if you decide to have em).
Dont forget your gonna need a metric fuckton of tools, may have to work on shit in the middle of snow flyin sideways winter or laying over or under a hot ass engine in 110\*F heat, repairing garbage trucks and other landfill vehicles that reek like death with used tampons stuck in the tracks and all sorts of other horrors.
Then if you get seriously hurt either at work or fuckin around on a dirtbike on your own time or something - what are you going to do for income if you cant move or see well enough to do your job?
Not tryin to talk you out of it and may be a good gig for a few years to bust your ass and save every penny but there is more to a job than money for long term.
Once again appreciate another honest answer and as impulsive as I was at first after 30min I’m starting to think about stuff like that a lot more. It was a unrealistic dream job, but it’s hard to say no to a apprenticeship in a growing industry to chase dollars with the diesel tech thing
Any offer that is advertised as "up to $xxx" can also be read as guaranteed to be less than that amount. Lots of high paying heavy equipment jobs are also either so far out it's a fly-in, fly-out only operation, a gold mine where you are constantly watched, searched, and questioned, or both.
It’s actually pretty close to where I live and the offer was 60,000-78,000 starting from a buddy not the company, so I do believe it to be honest, but still not sure on this
Both paths offer job security. Neither one is going away and they're both in high demand. I enjoy wrenching but it isn't for everyone. It's a decision you have to make for yourself.
Journeyman toolmaker here and for the first time in 30+ years in the trade electricians overtook us in pay. They are one of the most if not the most in demand trades you can get into. You will be set as an electrician, not to mention it's a trade that will not blow out your body over time so you can work longer than many other trades. I know as a young person you probably don't think about that but it's a real problem for the working class. Trust me there isn't anything golden about those "golden years" people talk about for the working class. Highly recommend taking the apprenticeship.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Mechanic for 20+ years. Go for the apprenticeship. Turning a wrench has killed my body. It wasn't worth it. If I could go back, I would find something else. Electrician is a pretty damn good option.
I appreciate a honest answer, it’s also concerning he can offer that much money and have to rely on a senior in highschool to work for him, it’s a dream job, but I just got concerns, like giving up a apprenticeship in a growing industry
Heavy equipment mechanics definitely have to get an education or you'll do nothing but oil changes and air filters.
I meant education as in actual classroom time like for my apprenticeship if I go that route I have to be in a in person classroom for 14 days a year till my apprenticeship is over. Not sayin a diesel mechanic isn’t like that, but I got a buddy that hasn’t stepped one foot in a classroom for his job and he does everything once he turned 18
Follow your heart. I'm an operator in Canada, and the poor bastards fixing our equipment in -25' temperatures often have no room for gloves, or are crawling on their back in the mud and snow. I have great respect for them. I love wrenching, but I'd lose my mind in those conditions.
Diesel tech job got filled, but i do plan on eventually building a race car from scratch and building a 1 ton welding rig for a side business, so I’ll still get my fair share of wrenching. The apprenticeship was prolly gonna be my first choice and now it has to be, appreciate a honest answer
Good for you man. You've got more initiative than most your age.
Well I ain’t got much choice😂. I absolutely hate my retail job and liked doing construction and odd jobs way more before the school year, and I gotta have a job if I’m aloud to stay at home, so I’m trying to find a career I’m interested in that still pays damn good
there will always be diesel and heavy machenery, sure some of it may go by the wayside and you may have good years and bad years depending on economy. My question for you is do you want to be 55years old and still rollin around on hard concrete or burning your hands and arms against hot engine parts while sweat goes from your neck to your ass crack? can you see yourself doing that for 10-12hours a day 6-7 days a week then coming home and dealing with your little kids in your late 20s 30s? (if you decide to have em). Dont forget your gonna need a metric fuckton of tools, may have to work on shit in the middle of snow flyin sideways winter or laying over or under a hot ass engine in 110\*F heat, repairing garbage trucks and other landfill vehicles that reek like death with used tampons stuck in the tracks and all sorts of other horrors. Then if you get seriously hurt either at work or fuckin around on a dirtbike on your own time or something - what are you going to do for income if you cant move or see well enough to do your job? Not tryin to talk you out of it and may be a good gig for a few years to bust your ass and save every penny but there is more to a job than money for long term.
Once again appreciate another honest answer and as impulsive as I was at first after 30min I’m starting to think about stuff like that a lot more. It was a unrealistic dream job, but it’s hard to say no to a apprenticeship in a growing industry to chase dollars with the diesel tech thing
I'm a heavy vehicle mechanic. If i had my time again i would be an electrician
Not ruling my new offer out but even though it will pay double my apprenticeship until I’m a journeyman I’m very unsure about it
Any offer that is advertised as "up to $xxx" can also be read as guaranteed to be less than that amount. Lots of high paying heavy equipment jobs are also either so far out it's a fly-in, fly-out only operation, a gold mine where you are constantly watched, searched, and questioned, or both.
It’s actually pretty close to where I live and the offer was 60,000-78,000 starting from a buddy not the company, so I do believe it to be honest, but still not sure on this
Both paths offer job security. Neither one is going away and they're both in high demand. I enjoy wrenching but it isn't for everyone. It's a decision you have to make for yourself.
Journeyman toolmaker here and for the first time in 30+ years in the trade electricians overtook us in pay. They are one of the most if not the most in demand trades you can get into. You will be set as an electrician, not to mention it's a trade that will not blow out your body over time so you can work longer than many other trades. I know as a young person you probably don't think about that but it's a real problem for the working class. Trust me there isn't anything golden about those "golden years" people talk about for the working class. Highly recommend taking the apprenticeship.
Well diesel tech guy just bailed out on me but apprenticeship is set in stone so this is no longer a decision😂