Is it worth goint to school to become a small engine mechainc?
- Thread starter ZL50068
- Start date
please expand on this, what kind of tech mechanic, what does that exctly involve? And work with oil/gas...please tell me more about this. thanks....
B
Bullheadmoto
Member
I was a financial planner for 12 years... flat screen tv's polished granite, brass and mahogany woodwork everywhere. 26th floor, not-quite-corner office, MDRT++ producer for the last 5 years, two assistants and was making more money than I ever thought I could.... But I was bored out of my mind and deep down I am just not a suit. I walked away from it 3 years ago to get into manufacturing and now am designing, machining and selling my own line of parts (with help of course!). Making a fraction of what I was making before, I am infinitely happier and love waking up in the morning.
Do what you want and statistically you are going to change at some point anyway.... no biggie. Just follow your heart as long as it pays the bills.
And if the liberals continue to lead the charge, health care is the LAST place I would go.... all our good health care professionals are going to leave if OBAMBI gets his way with this crazy health care crap.
Do what you want and statistically you are going to change at some point anyway.... no biggie. Just follow your heart as long as it pays the bills.
And if the liberals continue to lead the charge, health care is the LAST place I would go.... all our good health care professionals are going to leave if OBAMBI gets his way with this crazy health care crap.
Ox hit it on the head, a young guy I know used to live to go sledding but he made the mistake of going to the same school you are thinking about, now he works on other people's sleds, bikes and boats all day and you cannot get him to go sledding anymore because he is so sick of fixing them he will not even look at his own toys, besides that he has had to put up with some real p****ks for bosses. This young man has seen the light and is now taking night classes in accounting and business. I would wonder if 20 years from now there will be any atvs, sleds or watercraft to work on the way things are going.
Do yourself a favor and read Rich Dad/Poor Dad, it will open your eyes a bit in making your goals no matter what type of education and career path you choose.
Its true there are those that work for money and those who have money work for them!
John
Its true there are those that work for money and those who have money work for them!
John
My advise - go to community college for 2 years, take your prelims for a 4 year school (health care is a great field to get into) and take some classes in what you really like. Find a field you like and go with it, keep the thing you really like / love (small engines?) as a hobby and potential side job / second career. If you do what you love for work it will soon become just that, work. You work to put food on the table and do the things you love. There are a few who can make a living doing what they love and they are truely the lucky ones.
P.S. If UP John is who I think he is, he is one of the lucky ones. Listen to him.
P.S. If UP John is who I think he is, he is one of the lucky ones. Listen to him.
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oil and gas needs heavy equip mech for rigs, trucks and compressor stations, i went to 4 yr school and got my bachelors in heavy equip, and an assoc. in auto and welding, worked in the mines and ended up in the gas field, i know have my own oilfield maint company repairing, rebuilding, sell, rent, operate compressor stations and related equipment. stayin busy but the slow down in the patch has gotten here too. the small engine business is alright but most of the equipment can be thrown away and bought a new one cheaper than fixin it. mechanics degrees will get you a job about anywhere cause no one wants to get dirty or work in the field anymore, just my .02
If you have the smarts- go get a 4yr degree. While you may not be ahead 2-5 years out of school, in the long run of a lifetime wage you will be way ahead. Nothing wrong with the military either- training is paid for, you have experience when/if you get out, and you can come away with a nice fat amount of money for college.
Small engine stuff IMO is best left for a hobby. Its a very dynamic market that is very fickle. People are used to going to Wal-Mart and buying whatever they need right away- people typically arent so used to waiting for something to be repaired- they want it and want it now. Nor are they often willing to pay for it. Many people wont go get a small engine repaired, they junk it and go buy another one. Dealership wrenches for powersport stuff is mediocre money IMO. Plus its often a great way to ruin what is recreation and relaxing for you by making it a J O B.
Small engine stuff IMO is best left for a hobby. Its a very dynamic market that is very fickle. People are used to going to Wal-Mart and buying whatever they need right away- people typically arent so used to waiting for something to be repaired- they want it and want it now. Nor are they often willing to pay for it. Many people wont go get a small engine repaired, they junk it and go buy another one. Dealership wrenches for powersport stuff is mediocre money IMO. Plus its often a great way to ruin what is recreation and relaxing for you by making it a J O B.
Good small engine techs are very hard to come by but the pay is average. My bro is a very good tech and works on some pretty high profile athlete's bikes but the shop he worked at went under and because of his reputation he snagged a job within a day. He has some friends that started work on a race team and have worked their way up the ranks to the better racers and are making close to 6 figures now but they pay the price. During the race season they don't have hardly any free time and what time they do have off is spent with families (which isn't a bad thing) but they don't get the chance to ride for themselves.
Try going to an automotive and diesel college. I see ads everyday for companies looking for diesel techs.
Try going to an automotive and diesel college. I see ads everyday for companies looking for diesel techs.
J
JHG
Well-known member
or.....go in the military for 4 yrs., learn a trade for free, get paid while the economy sucks, get out, if you like the trade, get a job in it....if you don't like it, go to college for free on the GI Bill you earned and be whatever you want to be. If you go to school now for something you're not sure you want to do, chances are you won't finish. The military isn't for everyone but was by far the best thing I ever did.
One good thing about school is it will help with your spelling.
another thing to consider, race season is LONG. Say you did dirt bikes, 12 weeks for MX plus SX. And while the rider gets a day or 2 off, the wrench is rebuilding a bike.
The racing season is long but the wrenches don't get a lot of time off. there is the off-season where bikes are built and rebuilt honing things down and getting setup for the upcoming race season. From what I have heard bikes get more thrashed in practice than in the race.
hey man, i just took a small engines course in fairview ab, it covered sleds, atv, marine, and power equipment... if you wanna get into that i would reccomend the marine side...way bigger dollars, if thats not your thing do motorcycle apprenticeship...you get paid while you learn and any shop(sleds/atv/bikes) will hire you
X
XC700116
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Honestly, I wanted more than anything to go into Small engine/Marine, If your going to do it you've picked a very good school (I'm from the Brainerd area). Anyway, I've thanked my lucky stars every day that my family talked me out of it. I still love the work that path would have given me, however it just makes it hard to make ends meet on the salary involved. Instead I still do work for friends and haven't ever paid anyone to work on any of my toys. I worked the summer after my senior year at a marina, and later worked part time on the side for Heinin's in Oseo when they were a Polaris dealer. Great way to learn more about the machines, and mechanics and get paid a little too. Do it part time during school, and or on the side from your regular job later.Hey guys, this fall I want to attend Alexandria Tech college to take their marine and small engine mechanic course. What I want to know is, is there a demand for this type of mechanic? It would seem if I get an education in all small engines,(lawnmower,outboard, snowmobile, fourwheeler, etc) that I should be able to find some work. What is your honest opinions on this? I dont want to invest all that time and money into a carrer that there isnt a demand for. Thanks guys.....
I did a switch at the last minute and ended up going to Staples for Robotics. Also a great feild if you stick with it. I didn't and have faired well, but do miss being able to play with new technology all the time.
If I had to do it over again I would have went into mechanical engineering. Good pay and if your driven the sky is the limit especially if your willing to further your education beyond the 4 yr degree. And you still get to play with mechanical toys
.If not that then I would go medical, it's not for everyone though.
I have worked at several power sport shops and finding one that you love to work at is the hard part. I started out without power sports schooling , but I am just a mechanical type of person. the shop paid for my school, but like the guys on the thread have stated is that the pay is not that great, and it takes a long time to get into the better money. By the time I got into the better money I was in a very small nitch that it would be hard to find another job without going backwards. As the guys have also stated is that a good way to kill your passion is to work on your passion. As stated above, the auto trade is pretty much a guaranty, everyone will always have cars and trucks. this is just my two cents, most importantly is that you are happy doing what you want, If you are miserable going to work every day it sure makes for a long unhappy work day that spills over into your other parts of your life
Go for your 4 year, you will be way ahead when you are done. Or if you are set on a two year look at Alex Tech's Automation program. It is a good field, money is good (depending on which route you take). I owuld look into engineering either mechanical or civil, you can't go wrong.
P
PalousePoo
Well-known member
be your own boss
If you want to turn wrenches, whatever you choose to wrench on, I would set the goal of someday having your own shop. Start small, do repairs for neighbors and friends out of your garage, and build a GOOD reputation for being a guy not full of B.S. People will come your way once they hear you treat fairly and your word is good! If you go into the auto repair industry, it will be stressful, you have to work without mistakes, and fix intermittent problems the first time. However, working for a dealership will give you knowledge and training for when you open your own independant shop. Just don't go into alot of debt doing it, grow small, as you can affort it. good luck
If you want to turn wrenches, whatever you choose to wrench on, I would set the goal of someday having your own shop. Start small, do repairs for neighbors and friends out of your garage, and build a GOOD reputation for being a guy not full of B.S. People will come your way once they hear you treat fairly and your word is good! If you go into the auto repair industry, it will be stressful, you have to work without mistakes, and fix intermittent problems the first time. However, working for a dealership will give you knowledge and training for when you open your own independant shop. Just don't go into alot of debt doing it, grow small, as you can affort it. good luck
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