I have been a Porsche tech for 6 years now and working on cars professionaly for over 10. I am ASE Master and Porsche Master certified. It's safe to say that I am the the best at what I do in San Antonio and South Texas and my pay reflects this. I routinely fix cars that other dealers cannot. I also run the best numbers for my dealership compared to the other techs we have. With that said, I used to enjoy doing what I do. Lately I'm just bored with it and its wearing me out. I'm 32 years old and I wake up every morning with an aching back, shoulders, arms and hands. Its hot down here. Its going to hit 100 every day this week and its still a month out from the hottest time of the year. Working on these cars after they have been sitting in the sun all day or are still hot from their drive in is no fun. I'm sweating so much its hard to stay hydrated. I am exhausted when I get home and am no fun for my little boy or my wife. I have been avoiding hanging out with friends after work because I just want to unwind. This has also kept me from riding much.
How many of you have made a career change? What was your reasoning behind the career change? Are you happy with your decision?
I am not certain that I am going to do this. It would seriously affect the people I work with who I have come to call family. I don't even know what sort of line of work I would be looking at. I also know this really isn't the time to be in the job market, I guess I'm just trying to weigh my options.
Jon
do porn. master certified, good with the tools...it's already there. ;D
on the serious side...
have you given much thought to doing the same work for another shop?
Sounds to me like half of it isn't just the work, but the working conditions.
Imagine a 70 degree year round climate controlled shop in San Diego. Would it suck so bad still?
I've never done a career change for happiness, only for money. I figure work is supposed to suck.
We've already talked about my exodus from being a tech but I think you're going to have to take a pay cut to go the route I went.
What sucks is you're probably going to have to get some kind of degree to make what your making as a tech. I found a nice university here in Columbus that caters to working adults. Got a similar paying job about 6 months into and have moved up in pay twice since then.
Quote from: metallimonster on June 16, 2009, 11:21:39 AM
We've already talked about my exodus from being a tech but I think you're going to have to take a pay cut to go the route I went.
What sucks is you're probably going to have to get some kind of degree to make what your making as a tech. I found a nice university here in Columbus that caters to working adults. Got a similar paying job about 6 months into and have moved up in pay twice since then.
Actually our conversation is what comes to mind.
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 16, 2009, 11:21:19 AM
Sounds to me like half of it isn't just the work, but the working conditions.
Imagine a 70 degree year round climate controlled shop in San Diego. Would it suck so bad still?
I've never done a career change for happiness, only for money. I figure work is supposed to suck.
I know quite a few techs from all around Cali and several from San Diego because the Porsche training center is in wonderful Ontario and I'm required to go twice a year. Sometime in the next two or three years we will be getting a new facility with an airconditioned shop. It will be very nice but I think I will still be worn out.
Quote from: KnightofNi on June 16, 2009, 11:16:00 AM
do porn. master certified, good with the tools...it's already there. ;D
on the serious side...
have you given much thought to doing the same work for another shop?
If I make a change, it will be to get out of this business alltogether.
I've had several careers and have gone back to school twice after my undergrad degree. I've been working since I was 15 and have done everything from hard rock mining, to carpentry, and now I am an economist. I'm 38. My first degree was in forestry and worked all over the South when I couldn't find a job in the West due to complete cessation of public timber sales in the 80's. The first time I went back to school, I did so because I didn't want to be 50 and putting on my snake/briar chaps every morning only to come home every night exhausted and covered in ticks, chiggers, etc. I went back to school a second time to advance my degree to the point that I could become a consultant. If it ain't working, by all means, change it. That doesn't mean doing something rash - each time I made a major change, I got my ducks in a row first. I now run a one man consulting business and couldn't be happier. Making the leap from a "forever" government job to owning my own business was daunting, but one I am really glad I took. BTW, it took me three years of planning and saving before I could hang up my own shingle......
My point is, life is short, do what you like. It might take years to get to that next step, but you gotta get up every day and move the ball forward.
man, I can hear that.
when I worked for a dealer, it was hell.. the shop was Freezing in the winter, and hotter then hell in the summer, it was a constant rush to finish this, that, and the other, all at the same time, pay was crap and the advisor would pretty much give our time away to keep the customers happy.. our manager was a dick, if you wanted a raise you would have to go beg for it, he would ususally just remind you that its a "at will state" so take your pay and be happy.
I almost changed to working in computers, I even took a bunch of network cert classes.
I said make the beast with two backsit, and started saving, every penny I could, when I had enought to rent, get tools, open doors and have enough saved for the lean times, I quit and opened my own shop. I'm much happier now, though still worn out, but knowing that my work goes to me, and no one else (cept the gov [laugh] ) has made a huge difference in my out look and pay check. Eventually, I want to be at the point, where I own a few shops, and have people breaking their backs for me.. I would also like to get into opeing a few other businesses out side of the auto field.. I'm actually looking at starting one soon (it would be a small coffee shop, thats inside a laundrymat, right next to a school, in a neighborhood with nothing else in it, I already have some one who's lined up and ready to run it with experiance, the zoning is proving to be the tricky part)
If your as good a tech as you say you are, talk to porsche corprate, if there anything like VW (and I'm sure they are) they have a rep for each area who they fly around, with the simple job of fixing problems others can't before they have to buy back a vehicle. That would be a pretty sweet gig, when the reps came down, they always had this half on vacation set of mind.
Quote from: acalles on June 16, 2009, 11:52:17 AM
when I worked for a dealer, it was hell.. the shop was Freezing in the winter, and hotter then hell in the summer, it was a constant rush to finish this, that, and the other, all at the same time, pay was crap and the advisor would pretty much give our time away to keep the customers happy.. our manager was a dick, if you wanted a raise you would have to go beg for it, he would ususally just remind you that its a "at will state" so take your pay and be happy.
Dude did we work at the same dealership. You had to threaten to quit to get a raise where I worked. I just couldn't stand flat rate and being the low man on the totem pole I had to work 50 hours to make 40. Couldn't be happier as an accountant.
Do check the rep avenue. I have a buddy who is in the process of becoming one for Audi. He got started on this track by placing in the top five of the Audi Twin Cup Challenge. I'm sure Porche does something like that and it seems like you could do well on it. [thumbsup]
Other than that, pick a new career, go to school and network until you find an in. Thats what I did. Like I mentioned before I loved actually working on cars it was just the pressure to go faster and make money that turned me off. I know accounting isn't the most glamorous carrer but I make good money doing it and don't want to drive my car off a bridge after work every day. ;D
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 16, 2009, 11:21:19 AM
Sounds to me like half of it isn't just the work, but the working conditions.
Imagine a 70 degree year round climate controlled shop in San Diego. Would it suck so bad still?
i'm sure having to pay ~10% state income tax would.
with your experience, sounds like you should be moving into a managerial spot with some techs underneath you, and them doing most of the work, whilst you tell them how... from behind a desk... with A/C... and a big window... to watch them... screw everything up...
I was a Benz tech for about 3 years. Got a dealership gig right after graduating from Wyotech. Bosses were dicks, always trying to make the tech out to be the bad guy. So I ended my term of service with them and joined the Army. I've been in for just over 3 years with about 14 months deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan (2 and 12 respectively) I miss my family while I'm gone, but I love what I do.
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v257/48/77/500079039/n500079039_491785_7500.jpg)
This is me in my upstairs "office"
what corey said.
is there any way you can start gettin' up the food chain?
i'm in a similar sitch, myself. been actively looking for a way out/up from where I'm at...
I am 36, have changed careers twice now, and am working on a third. I used to be in IS/IT (Information Systems or Information Technology, depending on the company--basically fixing computers and administering a network). Then made the leap into marketing and was a go-between for the engineers and the marketing department at Hitachi because I could speak geek and translate to English.
Climbed the ladder, made COO of a software firm by the time I was 29, and was making a lot of money but also under A LOT of stress. We could travel and do whatever we wanted, but there were days when I honestly wanted to murder people. My late husband encouraged me to make my favorite thing--yoga--my livelihood. So I bought a yoga studio and started teaching. It was a labor of love, mostly, because you really don't make a lot in that business. But I had my husband's 6-figure paycheck to fall back on, he didn't mind paying the bills, and I was happy which made him happy, so on I went.
When Caleb died last year I realized I had to do something to support myself that was generally recession-proof and a guaranteed job. So now I'm in school for nursing AND teaching yoga AND running a business--which is extremely challenging. I am also trying to sell said business so I can concentrate on school and get a good job before I run out of money. I'll let you know how it turns out. [thumbsup]
My strongest word of advice: if you can do what you LOVE, DO IT. If earning a certain dollar amount each month is a necessity, I don't recommend making a leap into a new thing right this second unless you have enough saved to cover yourself for a year or more. Going to school and working is tough--take it from me--but doable. Then again, I don't have a family to worry about--just my dogs and cats. Weigh ALL your options carefully, talk to the wife honestly, and go from there.
Good luck!
Quote from: River on June 16, 2009, 02:27:42 PM
------------snip---------------
My strongest word of advice: if you can do what you LOVE, DO IT. If earning a certain dollar amount each month is a necessity, I don't recommend making a leap into a new thing right this second unless you have enough saved to cover yourself for a year or more.
------------snip---------------
There's the core issue.
Quote from: acalles on June 16, 2009, 11:52:17 AM
If your as good a tech as you say you are, talk to porsche corprate, if there anything like VW (and I'm sure they are) they have a rep for each area who they fly around, with the simple job of fixing problems others can't before they have to buy back a vehicle. That would be a pretty sweet gig, when the reps came down, they always had this half on vacation set of mind.
I didn't mean to sound like a car god, I am good but there are plenty better, just not anywhere around here. If I was to work for Porsche North America I would be living out of a suitcase. Our regional service manager owns an Ironhorse that he hasn't had a chance to ride in six months because he is only home on the weekends and that time is for his family.
Quote from: teddy037.2 on June 16, 2009, 02:16:48 PM
what corey said.
is there any way you can start gettin' up the food chain?
i'm in a similar sitch, myself. been actively looking for a way out/up from where I'm at...
Wouldn't mind making service manager here, but that would mean my boss would no longer be here. We are close.
Zzilla thanks for serving. Be safe. [thumbsup]
More money would be nice (it always is) but thats not the issue. I'm tired of busting my ass to fix other peoples toys and the lack of appreciation for the things I do. I'm tired of coming home every day and being mentally and physically exhausted. I guess I'm just starting to wonder if there are better things out there. Nick, River, I used to love what I do. The job still has its satisfying times. I may still stick with it I'm not sure. Whenever I take my play and turn it into work I become bored with it and then quit playing.
Living out of a suitcase sucks, IME.
I haven't done a lot of it, but the little I did made it clear that it wasn't for me.
Part of your decision will be based on whether you can relocate.
Dunno where you are on that...
Wonderful Ontario! [laugh]
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 16, 2009, 03:29:25 PM
-------------snip---------------
More money would be nice (it always is) but thats not the issue. I'm tired of busting my ass to fix other peoples toys and the lack of appreciation for the things I do. I'm tired of coming home every day and being mentally and physically exhausted. I guess I'm just starting to wonder if there are better things out there. Nick, River, I used to love what I do. The job still has its satisfying times. I may still stick with it I'm not sure. Whenever I take my play and turn it into work I become bored with it and then quit playing.
There's better stuff out there, but it usually comes with a price attached to the job or other aspects of life.
All a compromise.
I left the engineering field to do Ducati service.
I enjoy it more, but the coin isn't the same.
Working on motorcycles isn't as physically demanding, so that's something there.
OTOH, it's not likely you would make the kind of money you're getting now.
Turning a hobby into a job does have some danger attached.
I've suffered a bit with that.
48 Days to the Work You Love
ISBN-10: 0805431888
ISBN-13: 9780805431889
No More Mondays
ISBN-10: 1400073863
ISBN-13: 978-1400073863
having made the decision a year ago to change careers......i do not recommend the timing.
I ran away from my last employment without thinking things through. Now I'm a bum at my parent's place. :-\ [roll] Now sucks.
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 16, 2009, 11:11:34 AM
I have been a Porsche tech for 6 years now and working on cars professionaly for over 10. I am ASE Master and Porsche Master certified. It's safe to say that I am the the best at what I do in San Antonio and South Texas and my pay reflects this. I routinely fix cars that other dealers cannot. I also run the best numbers for my dealership compared to the other techs we have. With that said, I used to enjoy doing what I do. Lately I'm just bored with it and its wearing me out. I'm 32 years old and I wake up every morning with an aching back, shoulders, arms and hands. Its hot down here. Its going to hit 100 every day this week and its still a month out from the hottest time of the year. Working on these cars after they have been sitting in the sun all day or are still hot from their drive in is no fun. I'm sweating so much its hard to stay hydrated. I am exhausted when I get home and am no fun for my little boy or my wife. I have been avoiding hanging out with friends after work because I just want to unwind. This has also kept me from riding much.
How many of you have made a career change? What was your reasoning behind the career change? Are you happy with your decision?
I am not certain that I am going to do this. It would seriously affect the people I work with who I have come to call family. I don't even know what sort of line of work I would be looking at. I also know this really isn't the time to be in the job market, I guess I'm just trying to weigh my options.
Jon
I do a career change every time I feel like you do right now...
so I could maintain.
It hasn't worked financially...
but...
I can look in the mirror every morning and like who I see.
Keep the same profession..just change your surroundings!! [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
You guys have idea for second career and that's a tough thing to figure out. I know because I am still trying to figure that out.
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 16, 2009, 03:29:25 PM
Wouldn't mind making service manager here, but that would mean my boss would no longer be here. We are close.
what about other shops near you?
adam's got a good point... stay in the game, just change your digs
you could always follow Zzilla... he's coming to hawaii ;)
Learn to make the beast with two backsin' spell!
it's advice, not advise!!
(shakin' fist)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/IMG00265-20090616-2110.jpg)
Quote from: Cayenne Lily on June 16, 2009, 07:03:50 PM
Learn to make the beast with two backsin' spell!
it's advice, not advise!!
(shakin' fist)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/IMG00265-20090616-2110.jpg)
I'm gonna leave it that way just to piss you off. ;D
Quote from: Cayenne Lily on June 16, 2009, 07:03:50 PM
Learn to make the beast with two backsin' spell!
it's advice, not advise!!
(shakin' fist)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DML/IMG00265-20090616-2110.jpg)
correct spelling is no longer mandatory...
get with the program 'tizzzz ;D
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 16, 2009, 07:18:36 PM
I'm gonna leave it that way just to piss you off. ;D
BUDDY!!
Quote from: Mr Natural on June 16, 2009, 07:20:29 PM
correct spelling is no longer mandatory...
get with the program 'tizzzz ;D
say it with a lithp and i'll believe you
sthpelling
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 16, 2009, 07:18:36 PM
I'm gonna leave it that way just to piss you off. ;D
LOL [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
Quote from: Freewheelin' Frank Freak on June 16, 2009, 07:37:52 PM
LOL [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
Holy shit-it's the freak brothers!
I remember reading all those underground comics when I was younger.
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 16, 2009, 07:52:36 PM
Holy shit-it's the freak brothers!
I remember reading all those underground comics when I was younger.
my favorite
Quote from: Speeddog on June 16, 2009, 03:52:29 PM
Living out of a suitcase sucks, IME.
I haven't done a lot of it, but the little I did made it clear that it wasn't for me.
It's doable for a while (and can even be fun for a while if you are unattached) but it's hard to do a traveling job long-term.
I did it >20 years ago. I was a heavy duty truck tech. had advanced to service manager, still some hands on. Got to looking at 50 year old heavy duty mechanics and decided I needed to make a change. I too felt I was pretty good, and smarter than average. I do not have a degree.
I made a switch to an engineering environment in a major manufacturing company as an engineering tech. Did that for 3 years and didn't care to much for that. Missed the customer contact.
Left that role for a service rep position with another co to get a resume entry. I had worked with the service team while in engineering and thought i might like that.
<2 years later went back to the company previously mentioned in a service role and I remain there today. I have advanced to a manger role, I like it fine. There was some suitcase time early in my career here, but that was OK too. Got to see a lot of America on the company dime, and it enabled me to meet our distributor people all over the US, which I feel helped my career advancement. The cveats are I advanced to manager a few years ago when my comapy was hurting and there was an outside hiring freeze. The were less concerned with the degree than capability in that time frame.
Suggestions for you:
Engineering Technician,
Service Rep
Service Engineer
Field Service
A good technician can figure out most anything technical. When's the last time you had to pay someone to repair anything around your house? Maybe I was too stupid to be afraid, but I never did. I sometimes do now for convenience sake.
So any company that manufactures anything has need for the above mentioned roles, which top technicians are good candidates for, especially if they have some customer facing experience to go with it.
Think in terms of Harley, Polaris, Arctic Cat. They all have manufacturin, customer and service support, dealer support, and training departments scattered across the upper midwest where is is much cooler. Especially in winter! ;D
An old friend of mine is a dealer support guy for Polaris. One of his tasks is product evaluation. He is assigned to ride new bikes and put lots of miles on them and report back. Tough duty!
I ran on a bit, sorry about that, but there are lots of options out there for 'old' techs that are not afraid to take a chance, tune up the ol' resume and see what happens.
I appreciate everybodies replies. Keep em comin. Still not sure what I'm gonna do yet. [thumbsup]
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 17, 2009, 10:19:36 AM
I appreciate everybodies replies. Keep em comin. Still not sure what I'm gonna do yet. [thumbsup]
;D ;D ;D [evil]
(http://www.thebookgap.com/covers/Oxford%20Dictionary.jpg)
Dood gimmee a break, I'm from Texas.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll161/porschaholic/smileys/mad2.gif)
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 17, 2009, 10:47:13 AM
Dood gimmee a break, I'm from Texas.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll161/porschaholic/smileys/mad2.gif)
i'm just raggin on you.. the "i'm gonna leave it that way just to piss you off" got me pain from a belly laugh... [laugh]
Quote from: Fat Freddy Freak on June 17, 2009, 11:20:00 AM
i'm just raggin on you.. the "i'm gonna leave it that way just to piss you off" got me pain from a belly laugh... [laugh]
[thumbsup]
Quote from: Ducaholic on June 17, 2009, 10:47:13 AM
Dood gimmee a break, I'm from Texas.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll161/porschaholic/smileys/mad2.gif)
psssssttttttt
FireFox, built in spell checker
Quote from: Bigbore4 on June 17, 2009, 03:04:36 PM
psssssttttttt
FireFox, built in spell checker
advice and advise are both words, spell checker would not catch that. just incorrect application.
"Give me some advice."
"He asked me to advise on this project."
etc
Quote from: Fat Freddy Freak on June 17, 2009, 04:01:12 PM
advice and advise are both words, spell checker would not catch that. just incorrect application.
"Give me some advice."
"He asked me to advise on this project."
etc
Is the following sentence correct ?
"He asked me for advice on this project" ???
Quote from: ab on June 17, 2009, 04:25:36 PM
Is the following sentence correct ?
"He asked me for advice on this project" ???
yup
advice = noun
advise = verb
Quote from: Fat Freddy Freak on June 17, 2009, 04:01:12 PM
advice and advise are both words, spell checker would not catch that. just incorrect application.
"Give me some advice."
"He asked me to advise on this project."
etc
I no, but I am a week man and it was a week moment. [evil]
Quote from: Bigbore4 on June 17, 2009, 07:48:16 PM
I no, but I am a week man and it was a week moment. [evil]
;D
Having been through this myself 500 times, I have a few thoughts. Although it's never worked for me, is there anything you can do to improve your existing situation? Don't know if it's realistic but slowing down a bit and maybe not beating the flat rate on each job and taking a paycheck hit for the sake of peace of mind? As already mentioned, education REALLY helps. Does your company have any kind of program to pay for classes that are job related and could get you moving careerwise? Night classes of course cut into your family time, but sometimes we just have to do what we have to do.
On the other hand, I have a good friend who owns a welding/fabrication shop and he is doing great, makes a lot more $$ than I do and is very happy and so is his family, and he has no education after high school.
The main thing is that there IS a solution to this and don't accept the way things are. What's worked for me in the past is to set a deadline/goal that to pick a number say by 1 August you will either have a new and better job or have a working plan in progress to get your career on a different and better tack.
While checking out the two books that drjones suggested earlier I ran acrost (obligatory mispelling) the follow quote from Robert Heinlein:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
Another comment. Here in NV which I think is not quite as backward as TX but may be close the state employment office will set people up with a comprehensive aptitude test given at the local university. I took one years ago and it was very interesting. I recall that the end result was a recommendation that I become an attorney, which I didn't pursue. However, YMMV and if Texas has a similar program at might provide some new ideas.
those stupid aptitude tests suck.
last time I took one it told me I would be best suited as a longshoreman [laugh] [laugh]
Quote from: acalles on June 19, 2009, 08:36:00 AM
those stupid aptitude tests suck.
last time I took one it told me I would be best suited as a longshoreman [laugh] [laugh]
better than being a shortshoreman
Quote from: acalles on June 19, 2009, 08:36:00 AM
those stupid aptitude tests suck.
last time I took one it told me I would be best suited as a longshoreman [laugh] [laugh]
they make more than teamsters... ;D
The top two choices from my aptitude test were minister and pilot. I am neither Christian nor religious plus I am afraid of heights and hate uniforms.
My assessment said I should be either an executioner or a HAZMAT technician.