So what do you do for a living? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

WayFast84 · 10-14-2006, 07:40 PM

Im having a problem figuring out what I want to do in life in 2 years ill be out of high school, so I figure I need to start finding out some cool jobs and get more info on them..

Untamed · 10-14-2006, 07:57 PM

I thought you were planning on a Vo Tech?

Honestly Matt, I still think your best bet is to get your 4 yr degree at an acredited college, majoring in something that has to do what your career choice, then get a job and take side courses at a local community college. The 4 yr degree will go a lot farther, and give you the best chances for higher pay, in both short and long run. It really is your best bet.

WayFast84 · 10-14-2006, 08:12 PM

i am gonna do that, but probably go to middle sex for two years then some where else, im not sure what I want to do, and I dont want to have a unstable jobs.

Im looking for a career with good benifits that make between 75-115,000 a year, Im just having the problem finding a career that intrests me, that I can make that. Id also want to know what id have to major in etc etc.

Dark_Knight7096 · 10-14-2006, 08:13 PM

+1, get a 4 yr degree

Oh, and to answer the original question, I work as a consultant for Verizon Telecommunications and I get paid an obscene amount for it and that's because of my degree. I could have still gotten the job without the degree but I'd be getting paid half of what I am now though.

Dark_Knight7096 · 10-14-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

i am gonna do that, but probably go to middle sex for two years then some where else, im not sure what I want to do, and I dont want to have a unstable jobs.

Im looking for a career with good benifits that make between 75-115,000 a year, Im just having the problem finding a career that intrests me, that I can make that. Id also want to know what id have to major in etc etc.

Seriously, you won't find it. Most jobs start around mid 30s unless you get in somewhere really good. I really don't think you're going to find much that is stable, with good benefits and pays that. I have a friend with a 2yr degree who is a plumber and makes about 45-55K.

Don't feel bad, I was the same way in highschool/college. I thought there were a lotta great jobs out there that paid well but then I got a huge dose of reality. Research the job market a little better or you are in for a disappointment man.

WayFast84 · 10-14-2006, 08:19 PM

i dont mean starting pay though im talking about towards the end or my career, I guess I just dont want to be a direct tv installer by day pizza dilvery guy by night, you know?

SpeedMetalT/A · 10-14-2006, 08:25 PM

If you were thinking of going with vo-tech its a good idea.I'm in a school to work program right now through vo-tech and I work at a buick pontiac gmc dealership.There's also schools around here that have 2 year auto programs like Brookdale.They have a few different manufacturer specific programs to choose from, Ill probably be going to the GM program next year or take classes offered through my dealership.

WayFast84 · 10-14-2006, 08:29 PM

ive talked to bonzo hansen, and hes told me that you can make real good money even at good year if you are a good tech, mechanic was my first choice, but Ive had a few people tell me to stay away from it, while i enjoy it as my hobby, i dont know if the money would be worth it..

Brando56894 · 10-14-2006, 09:16 PM

i dont do a damn thing

Bandit · 10-14-2006, 09:33 PM

Own my own business.. make money then spend it just as fast..lol

unstable bob gable · 10-14-2006, 09:37 PM

I work at NJ Transit Rail Operations with a lot of guys who got burned out working as automotive techs. My one buddy used to run a gas station/repair shop, and he tells me he has never been happier since he got rid of all the responsibilities and came to work for NJT.

jimmyboy8301 · 10-14-2006, 10:06 PM

i have my associates in criminal justice and am a state corrections officer aka cop.

bitchincamaro · 10-14-2006, 10:39 PM

i was in a body shop for two years, it was cool, but left to go back to school. i went last year full time at a community college. i took this semester off, it didn't start out that way, but came back from a long trip a few days b/f the semester and really wasn't ready for it. so i cut my losses and am now just working on a vineyard about 30 hours (pretty awesome money) a week and landscaping the rest of the time. i am not sure what i want to do yet either. i knew i wasn't ready for college right after high school. i took advantage of the time and travelled and just did whatever i wanted. i am undecided if i am going back next semester or will be getting a real job. it kind of bums me out thinking about it.

misterjuice · 10-14-2006, 10:52 PM

I also agree on getting a bachelor's degree....a lot more opportunities.

as for me. I'm a customer service team leader for Mercedes-Benz corporate office. I have a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

Slow 88 · 10-15-2006, 07:12 AM

I am a welder/fabricator but I wish I would have just went to school so I could have landed a kush kush job lol....But, don't get me wrong I make out pretty good.....

Hey, Bitchincamaro I saw you yesterday going thru Westmont rockin' the maro sounded pretty good...

Fast92RS · 10-15-2006, 08:23 AM

I went to MCC college for the ford program then worked at a ford dealer for a couple years as a tech then I took the test for firefighter. Got the job and was the best decision I ever made.

nj85z28 · 10-15-2006, 08:31 AM

Electrician....it pays ok

johnjzjz · 10-15-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

ive talked to bonzo hansen, and hes told me that you can make real good money even at good year if you are a good tech, mechanic was my first choice, but Ive had a few people tell me to stay away from it, while i enjoy it as my hobby, i don't know if the money would be worth it..

garage mechanic is a job some make 100 thousand plus all the Bennie's --- but from 20 to 45 years old is all most can take --- climing around on cold floors and twisting you body in funny shapes is not fun after 40 not to mention being dirty and smelly every day --- great to know as a hobby for stuff you want to own -- now look at real jobs ---- jz

BonzoHansen · 10-15-2006, 08:52 AM

Remember this: No job is stable.

Ian · 10-15-2006, 08:55 AM

I'm an auto tech at a chrysler/jeep dealership. I guess its an okay job. I dont know if I want to do this for the rest of my life, but I'm kinda stuck with it. I didn't go to college, so I dont have a degree to fall back on. but I also look at it as I didn't waste huge amounts of money going to college and being bored out of my mind and not going to half the classes

. If you do end up becoming a mechanic, try as hard as you can to get into a upper end company like BMW or MB, they pay the most and 99% of the cars that go through their dealerships are very new so you wouldn't have to work on 20 year old junk like I do sometimes.

misterjuice · 10-15-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

. If you do end up becoming a mechanic, try as hard as you can to get into a upper end company like BMW or MB, they pay the most and 99% of the cars that go through their dealerships are very new so you wouldn't have to work on 20 year old junk like I do sometimes.

Good point Ian.

BonzoHansen · 10-15-2006, 09:17 AM

And WF, remember what else I told you about high paid dealer techs - they are smart, are educated in their products, and most importantly they bust their hump. When I lost my best tech to a Jeep dealer, he learned their auto trannies top to bottom - they sent him to classes on it. And since Jeeps transmissions suck, he got lots of practice and became the go-to guy for trans work. He was billing 80 hours a week in a ~40 hour work week. But he could bust it out. That is why he was my best guy too. Hustle & brains. Service writers know who makes them money too. More work in & out, they make more $$ too.

I still think if you want to work on cars, vo-tech is the way to go, then get a dealer gig and get OE training (not places like Goodyear, etc.). Cars are getting more complicated all the time. Dealers will not run out of work anytime soon.

Your HS grades are paramount now. Screwing up in HS and/or college can bite you later. You can makes career plan alterations down the road – you cannot repeat HS.

JL8Jeff · 10-15-2006, 09:20 AM

I've been database programming for 20 years if you include some of the college co-op jobs I had. I have a BS in Computer Science. I found it a challenging field that was just starting to develop when I was in high school and I still find it a challenge today because the languages/tools/date continue to change. I think I got lucky finding something I enjoy doing right out of high school. Most of my friends had no idea what they wanted to do and drifted through college. I don't mind working on my own cars, but I would never want to be a full time mechanic.

bitchincamaro · 10-15-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow 88

Hey, Bitchincamaro I saw you yesterday going thru Westmont rockin' the maro sounded pretty good...

thanks, its been my daily driver for the last week, my trucks been down since i got busted at a mobile dmv. i got screwed.

79CamaroDiva · 10-15-2006, 12:10 PM

if i could re start college with what i know now, i would get a degree in business. I had no idea how many doors that opened to people until i was about 3 years into school. One of my best friends got into Picatinny Arsenal with his bachelors, they then proceeded to pay for his double masters completely, on top of his already rediculous salary. Government jobs are great ways to start out of college, and a lot of the good paying ones require a business degree. It sounds boring, but its a big pay off.