Wisdom wanted...

[91redMS13]

Some of you guys know what I'm going thru right now with this thread:
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=178336

That's what I've been going through right now. It hit me so bad & opened my eyes. But now at least I have finally decided to just fudge the car and get a better life, then worry about a project later when I'm able to afford it with no restrictions.

Now a question for you guys out there that may know more than I do. Now as far as making my life better, I need a better career.

Here's my background:

I went to school to become IT (this is back in '01), however, that didn't completely worked out since I got lazy because the job I had at the time I was at school was paying buttload of money for something that's easy. And it wasn't IT related. So basically I didn't practice it so I'm kinda screwed as far as experience, which makes me somewhat obsolete at that department. And also situations forced me to quit that job and move.

After I bought my sentra, I finally found something I like doing and possibly do it for a living. I started working on my sentra and really loved it. I talked to my wife about it and she suggested going into a trade school to become an auto technician. I was doing pretty good until my back started hurting. I tried to lift properly, sleep properly, stretching & working out didn't help it. Just my body mechanics I guess. So I moved into the parts department of the dealership I'm working at and so far I have yet to make any serious money.

So now I'm ready for a change, I want to know if you guys know a profession or a career that incorporates all that I love doing. Which is electrical & mechanical work (hands on) and computer technical work. I am taking this very seriously as I will even go back to school to get the necessary education.

To sum it up what I want is to get a better paying job that will be able to support my family even if my wife doesn't work so she could stay at home for our future children, be able to give something back to my parents (like buy them a house) and be able to support my hobby with cars. If you guys can help I would appreciate it so much. Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long post.

[Matej]

Look into a systems administrator job or any available tech job at a school district near you, some districts pay really well for really easy jobs, the school district I live in pays 24+$ an hour with benefits and everything for the systems administrator position, and all you need is high school education.
Or you could learn how to tune cars I guess, which incorporates both cars and computers.

[pbcstylez]

y not become a test technician for any big manufacturing company?

you do both mechanical electrical in most places

ur in antioch, y not lookup lawrence livermore or biorad in richmond/vallejo

most test technician jobs require basic electronics/comp knowledge hs diploma, college education is a plus,

itll prolly start you around $18+/hr

if you need help with formatting a resume for this field of work I have a side business where I can possibly help you (discounted of course)

[HyperTek]

a friend suggested to me to start my own computer repair etc.. like get a cheapo car.. and just do on call repairs to peoples homes.. Charge per hour etc. he figured it could work.. sounds pretty easy if your into computers.

[steve shadows]

Or you could learn how to tune cars I guess, which incorporates both cars and computers.

This is a side business/interest of mine.

I went to school for politics.

I have a thriving interest for technology and computers as well. I grew up with my much older brother who is now a project manager and head computer scientist for Cisco Systems. He made it good.

For me it's more of a never ending learning experience, and I love to learn new and exciting things.

It's not as easy as it looks, it took me about 6 years of trial and error then reading engineering tech stuff for hours and hours a day when I wasn’t busy at work.

I talk to some of my friends on tips and tricks, who actually work for Shell Oil and Honda racing etc.

It's fun, just remember you have someone's whole life savings and passion in your hands on that dyno-it's a big responsibility.

Also advice is hard to give- especially when you have to turn someone away from tuning on a specific day because they need to get some other things in order, it hurts your pocket book but not theirs. Honest business withstands longer than cheap short hand money grubbing LIKE A LOT of shops out there today especially in socal.

Whatever you decide you love the most and have a passion for work as hard as you can for it and try to master it- you will succeed beyond your dreams-stay wholly optimistic on your instincts for the horizon as well

Cheers :)