Reply #4: neat subject [View All]

I like working with my hands. I used to work in auto body shops many years ago, like 35 or so.

A good collision man has to be smart, experienced, organized and a creative problem solver because each hit is different.

I got out because I didn't have what it took to work in such a dirty unhealthy, atmosphere, mostly because I wasn't smart enough or had enough drive to do the BULL WORK that required the problem solving abilities of a bona fide engineer - perhaps more so?

Physically demanding, mentally demanding, dirty exhausting, unhealthy work. most I left behind were full blown wage slaves. They got into it as kids because they liked cars, and then at 25 they discover they have a mortgage and three kids and are earning the only living they know to support that lifestyle, which is nothing more than the American Dream we all aspire to. their plight reminded me of the enchanted island in Pinocchio.

Secondly, a century ago, the terms "engineer" and "mechanic" were interchangeable and both were terms of respect. I spent the body of my professional working life as a CNC Engineer, which combines hand work and cerebral work in equal measures. But, I was turning in to a cube rat wage slave and got laid off three months ago.

Kids getting into trades these days are playing it smart, in terms of supply and demand. Society still needs good hands that do THE ACTUAL WORK.

Getting an electrician license today seems like a pretty smart career move, for example.

-90% Jimmy