career decision..

Topic: career decision.. (Read 1790 times) previous topic - next topic

career decision..

December 30, 2009, 01:01:12 PM

So, back in Jan. 2009, the shop my wife and I worked for went out of business.(auto supplier) Now we find out that they didn't close, but moved to Brazil and England, long story short, we are eligible for a govt. program that would pay for two years of school.

I have been thinking of getting an associates degree in autobody, I could go part time, being as I work full time, as long as I am done in three years or less.

So my question is, what do you think about the autobody business? I have always been interested in body work, and painting, and have painted a few cars, but never had any formal training. Thanks for your input.:D

career decision..

Reply #1 – December 30, 2009, 01:05:25 PM

Well, I think it's a field that will never die away, at least not completely.

I say go for it. You're into cars, so you'd be working with something you like to do, as well as being able to apply that knowledge to your own stuff, and the perks that come with it.

career decision..

Reply #2 – December 30, 2009, 01:36:48 PM

Go for it man, I always wanted to go back to school but alas cannot afford it. Do it!

career decision..

Reply #3 – December 30, 2009, 02:33:19 PM

I was in the auto body field for a short time right out of school, and your right I don't see that field ever going away. My problem was that when I took something I loved as a hobby and turned it into a job I didn't enjoy it anymore. The pay scale seemed like it would vary dramatically from place to place. Beings that there is only so much time alotted for certain repairs and whatever the estimated time for that job was, that is what you get paid for. In other words if the job is written out to take 3 hours to fix a door and it takes you 5 hours you only get paid for the 3 hours. But it can work to your advantage also, like if it only took you 2 hours to fix that door you would still get paid for the 3 hour estimate. Make sense? I hope this helps.

career decision..

Reply #4 – December 30, 2009, 05:21:22 PM

I think it's good if you can get the work. Not knowing how many are in your area, I's hard to say if it's worth it. Insurance jobs are the bread and butter in that business. I also thought about doing the same thing. More in the custom car shop area though, and classic restos.

career decision..

Reply #5 – December 30, 2009, 08:45:30 PM

that grant is called "TRA" i think and i applied for it. (training re-adjustment act). If your job loss is a direct result (and sometimes indirect) of outsourcing, you are qualified.
then i found out that you will get the states max unemployment benefits every week (320 in wv) as long as you are enrolled full time at an "sacs or cosacs" college. I wanted to get my engineering degree and decided that if i moved forward with this program, i would loose the house and not make any of my bills. 650/mo on the house, two growing boys need food, et all the other bills like phone / electric and fuel for cars,,insurance ect ect.

The plan is designed to fail,,promotes outsourcing. In your state, it must be different or your living expenses must be way lower than ours.

The plan is designed around certain fields that the state feels is in a recession. Such being that if you were to use TRA to get an autobody degree, the state must have that field listed as an approved used of said funds.

They dont let you decide, you must pick from a list. I was told that if i wanted to become a NURSE,, that i would recieve much more benefits than just unemployment. I highly doubt your state (or any state) will used federal funds in TRA to train an already top heavy field.

maybe im wrong, i am only going off of two year old information but from what i do know about state and fed stuff, its likely things are still the same or have been cut.

career decision..

Reply #6 – December 30, 2009, 10:46:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. We don't have to go off a list, we just have to decide what we would like to do, the exception is, you cannot choose the field you were in when you lost your job. (in my case, diesetter)
I'm not eligible for the unemployment part, because I already had a job, when we were notified of our eligible for this program.

I am able to apply for the wage reajustment part, they will pay you 50% of the difference between what you were making, and your new wage, up to $12,000.

It's looking like I won't start school until the spring semester. I have enrolled at Mott community college, took the placement exam, and the orientation. Just have to do some "homework" that the tra guy wants.(calling, or talking to 5 people in the field you're interested in).

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I also thought about doing the same thing. More in the custom car shop area though, and classic restos.

After I complete the autobody degree, there is two other courses at the school available, that teaches custom painting, and the other metal fabrication, using english wheels and pleanishing (sp?) hammers.:burnout: In the autobody course, they also teach various welding techniqes.

I am definetly leaning towards this, as I need some job that pays more, than what I have now. The wife is going for an accounting degree, under the same program.

I am just wondering if having an associates degree, would help get employment in this field. I know the training is good to have. Thanks for all the comments. :D

career decision..

Reply #7 – December 31, 2009, 01:03:57 AM

associates is just about all anyone needs. gives you leverage on wage, gives them leverage on wage as well. too much paper gives you a lot of leverage and most HR processes warrant that you can over qualify for a position very easily.

Get your time in your past working conditions converted into credits as well, that will help reduce the amount of time in class, quicken the ultimate goal of getting the paper.

paper means nothing when you have it,,,means a lot when you dont.

OUr companies hiring policy leans more heavily on being quized and questioned by your potential peers, We'd rather have someone who knows something for real vs what they may have passed on exams. Besides, most of us have been doing this stuff for decades already.

you sound like the two of you have a good path laid out for the future, should be pulling down 6 figures combined here short order.

career decision..

Reply #8 – December 31, 2009, 04:58:29 AM

Whats funny about this topic is I am debating my career plans.

I planned on school then a business job, tech school later, eventually open my own shop. Now I think I am going to pursue a career as a State Trooper.

I say go for it. Life only gives you so many chances, so might as well take them and see where you go.

career decision..

Reply #9 – December 31, 2009, 05:48:44 AM

If I were to take a trade right now it'd be heavy equipment or bus & truck mechanic. There are ALWAYS jobs in that field posted locally, and they seem to pay very well (anywhere from $20-$30/hr).

I'm thinking "career change" myself, but it's got nothing to do with cars...

career decision..

Reply #10 – December 31, 2009, 06:03:22 AM

the highest paid jobs of the future are the ones directly involving labor. no one wants to labor anymore.

career decision..

Reply #11 – December 31, 2009, 07:08:00 AM

Thanks everyone. It's a little scary, going back to school after 32 years...lol.
Lol, yea, no one wants to "labor" anymore, they all want to start out as the boss, always was hard to find employees in the shop, that actually wanted to work for what they get.

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OUr companies hiring policy leans more heavily on being quized and questioned by your potential peers, We'd rather have someone who knows something for real vs what they may have passed on exams. Besides, most of us have been doing this stuff for decades already.

Used to work for a company that was like that. The more you knew, the more you were paid. I always thought that's how it should be. :D

career decision..

Reply #12 – December 31, 2009, 01:27:45 PM

Quote from: cougarman;304595

Used to work for a company that was like that. The more you knew, the more you were paid. I always thought that's how it should be. :D

My place of employment might wise up one day and realize promotions are safer than Joe Blow off the street for management/supervisor jobs. But what do I know, Ive only watched all the people who worked their way up stay and the people that are hired in walk and leave us high and dry. All the time we wasted on training them one what people in the company knew, just to repeat over and over.

Maybe after the one they just hired walks on them they might get the hint.

career decision..

Reply #13 – December 31, 2009, 11:01:05 PM

Quote from: T-BirdX3;304434

I was in the auto body field for a short time right out of school, and your right I don't see that field ever going away. My problem was that when I took something I loved as a hobby and turned it into a job I didn't enjoy it anymore.

I agree 100%. Some guys can turn wrenches or squirt paint for someone else 40 hours a week, then come home, do the same on their own cars and still enjoy it. I think that's pretty rare though. It's tough to make your hobby the same as your job. Where's the relaxation or stress relief? I worked at a body shop for a few years, then got a job in a totally unrelated field and, 30 years later, I still enjoy doing my own paint jobs. I am not trying to talk anyone out of anything, just sharing my experience. Disclaimer, "Your mileage may vary."

career decision..

Reply #14 – December 31, 2009, 11:50:33 PM

Machine tool technology, they're always hiring as well. More thinking, but less physical labor. I got an Autobody degree and ended up not using it. Working in a machine shop instead. Not trying to disuade ya from doing it, but as was said, doing what you like to do becomes work, and getting burnt out on it can suffer both your job and your hobby. Also, FWIW, shops up here would rather hire ya out of high school and train ya themselves, which means having the degree doesn't necessarily mean anything. Plus you save a ton of money not spent on school.