Stuck at a crossroad

[Stattic]

So some of you may know that as of the 20th of january, university offers have come through. ive been offered a position doing a bachelor of the arts at deakin but ive turned it down... i dont want to do that kind of stuff anymore... i know in my heart im not going to be happy with teaching, 5 years at uni and $15 000 in hecs fees for something i wont like doing! i dont even want to try it out for a year because thats still a couple of thousand dollars and a whole year wasted.

i work in a pizza shop and i love to cook.
i also love cars.
i dont want to work in a restaurant because itll be too hectic and i dont like the hours, so cars it is!

aside from being a panel beater or mechanic (the pay just isnt right) what kind of jobs are their in the automotive business? i need some real suggestions of what kind of jobs i can aim for and if possible what i need to do to get there.
i would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me and i will seriously consider any reasonable suggestion.

thanks in advance
stattic :

[86XFFairmont]

detailer, auto electrician, trye fitter, wheel aligner, tow bar fitter, LPG fitter window tinter , auto glazier, auto parts sales person, audio installer, trimmer (interior, seats etc)
parts picker at a wrecking yard.

When i think of more ill add to it but there basic ones i know of that dont need much apart from auto elec which im pretty sure ud be able to do a traineeship etc with, the othere are (pretty sure) learning as u go on the job.

[Stattic]

maybe i should have mentioned im looking for something thats gonna pay pretty decently... ill have a look at auto electrician, maybe i could run my own business eventually
i also had the idea of automotive engineering but i have a feeling i wouldnt be able to get into the course and it will have too much heavy maths for my liking

[Stattic]

would an auto electrician do stuff like dyno tuning?

[86XFFairmont]

Originally Posted by Stattic

maybe i should have mentioned im looking for something thats gonna pay pretty decently... ill have a look at auto electrician, maybe i could run my own business eventually
i also had the idea of automotive engineering but i have a feeling i wouldnt be able to get into the course and it will have too much heavy maths for my liking

Well trimmers and audio installers do make a fair bit , mate who runs tower audio in moorabbin and has so for a while just bought himself a ve ss and has a r33 race toy all thru hard work for same company for a few years, trimmers would as u have to think of pplz wanting to change interiors a fair bit or getting them redone as factory think how many ciggi burns could make u money for someone who wants to replace a seat covering etc

[86XFFairmont]

Originally Posted by Stattic

would an auto electrician do stuff like dyno tuning?

Thats more towards mechanics again, auto elecs are more batteries, alternators, wiring looms etc

[Stattic]

i know a few audio installers and they make absolute dirt but then again they do work at strathfield... do you think a business that does specifically audio installation and the like would pay well and get good business? i dont know all this stuff is just too confusing its quite a headache

[86XFFairmont]

Originally Posted by Stattic

i know a few audio installers and they make absolute dirt but then again they do work at strathfield... do you think a business that does specifically audio installation and the like would pay well and get good business? i dont know all this stuff is just too confusing its quite a headache

IF they have a good major contract or a few medioka ones then yeah u can make good scratch but dont dive head first in as u would need a good understanding of electronics first

[JC]

Mechanical engineer - stuff will always need to be built. Or auto lecky if you don't like mechanical stuff.

Keep in mind, not matter what field you choose, generally the pay is not going to be good for the first 5 years or so - there are always exceptions, of course, but for that you need a vision, and a plan, and build a business that is in high demand from the get go.

If you do an apprenticeship in a trade, at the same time, try to study small business or similar at TAFE (or whatever they're called now), so that once you end your apprenticeship, you will have a good idea of what you need to get out on your own. the advantage of an apprenticeship is that you get paid to learn (albeit a pittance in the first 3 years or so), but most trades are in demand, so once you have your certificate, the chance of earning good money (especially if you are good at your trade and owrk for yourself) is pretty good. The advantage of a uni degree is the jobs that follow are usually better paying, but with the financial collapse that will take a few years to recover, you may end up with a degree that is not in demand.

I have no quals, and have been working for 22 years, but I've always earned a decent salary; nothing spectacular, but always above average (Actually, I gained my first qualification in December; a Diploma in Project Management). If I had my time again, I would have done an apprenticeship as either a mechanic, or as an electrician.

My advice is find something you like doing, and do it well; you can then diversify or change careers later - experience and skill in something will always be tranferrable. For example, one of our good system testers (I'm in IT) is an ex diesel mechanic - he just keeps digging and digging until he finds problems, and then works out what the solution should be; not too much different to diagnosing a "miss" in an engine, etc.

[fiesta8u]

auto sales man ? or open up your own small car yard ?

[Stattic]

Originally Posted by fiesta8u

auto sales man ? or open up your own small car yard ?

of course idont have actual figures to back me up but i would honestly believe that more car yards have closed in 2008 than they have in the past 10 years combined

[Stattic]

Originally Posted by JC

Mechanical engineer - stuff will always need to be built. Or auto lecky if you don't like mechanical stuff.

Keep in mind, not matter what field you choose, generally the pay is not going to be good for the first 5 years or so - there are always exceptions, of course, but for that you need a vision, and a plan, and build a business that is in high demand from the get go.

If you do an apprenticeship in a trade, at the same time, try to study small business or similar at TAFE (or whatever they're called now), so that once you end your apprenticeship, you will have a good idea of what you need to get out on your own. the advantage of an apprenticeship is that you get paid to learn (albeit a pittance in the first 3 years or so), but most trades are in demand, so once you have your certificate, the chance of earning good money (especially if you are good at your trade and owrk for yourself) is pretty good. The advantage of a uni degree is the jobs that follow are usually better paying, but with the financial collapse that will take a few years to recover, you may end up with a degree that is not in demand.

I have no quals, and have been working for 22 years, but I've always earned a decent salary; nothing spectacular, but always above average (Actually, I gained my first qualification in December; a Diploma in Project Management). If I had my time again, I would have done an apprenticeship as either a mechanic, or as an electrician.

My advice is find something you like doing, and do it well; you can then diversify or change careers later - experience and skill in something will always be tranferrable. For example, one of our good system testers (I'm in IT) is an ex diesel mechanic - he just keeps digging and digging until he finds problems, and then works out what the solution should be; not too much different to diagnosing a "miss" in an engine, etc.

i dont know enough about any of this stuff to actually figure out which field would be the best for me to start off in but i think i might go do a management or business course at tafe for next year while i search for something else to do

[SVD]

hahaha im in a similar situation, ive been offered crap all in vic but ive applied elsewhere and have been given an offer to go to tassie to do law, but i dont wanna really move, my advice, look through the net at random jobs research them see what you can do with em and give it a go, if all else fails wait till your 21 and return as a mature age student :P

[mongoloid]

any engineering field should quench your desire to create and tinker and also put you in the financial position to acquire the nice things in life in the way of cars etc.

If you have the ability to attend uni, do it. Your mind will be working many years after your body gives up.

[Buddy 1]

Are you Nuts Be a Teacher & your Major Issue will be resolved.

MONEY : Guess you could be a teacher at Uni or Tafe teaching something in the Automotive area

To put it Simply you will never get close to Earning what a Teacher does in the Automotive Industry unless you own a Very Succesful Business.

[68XTFairmont]

If ya really wanna work in Cars become a Taxi driver lmao

[falconboy]

If it ends up a toss up between something that requires and apprenticeship vs something that doesn't, do the apprenticeship one. If you end up doing the other and start earning half decent money, but decide you don't like it, you may not want to start an apprenticeship later in life. I looked into a change of career to get away from IT and bloody computers, to either a mechanic, auto elec or plumber/electrician and I could not survive on even adult apprentice wages and now at 33 finding it hard to take the step.

[Spudz27]

How bout being a bum and you can stand at the lights and wash windows, not tax to pay and you are your own boss hahahaha.

I would honestly go for the teaching mate. A mate hates teaching but he likes the pay and the time off.

[86XFFairmont]

Originally Posted by 68XTFairmont

If ya really wanna work in Cars become a Taxi driver lmao

LOL not the best thing to suggest as melb taxis drivers dont have a good rep as it is belive me.

[DBourne]

teaching = decent pay and 12 weeks holiday a year STANDARD.

win

[Sam]

Teaching + Promotions position + Independent School = 100K + 15 weeks holidays

Teaching Automotive from years 9-12 + Metal and Engineering years 11/12

[Green_Reaper]

If you don't really like maths, don't do Mechanical Engineering. I did 2 years of an Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and hated it because 8/10 subjects were maths based. Now I'm an apprentice mechanic.

[westoftown]

Life can really suck when you dont have a particular direction, but once you weather the storm, everything will start to take shape and one day you'll stumble across this thread and just chuckle to yourself.

[HLC]

i just graduated from Industrial Design at uni.

the sad part is, i dont feel like i have the drive to become a designer anymore. that came about from a lot of job hunting in the last 6 months to be pleasantly greeted with next to nothing on offer for juniours/graduates.

but ive found one job worth applying to so ill sus that out and go from there

i like you are in a position where i ended up in the auto industry too. and car design is nigh impossible to get into so im just gonna try and get a job and see where life takes me!

[AndrewR_AUII]

I'd be thinking about getting SOME form of automotive trade to start - can diversify/specialise later. Check around with TAFE in your area and find out what is available to you - but do it NOW, as you may miss this year's entry.

I recommend you try to get a job with a race team. You can start small and work your way up. There are many types of work that can be done ranging from fabrication to management. It's a great way to get a feel for the many possibilities out there.

-Lingo

[tapeworm]

Heavy vehicle mechanic. Put in the yards, be reliable and you could do well $$ wise. There is good variety, I work at a large civil construction co. and demand for skilled workers. You have to really love tinkering with stuff though or you may not like.

[Stattic]

100k? youd be very lucky to get a job in a private school that pays that amount, ive spoken to a lot of teachers in 2008 at my school (public school) and the majority of them are around 55-60k per year, the highest paid one that i spoke to was my literature teacher who was in charge of the whole schools curriculum and he was getting $75 000. the thing i really dont want to do with teaching is having to come home and correct homework, stress about correcting homework by a deadline, having annoying kids that talk all the time in class (like me)... the thing is i just dont want to, im just not interested anymore. im going to defer but i really need to think of something quicksmart so i can start work or start learning because i dont want to be a dole bludger =)


as for engineering, yes i am decent at maths but no i do not like doing it. also i dont think id be able to get into any engineering courses at uni my enter wasnt high enough and i think i would probably struggle anyway.

look im not trying to be a millionaire... i want to earn a comfortable living, i wanna be able to pay the bills and not have to budget like they recommend on a current affair, my dad used to be a panel beater and he really doesnt want me doing that and neither of my parents want me to be a mechanic. shame because those were the two jobs that i really wouldnt mind doing.

maybe ill never be able to work with cars, maybe i can do management and end up managing something to do with cars... we will see. i think for now i will try and get into management at tafe and defer uni in case i have a sudden change of heart during the year.
thanks for everyone's help and if anyone has any more ideas, keep them coming!


ps. sorry for posting in the wrong section!

[Sam]

Teachers salary starts at 52K in NSW, majority of teachers with 5-10 years experience earn 77.5K. Head teachers earn minimum 88K in NSW DET schools. Which state are you in? Private schools generally pay above award and offer additional leave/vacation time.

[Stattic]

Originally Posted by Sam

Teachers salary starts at 52K in NSW, majority of teachers with 5-10 years experience earn 77.5K. Head teachers earn minimum 88K in NSW DET schools. Which state are you in? Private schools generally pay above award and offer additional leave/vacation time.

victoria... we were the lowest paid state with reguards to teachers but i have no idea what it is now, from memory it was 68 or something that was the wage for an experienced teacher