Thinking about a change in career - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 04:05 PM

Ok, so right now, I am 22, working in the IT feild, and frankly, its getting old. Same crap, day in and day out. That, and its something I am really losing a passion for (used to LOVE this stuff). Been learning about it in classrooms since I was a freshmen in HS, and now, I am a college grad with a B.S. in Network Engineering.

Been considering going back to school in RI for either Auto Body or Mechanics, not really sure which yet. Couple things I was wondering though. First off, has anyone here done something like this? Also, what kind of pay is out there for someone starting in the feild (with a degree. I will stay working in IT until I would graduate from Automotive program). What kind of experience are employers in this field are looking for?

So, fine people of TST, any advice?

igo4bmx · 03-19-2008, 04:23 PM

have you tried a different company?
my company is pretty bleeding edge so every year i'm working on something different.

ThePrimerSuspect · 03-19-2008, 04:32 PM

for the love of God, dont go into the automotive field. i had been trying to get out for at least a year before i finally snapped and just walked out one day. it was the absolute best decision i have ever made in my life. its not everything they hype it up to be. you will be lucky to make $25k (gross) your first year. especially at a dealership. you can make more if your either a thief or have someone in your family who is high up at a place. thats the only people i ever saw make any money in the business.

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igo4bmx

have you tried a different company?
my company is pretty bleeding edge so every year i'm working on something different.

Working on the different company thing. Waiting for some interviews and that good stuff. If you dont mind my asking, what company do you work for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePrimerSuspect

for the love of God, dont go into the automotive field. i had been trying to get out for at least a year before i finally snapped and just walked out one day. it was the absolute best decision i have ever made in my life. its not everything they hype it up to be. you will be lucky to make $25k (gross) your first year. especially at a dealership. you can make more if your either a thief or have someone in your family who is high up at a place. thats the only people i ever saw make any money in the business.

Yea, and thats what I am afraid of. I mean, I only make about $35k now, and that isnt enough to do a lot of what I want to do.

I think a big part of this is, I am tired of sitting at a desk, and I want to do something more active. But eh... we will see where this takes me.

Nick 95 6sp · 03-19-2008, 04:44 PM

I PM'd you with a suggestion.

igo4bmx · 03-19-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

Working on the different company thing. Waiting for some interviews and that good stuff. If you dont mind my asking, what company do you work for?

Yea, and thats what I am afraid of. I mean, I only make about $35k now, and that isnt enough to do a lot of what I want to do.

I think a big part of this is, I am tired of sitting at a desk, and I want to do something more active. But eh... we will see where this takes me.

woah send me your resume- I wanna know what you do for 35k.
I'm a sys admin at a large food company which will remain nameless.

Scapegoat · 03-19-2008, 05:31 PM

what do you do in the IT field?

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

what do you do in the IT field?

Get yelled at over the phone?

Its not really IT right now, its inbound technical support. And it sucks.

96Stang · 03-19-2008, 06:05 PM

I would take everyone elses suggestions and NOT go into the automotive field...unless you have a pretty solid IN at a shop or something that you know will hook you up with good pay and all out the door.

I just quit my old JOB about 3 weeks ago and after finishing my 2 weeks there, I am now in my first week in my new CAREER in sales. The job is, so far, pretty good and I only see it getting better with my knowledge growing. I am not calling people asking "Hey guy, do you want to buy so and so from me?"...I am only really taking calls from people that know what they want, I narrow it down, quote them, purchase, ship, follow up and other things. I am still getting used this since I have never done it before, but I will be making my way up the ladder quickly salary-wise. I start low because I have NO experience at all but it progresses to around 63% above what I was making 3 weeks ago in about a year. So, I would say that is pretty big of an increase.

Obviously this may not be for you, but just saying there are other things out there that you may not have even thought of. Give everything a proper thought and think if you could truely be happy doing it for the rest of your life...beings that you are obviously talking career.

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96Stang

I would take everyone elses suggestions and NOT go into the automotive field...unless you have a pretty solid IN at a shop or something that you know will hook you up with good pay and all out the door.

I just quit my old JOB about 3 weeks ago and after finishing my 2 weeks there, I am now in my first week in my new CAREER in sales. The job is, so far, pretty good and I only see it getting better with my knowledge growing. I am not calling people asking "Hey guy, do you want to buy so and so from me?"...I am only really taking calls from people that know what they want, I narrow it down, quote them, purchase, ship, follow up and other things. I am still getting used this since I have never done it before, but I will be making my way up the ladder quickly salary-wise. I start low because I have NO experience at all but it progresses to around 63% above what I was making 3 weeks ago in about a year. So, I would say that is pretty big of an increase.

Obviously this may not be for you, but just saying there are other things out there that you may not have even thought of. Give everything a proper thought and think if you could truely be happy doing it for the rest of your life...beings that you are obviously talking career.

Did the whole sales thing before, HATED it. And mine was inbound calling as well (same company, started in that position). As for everything else, Ive considered other ideas, like staying in IT, and moving to a different disclipine if you want to call it that (programming, visual design, yada yada). Dunna, I mean, im still young, and things are still out there.

NOPSTNS · 03-19-2008, 06:46 PM

DONT BE A MECHANIC. i work on cars and hate every minute of it.....id give anything to have a new career...id do anything....

Scapegoat · 03-19-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

Get yelled at over the phone?

Its not really IT right now, its inbound technical support. And it sucks.

wow, that's so ****ing helpful...

again, what do you do in the IT field...

Jon@WrightAgency · 03-19-2008, 06:51 PM

I dont know if this is your thing, but i knew a few guys that did there exact same job - but for a contractor in Iraq/Middle East for about 3 times the money (35k x 3 = 105k!!!)

That would be enough to keep me interested in my job (being in a foriegn land + money!) and when they got home, their resumes were all beefed up from that experience that they went and found decent jobs (not still at 100k) but at a lot more than they were at previously.

Something to think about......

frosti108 · 03-19-2008, 06:52 PM

duh, just become a pro driftzer!

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

wow, that's so ****ing helpful...

again, what do you do in the IT field...

Lol.... I do inbound technical support for a battery back-up company. Team I am on supports mainly small to meduim businesses, and some consumer level products. Issues range mostly from units telling you to replace the battery, to other issues that involve networked devices (management cards mostly).

Before, did technical support work for a small wireless firm, and did on site support for deinstallations, and some on site maintence for Ethernet-over-phone equipment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frosti108

duh, just become a pro driftzer!

And no. Not becoming a pro "drifzer!" If I raced, it would be rally all the way

Scapegoat · 03-19-2008, 07:30 PM

next question, what can you do in the IT field?

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 07:52 PM

Scape, you gotta PM.

igo4bmx · 03-19-2008, 08:46 PM

it sounds like you do tech support which obviously gets mundane.
can you extend and offer yourself to some of the admin aspects of the job?

TGilb2007 · 03-19-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igo4bmx

it sounds like you do tech support which obviously gets mundane.
can you extend and offer yourself to some of the admin aspects of the job?

Admin, as in network adminstration type?

Really, I dont do a lot of admin type stuff, company doesnt let me get too deep into that, due to privacy/security reasons. I mean, I know how to work Active Directory, user management, configure DHCP/DNS, although I havent in quite some time, and not outside of a safe lab. Mind you, im young, and still pretty green in real world work.

igo4bmx · 03-19-2008, 08:59 PM

are u in school or is this a full time job?i'd say you try another place- the job may be boring b/c where you at.

03-19-2008, 04:05 PM	#1
TGilb2007 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newark, DE/Providence, RI Member #3189 My Ride: 2006 Chevy Cobalt iTrader: (0)	Thinking about a change in career Ok, so right now, I am 22, working in the IT feild, and frankly, its getting old. Same crap, day in and day out. That, and its something I am really losing a passion for (used to LOVE this stuff). Been learning about it in classrooms since I was a freshmen in HS, and now, I am a college grad with a B.S. in Network Engineering. Been considering going back to school in RI for either Auto Body or Mechanics, not really sure which yet. Couple things I was wondering though. First off, has anyone here done something like this? Also, what kind of pay is out there for someone starting in the feild (with a degree. I will stay working in IT until I would graduate from Automotive program). What kind of experience are employers in this field are looking for? So, fine people of TST, any advice? __________________ 06 Cobalt LT (Daily) / 99 W Cabrio (Project)

03-19-2008, 04:23 PM	#2
igo4bmx Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Under the bar... Member #592 My Ride: 2009 Audi A3 Quattro, 2008 BMW X5, 2003 WW Evo8, 2000 Turbo SOHC Civic iTrader: (1)	have you tried a different company? my company is pretty bleeding edge so every year i'm working on something different. __________________ BOOST doesn't get you laid. Roofies and some creativity does however Tuned by some white dude @ a shopwithbigtrucks.com "You get what you pay for" - thanks captain obvious, unless you bought rotas and received volks.

03-19-2008, 04:44 PM	#5
Nick 95 6sp Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Narberth, PA Member #3675 My Ride: '95 Supra Turbo 6sp iTrader: (0)	I PM'd you with a suggestion. __________________ Nick '95 6sp Supra Twin GT2860's w/TiAL exhaust housings, 2X TiAL WG's and BOV's, on V-band moded HKS twin manifolds, AEM v2, FJO w/NTK, AEM meth/water spray, GSC S1 cams, OS Giken triple clutch and Super Lock LSD, Racelogic

03-19-2008, 06:05 PM	#9
96Stang Tri-State Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bucks County Member #174 My Ride: 2009 VW Rabbit iTrader: (1)	I would take everyone elses suggestions and NOT go into the automotive field...unless you have a pretty solid IN at a shop or something that you know will hook you up with good pay and all out the door. I just quit my old JOB about 3 weeks ago and after finishing my 2 weeks there, I am now in my first week in my new CAREER in sales. The job is, so far, pretty good and I only see it getting better with my knowledge growing. I am not calling people asking "Hey guy, do you want to buy so and so from me?"...I am only really taking calls from people that know what they want, I narrow it down, quote them, purchase, ship, follow up and other things. I am still getting used this since I have never done it before, but I will be making my way up the ladder quickly salary-wise. I start low because I have NO experience at all but it progresses to around 63% above what I was making 3 weeks ago in about a year. So, I would say that is pretty big of an increase. Obviously this may not be for you, but just saying there are other things out there that you may not have even thought of. Give everything a proper thought and think if you could truely be happy doing it for the rest of your life...beings that you are obviously talking career. __________________ took me 2 years and some change to get an avatar up on here... am i proud of that?? no would i do it again?? maybe is this place addicting?? yes

03-19-2008, 07:52 PM	#17
TGilb2007 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newark, DE/Providence, RI Member #3189 My Ride: 2006 Chevy Cobalt iTrader: (0)	Scape, you gotta PM. __________________ 06 Cobalt LT (Daily) / 99 W Cabrio (Project)

03-19-2008, 04:32 PM	#3
ThePrimerSuspect Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: philly Member #1241 iTrader: (0)	for the love of God, dont go into the automotive field. i had been trying to get out for at least a year before i finally snapped and just walked out one day. it was the absolute best decision i have ever made in my life. its not everything they hype it up to be. you will be lucky to make $25k (gross) your first year. especially at a dealership. you can make more if your either a thief or have someone in your family who is high up at a place. thats the only people i ever saw make any money in the business.

03-19-2008, 05:31 PM	#7
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	what do you do in the IT field?

03-19-2008, 06:46 PM	#11
NOPSTNS Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Member #3176 iTrader: (0)	DONT BE A MECHANIC. i work on cars and hate every minute of it.....id give anything to have a new career...id do anything....

03-19-2008, 06:51 PM	#13
Jon@WrightAgency Tri-State Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Downingtown, PA Member #7093 My Ride: All Types of Cars! iTrader: (0)	I dont know if this is your thing, but i knew a few guys that did there exact same job - but for a contractor in Iraq/Middle East for about 3 times the money (35k x 3 = 105k!!!) That would be enough to keep me interested in my job (being in a foriegn land + money!) and when they got home, their resumes were all beefed up from that experience that they went and found decent jobs (not still at 100k) but at a lot more than they were at previously. Something to think about......

03-19-2008, 06:52 PM	#14
frosti108 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: norristown Member #5883 My Ride: Track- RB S13. Street- 2J SC300 + SR S14 iTrader: (10)	duh, just become a pro driftzer!

03-19-2008, 07:30 PM	#16
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	next question, what can you do in the IT field?

03-19-2008, 08:46 PM	#18
igo4bmx Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Under the bar... Member #592 My Ride: 2009 Audi A3 Quattro, 2008 BMW X5, 2003 WW Evo8, 2000 Turbo SOHC Civic iTrader: (1)	it sounds like you do tech support which obviously gets mundane. can you extend and offer yourself to some of the admin aspects of the job? __________________ BOOST doesn't get you laid. Roofies and some creativity does however Tuned by some white dude @ a shopwithbigtrucks.com "You get what you pay for" - thanks captain obvious, unless you bought rotas and received volks.

03-19-2008, 08:59 PM	#20
igo4bmx Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Under the bar... Member #592 My Ride: 2009 Audi A3 Quattro, 2008 BMW X5, 2003 WW Evo8, 2000 Turbo SOHC Civic iTrader: (1)	are u in school or is this a full time job?i'd say you try another place- the job may be boring b/c where you at. __________________ BOOST doesn't get you laid. Roofies and some creativity does however Tuned by some white dude @ a shopwithbigtrucks.com "You get what you pay for" - thanks captain obvious, unless you bought rotas and received volks.

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