Am I too late?
 

I'm a senior in high school, and I've never really been sure of what I want to do. But now I'm pretty sure that I want to be a mechanic, because I love working with my hands, I don't want to work in an office all day, and I love fixing things, and I've recently had the chance to work with some cars and I really liked it. Now my question is, am I too late to get into this field? I'm not commited to a college yet, but cost is a big factor, and I would like it to be somewhere on the southern east coast. Any advice?

You're in high school, it's not too late for anything. Find a reputable training school and go for it. Of course, you should figure out what kind of mechanic you'd like to be. Cars, big rigs, heavy equipment, etc. There are lots of choices out there. I know for a fact there is strong demand within the construction equipment industry for quality mechanics as I worked at Ingersoll Rand for a number of years. This route would mean big company benefits, room for advancement should you want to move on to something else in the future, opportunity to continue your education, etc.

Good luck and remember that it's not too late to do something until you're dead.

You seriously just got the best advice that you're gonna get...right there, from onetime2.

It's never too late to do anything, that you really want to do. You're still in high school, for crying out loud. No one expects you to know what you want to do with your life. Hell, I'm almost 42 years old...I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Experiment. Try different things out. Experience...life. You'll never regret it.

It's usually never too late to make a career choice as long as you're willing to put in the time learning how to do it.


Bill's right. I've had a couple dozen fairly different jobs and only in the last 5 years or so had any idea of what I wanted to do. Fortunately, I've found a job I'm happy with and thankfully, good at.

I would suggest going into the Air Force, Fix kick ass planes!

That's not a bad idea. I was in the AF for 8 years, and wouldn't trade that experience for the world. You'll see and do things that most people won't get to their whole lives. And the training is something that is unequalled. Don't want to work on planes? They have cars, trucks, heavy equipment...anything you can imagine is painted AF Blue.

*disclaimer* I am not now, nor have I ever been, a recruiter for the United States Air Force. :D

its never to late. just dont get stuck with the regret of not trying.

The only person who can determine when you'll throw in the towel is, well- you :-) So keep that in mind and enjoy :-) I myself did quite bad in high-school (barely managed to get into college), but rather than seeing the mistakes of my past, I'm looking to the future :-) Good luck!

Wow, thanks a lot for all the advice, that really makes me feel better. I think I'll start looking into schools. Thanks!

I agree with the above posts that the Air Force is a good idea. The schooling is really good and, if you luck out and get to be a jet aircraft mechanic, you can make some serious dough when you leave. You also rarely get shot at in the Air Force.

Consider, though, that the only branch that will guarantee your position is the Army. There's a much higher chance of getting shout at, but there's also a much higher chance of getting the job you want.

Work at a mechanic's shop first, talk to the guys actually doing it. Then decide what type of mechanic you want to be, if at all. Take a good year and work at a couple of places if you have to.