Any Engineers In The House?

[theoriginator]

I made up my mind that I'm going for an engineering degree. I'm almost 23 years old and I'm barley making $45,000 a year painting cars working like an animal. I can't believe I've spent 5 years of my life working in and around body shops, what a joke. "You can make $100,000 a year or better if you get the right helpler!" That's what they told me, conveniently not mentioning it's like trying to line up the planets, it might happen once every few decades. Paint fumes, sanding off your fingerprints, inconsistent work, thousands of $ in tools, managers that don't have a clue, body shops on every corner, what was I thinking? I just would like some advice and information on what's the best field on engineering, the ups and downs? I would like to design and invent things on my own as well, I looked at mechanical, chemical, and materials. Leaning towards mechanical, but materials and chemical looks like they're going to be big in the future. What do yall think?

[BlindSideCustoms]

its a good profession certainly, ive been trying to figure out what to go to school for for a fallback for if or when i decide i dont want to run my own shop anymore.

[Kiddi]

Hello I'am in almost the same situation as you... I'am taking few math classes before I sign up...

I'm considering Mechatronics Engineering!

It would be great to get opinions from some that have done it..

KR

[brn agn]

I have a degree in Mechanical Engineer. The good thing about mechanical is that it can apply to a wide range of jobs; design, manufacturing, application, quality, etc...

What are you interested in? Buildings, bridges, hydraulics, electronics, mechanical devices, chemical reactions, etc...? Once you figure out what interests you the most, deciding on the type of engineering degree should be relatively easy.

Personally, I have no regrets with getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering. When I was in high school, I was interested in taking motorcycles apart, seeing how a 2 stroke engine works, building go-karts, fixing tractors, etc... My Dad is a mechanic and he warned me about following in his footsteps due to the toll it takes on your body. So, I decided to pursue an Engineering degree. I had aspirations to become a Design Engineer, but I ended up in manufacturing.

Hope that helps.

[Rolling_Thunder]

I am currently double majoring for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering degrees... alot of work but I think it would be a good career to get into. --- Good luck with all your choices

[LateNight72]

I'm attending UCF for Mechanical Engineering...

[jpdeuce]

I've worked in a chemical plant for almost 11 years. Most of the engineers like their job but almost all of them we have relocated to this area from somewhere else. I would suggest thinking about where you want to live when making this decision. Mechanical engineers definetly have more options for the type of job they wil be doing. Chemical engineers mainly have chemical plants.

So if you don't want to relocate and there are no chemical plants in your immediate area then you would have to weigh that in.

[qwik1320]

What do you like to do? What would your ideal job be?

[LateNight72]

I'll add in my $0.02.

Mechanical Engineers will always be needed. They are the BFH of engineers, they can work on a broad spectrum of problems, so demand will always be there. Most other types are fairly specific, if their specialty dries up, you'll have to relearn how to do something else.

Also keep in mind the mean salary for an Engineer is right around what you are making now. I've got a friend who is a Senior Project Engineer for NASA, but he is only making $45k/year.

[Happyfunballs]

I graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree 10 years ago and started at $47,500 as a base. Mechanicals are the most diverse, but do tend to be paid only average. I considered being a nuke engineer for a semester, but that narrowed the job opportunities and locations. Good luck.

[DLinson]

I too am a Mechanical Engineer. They do have the most options as far as employment but do get paid less than many other engineers. I believe petroleum and chemical engeers make more. I have a sister-in-law who is a mechanical engineer but is a line supervisor at Kraft food and her husband is a Mining engineer working for a quarry. He mentioned that mining engineers are actually one of the higher paid engineers, that's one reason why he went into that field.

As a mechanical engineer I do many things. At our company engineers are in charge of a product from conception through its design, implementation into production, on going factory and field support for the life of a product.

I design a lot of equipment including machined parts, castings, plastic injection molded parts, sheetmetal parts, etc. I also have to design factory fixtures required to manufacture the parts. Right now I have four different projects I am working on keeping me busy and its fun.

I also get to do a special side project for the owner of the company, I designed a fuel injection intake manifold and system for a Rolls Royce Meteor 27 liter tank engine. Another engineer and I are also designing a car from scratch to put the engine in. It will be a 30's era style grand prix car.

Many of the engineers at our work do end up being managers as well. Our Executive VP is a EE, our VP of Engineering Research is an EE, our VP of Purchasing is an EE, about 10 other engineers have other managment duties. I have 7 guys reporting to me since I manage our prototype machine shop.

A friend that I went to school with, also an ME, came to work for us as a Facility manager in charge of all building projects, building maintinence, etc.

Another Mechanical Engineer I went to school with ended up starting his own company making Camaro perfoamance part, that would be Kyle Tucker from Detroit Speed. His wife is also a Mechanical Engineer.

We went to the University of Missouri at Rolla. It was a good school and didn't cost much for in-state students. Math is important. If you have a community college near you that will transfere the math and some other class credits to your engineering school of choice, I'd suggest that. The class sizes tend to be smaller and the teachers are not too high brow. I would aslo take some of your liturature classes and other under graduate classes that don't matter, from the community college. Who needs that silly stuff. Spelling, sentence structure, BAH!! Who needs it. Plus you don't have to spend the big university dollars on those classes. Also do more than just school if you do this. Join a school club like the Formula SAE or ASME or something else like that. And try to do a coop engineering term if possible. When I enterviewed for a job, they asked me about the Formula SAE and coop experience first. Everyone takes basically the same classes. If you keep up a decent GPA it is the extras that they want to see. When we higher coops at our work, this is what we look for. We don't hire engineers right out of school often, I was one of only three ever to be hired right out of college. Two of us were coops. Kyle cooped with GM three times and then he hired on full time there after school.

Good Luck.

Dennis

[theoriginator]

I would like to design different parts for cars and or patent various items, to have them mass produced, so I can sell them over the internet and get rich quick.

[DLinson]

Good luck with that. Patents are not easy to get. I have one patent and it took about two years to issue. I aslo applied for another one about four years ago and this past fall it was not allowed due to some prior art that really didn't have any thing in common with our product.

You will need to study up on patent law or get a patent lawyer to help you out.

If you do get a patent, you still have to produce a product. If it is a casting or a plastic injection molded part, it is anywhere from a 6 week to 18 week lead time from the time you give them a drawing and model to the time you get first run parts. Aluminum die casting molds for a part the size of a brake caliper could cost about $70,000. A plastic part the same size would cost about $25,000 or higher and take 12 weeks. You could try to get China to make the parts cheaper but that will cost you in other ways.

You will also have to worry about the marketing, sales, logistics, etc. Just like in the body shop world, you need to have good employees to help you out. Big companies can absorb a few slackers, small companies can't.

I have several friends in the Autobody field and the hard working shops are doing great and the slackers are just barely making it or pissing away thier profit instead of investing it back into the business. One friend's dad owns a shop and she is the shop office manager. Another friend is the shop foreman. That shop is growing and expanding. They have had to be tough and can a few slackers but the shop is still growing. Another old friend owns his own shop and can't keep and employee and has a terrible reputation.

You would probably be better off getting the degree and working for a larger company learning as much from them as possible and then start something on the side.

Dennis

[CarlC]

Dennis, you hit the nail on the head about writing skills. I was fortunate enough to have a senior design class that included mandatory writing classes and evaluations. These writing skills have paid for themselves many times over.

People skills also pay off. There is nothing that turns off managers and customers faster than a person without the ability to both listen and have a great non-technical conversation. Rule of thumb: 10% of your work difficulties are technical, 90% people.

I too joined clubs, and eventually led the schools ASCE chapter and concrete canoe construction. It helps immensely to have these timeless bonds to the people that you will interview with and work for. It is nostalgic for many of them as well, and it never hurts to pluck those strings.

Choose a major that fits your goals, but don't be surprised if you end up in a totally different field. My major was CE with an emphasis on dam design. I ended up in the mechanical field, but fortunately engineering basics are the same for most every field (mechanical, civil, manufacturing, etc.)

[dipren443]

I'm attending UCF for Mechanical Engineering...

I am an alum of the same program. Where are you at in your degree?

Nick

[bigvegan]

As somebody who got a law degree hoping for the big bucks, and then found himself not only disliking the practice of law, but also not making all that much money, I'd have to encourage you to do what you love, and get good at it.

The top people in any field make a fair amount of money, and even if you don't, getting to do what you love every day is something most people would envy.

My little brother has wanted to build robots since he was a kid. Got his degree in ME, and now he's doing exactly that, and spending his spare time helping a high-school team build robots. He's happy as a clam and making a decent income.

If you want to invent things, an ME degree would be HUGELY helpful. If you want to design things, then a degree in industrial design would be the way to go.

The other thing I can tell you is that trying to get rich quick is the surest ticket to a life of misery you can find (well, short of an addiction to heroin or crystal meth).

Figure out what you want to spend your days doing (that isn't being a race car driver or having sex with supermodels), and get the skills or education that will allow you to do that. Then buy a lotto ticket once a week if you can't get past the urge to get rich quick.

Or just go do it and get the help you need as you need it. For instance, if you want to get rich making parts and selling them over the internet, how about working on a non-Corvette based Independent Rear Suspension system that installs fairly easily into '67-'69 Camaros. Think BMW/Lexus/Lincoln LS, etc., only built for performance and made in America. As pro-touring continues to get into the mainstream, people are going to want more IRS options, and at $5k a pop, that adds up quick.

[LateNight72]

I am an alum of the same program. Where are you at in your degree?

Nick Pretty cool...

I'm only in my 2nd Semester. (Still a Freshman)

[LateNight72]

dup

[dhutton]

As an electrical engineer I have these comments:

You need good to excellent math skills to study engineering or you will struggle and hate every minute. There is no way around it.

Electrical engineering jobs are being exported to China and India at an alarming rate. My employer now has all of their software written in India by another company. R&D sites are being opened and expanded in India and China. I'm not sure if this applies to mechanical engineering or not. The only electrical engineering jobs that I think will be totally exempt from this are jobs in the defense industry. I'm not trying to initiate a political discussion here, I just want you to be aware that there is pressure on some engineering career opportunities in this country.

That being said engineering is a great career that I have enjoyed for the past 28 years and would not do much, if anything, anything different if I was starting out again.

Don

[theoriginator]

Which field of engineering pulls the most weight? I've heard of the PE license, is that like the ASE certified of engineering? Do civil engineers make big money working on construction projects and stuff like that? What about medical engineering? My main goal is to get paid, I want a minimum $100,000 a year after a few years. I like painting cars no doubt, but when you drive to work everyday and spend more on gas than your check is worth, it becomes depressing real quick. My biggest fear is investing my time and energy working towards something that won't work out, I don't want to be one of those that wears a suit and tie to work and goes to Starbucks, but only makes $40,000 a year with a four year degree.

[brn agn]

I want a minimum $100,000 a year after a few years.

You may want to think about a different field. I've been working as an ME for 8 years and I make no where close to 100K. However, my wife and I live well below our means and we are very comfortable financially. Of course, this could lead to a completely different post.

My point is that there are probably few Engineers making 100K/year after a couple of years. Below is a link to my alma mater (hey DLinson!) with a list of starting salaries for Engineers:

http://career.mst.edu/salaryhiring/salary.html

[qwik1320]

Ahh, to be young again... bigvegan has the right message although you might not want to hear it. Do what you love and the money will follow. I know it's tough to hear, but money isn't everything.

Back when I was in school the top engineers went into Aerospace, Architectural and Electrical. I work with a few Biomedical Engineers and they do pretty well. If you want big money quick get your degree and work overseas in Saudi Arabia.

Are you going to college now? For the cash you want you're going to need the grades, brains and cash to get into a school with a well known Engineering program.

[Slow Ride]

I've been an engineer for almost 10 years now(MSOE'98) I also have my PE license. I probably won't ever make 100K. My designers with 2 year degrees make more than I do because they get paid overtime. For example, one of my senior designers averaged about 45 hours per week and made close to 70K, another averaged close to 50/wk and made over 80K. I still make low 60's and work around 50hrs/wk. If your wife has good health insurance then working through a contract agency would be even more lucrative. I live in central Wisconsin where the cost of living is pretty low, we pay contract CATIA V5 designers minimum $35/hr and have paid $50+/hr in the past for very qualified people. They get to do all of the fun design stuff anyways. I come up with ideas and check their work. Most of the time I am in meetings or doing paperwork. Also remember how much a quality eduaction costs, hell I still owe $10K for school.

Also remember that in most manufacturing settings everyone hates engineering.

[theoriginator]

I'm taking some college math classes right now refreshing my brain so hopefully I can be finished in a couple years, or that was the plan. But from what I'm hearing Engineers don't make all that much considering the amount of work it takes to get the degree and the cost of the education. Maybe I should look at Finance instead, or maybe computer aided design, and make some engineering friends, as I already know how to weld and do basic mechanical work and how to navigate the auto industry pretty well. I'm dissapointed, I thought they made much more on average.I guess what I really want to know is where's the ****ing money?

[qwik1320]

Aww hell, I just noticed you live in Texas. Find the nearest oil tycoon's ugly daughter and marry her ass!

[bigvegan]

"Where's the ****ing money?"

Finance, especially hedge funds, derivatives, and complex arbitrage. If you got a BA from an excellent school with a double major in math or statistics and economics, and then got an MBA in finance and/or went to work for a major investment banking firm as an associate, you'd make some serious coin before too long. You'd be bored as hell (unless you love math and economics, in which case it would be sweet), and you'd probably never leave the office, but that would be the way to generate a top income.

Or sales. You don't need a degree to become a stockbroker, and if you can master cold-calling, you can make 6 figures in a couple of years.

Or, like I said before, figure out what you love to do the most, get the education and skills to do it well, and let the money take care of itself.

There are lots of rich people out there that are divorced, depressed, and miserable by the time they turn 50. Or even well before that, just look how crazy money and fame has made the young Hollywood crowd lately. (See e.g. Brad Renfro (R.I.P.), Heath Ledger (R.I.P.), Brittany (5150'd a matter of days ago), Owen Wilson (suicide attempt), etc., etc.) These are people with all the money and resources in the world, and they still can't get it together.

There are far fewer people that do what they love every day in the same situation, and most of them aren't starving.

Money is only a means to an end. If you know what your goals and ends are, and can achieve them without spending a lot of time doing things you don't like, then don't waste your time.

That said, an education is usually helpful, so if you know what you want to study, go for it!

If I could go back to undergrad again and do it over, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Seriously, Texas coeds? I'm tempted to take out some more loans and go to school with you.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/06hotcheerleaders-1.jpg

[WS6]

I'm taking some college math classes right now refreshing my brain so hopefully I can be finished in a couple years, or that was the plan. But from what I'm hearing Engineers don't make all that much considering the amount of work it takes to get the degree and the cost of the education. Maybe I should look at Finance instead, or maybe computer aided design, and make some engineering friends, as I already know how to weld and do basic mechanical work and how to navagate the auto industry pretty well. I'm dissapointed, I thought they made much more on average.I guess what I really want to know is where's the ****ing money?

Engineering isn't for you, sorry. Not a single one of us in engineering school are here because we want to be rich. You want a business degree if all you care about is money. Sure, you can make a great deal with an engineering degree, but you're going to work for it. I think you also either need to move to a place with a lower cost of living or you need to realize just how far you can go making $70k a year. Get educated in something no matter what you do. Good luck.

[megaladon6]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/06hotcheerleaders-1.jpg[/quote]

i knew i should have gone to school!!!

[brn agn]

I have to agree with bigvegan here. If you are only looking for a career based on money, I think you will end up dissapointed. My experience is that the more money you make, the more you will spend and the more you focus on money the more unsatisfied you will be. That's just my humble opinion. If someone who is wealthy disagrees, please speak up.

[RSX302]

My 2 Pennies...
I apologize in advance if I offend anyone, not my intention.

I've been in a mechanical industry for 20yrs and have worked with many different types of engineers. I would like to start in saying that I do not have an engineering degree, but sometime I think about getting one or wish I had done it earlier in life.

This is where I apologize..

I see fresh engineers out of school think that they should be making big money right away. The problem is everyone needs to go thru the same years of real world experience to know what they are going to engineer or re-engineer. I can't count how many times I've corrected designs or field work due to lack of fully understanding the process. It may work on paper,but.....

I have a hard time in my field because the lack of a degree. I feel I don't get the respect I should. Basically I'll correct what the engineers do and let them take the credit. They all know where to come for answers but the company won't give my an engineering title. So they call me something else....I still make 100K a year...

Anyway...go to school, get a degree and from there work your butt off. I you get into the trade you wish and put many year of real world experience in, you will make more then me...

and yes I wish I knew how to write and talk better...:geek:

Good Luck....

[RSX302]

I have to agree with bigvegan here. If you are only looking for a career based on money, I think you will end up dissapointed. My experience is that the more money you make, the more you will spend and the more you focus on money the more unsatisfied you will be. That's just my humble opinion. If someone who is wealthy disagrees, please speak up.

The problem is I live in California !!!

Just because I make 100K, I still live paycheck to paycheck...

I live middle class and I'm fortunate enough to have a very nice 68 Camaro. I don't consider myself wealthy by a long shot...

Yes..the more money you make the more stress and greef you will have....

[dipren443]

I've been an engineer for almost 10 years now(MSOE'98) I also have my PE license. I probably won't ever make 100K. My designers with 2 year degrees make more than I do because they get paid overtime. For example, one of my senior designers averaged about 45 hours per week and made close to 70K, another averaged close to 50/wk and made over 80K. I still make low 60's and work around 50hrs/wk. If your wife has good health insurance then working through a contract agency would be even more lucrative. I live in central Wisconsin where the cost of living is pretty low, we pay contract CATIA V5 designers minimum $35/hr and have paid $50+/hr in the past for very qualified people. They get to do all of the fun design stuff anyways. I come up with ideas and check their work. Most of the time I am in meetings or doing paperwork. Also remember how much a quality eduaction costs, hell I still owe $10K for school.

Also remember that in most manufacturing settings everyone hates engineering.

This is probably the biggest disappointment I have with my "Engineering" position. I know I am not the only engineer mired in paperwork and bureaucratic BS. I have many friends working for Lockheed Martin and have the same complaint.


There is one other way to make decent coin with a basic Mechanical Engineering degree. Most of our field service personnel make very close to six figures, but spend little time at home. It is a huge tradeoff and it is not for everyone, however.

[Project69]

I was going to go to college right out of high school and get a degree in engineering, but i realized that it wasnt worth the time and money. 4 years to get a degree and wind up in the same situation i was right after high school, or making $200k in the same 4 years working where i am now... you do the math. 50k a year without a college education is pretty damn good if you ask me, i can retire at 38 with 75% of my salary at the time. Great to get an early start.

[bochnak]

I have a degree in Aerospace engineering. Never touched a plane/spacecraft in my life. I ended up working as a “Mechanical/Design engineer” in the transit industry. You mentioned you want to work on cars? I think every engineer wants that rock star job. Very unlikely you will get that, and depends where you want to live.

I do like my line of work. The benefits, pay, and hours are good. I don’t think my salary will ever hit 100k, especially working at the same company. I will probably have to jump ship a few times. I’m currently taking some business management classes for a certificate, and plan on going for my MBA soon.

BTW, I started off at a community college for 3 years, then transferred to U of I (state school) for 2.5. Sure it took 5.5 years to get my degree, but I paid about 50k for my education, which is nothing these days.

Good luck. I would recommend getting a degree of some kind.

[dharrod]

Industrial Engineer here .. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

[rohrt]

I think I live in the engineering capital of the world. Right next door is Rockwell Collins. They have tons of opening for engineers both mechanical and electrical and avionics. From what I have seen they pay pretty well. You might get to 100k if you work their long enough and climb the corporate ladder. The only down side is if you work on the defense division, depending on who gets in the white house when the defense cuts come your job could be cut as well. They do have a comercial avionics division as well. I think they have a branch in Californial to.

Cedar Rapids is great place to live with a low Cost of living. Good schools, low crime rate, and low insurance rates. You just have to put up with this -8 deg cold weather.

I also kick myself for not getting a 4 year deg. I got a 2year tech deg in electronics and then got a MCSE and did IT for a while. If I had the Engineering deg I would be so much farther ahead then I am now. At least finacally.
I have only 15 years of work experiance to look back on and what I remeber is not so much the paychecks but the jobs I did. Some were fun and others really sucked. Some jobs make you very anti-scocial and some put you in contact with lots of people. If you end up working 60+ hours a week for a big pay check and your wife and kids never see you and end up leaving it aint worth it. When you spen 8-10 hours in front of your work and never talk with people it takes a toll on a person mentally.

I have looked into going back to school for a ME degree and found a school in Californio that will alow you to get a Engineering degree of you choice completley Online. I think its California National University. I'm not looking to make a 100k just a decent amount to live on with company that has good benifits. Where I can put in a 8-5 and go home at the end of the day and see the family. I should of done this when i was young.

[Slow Ride]

Where I can put in a 8-5 and go home at the end of the day and see the family. I should of done this when i was young.

Maybe on a Friday. I'm lucky if I get away with a 10 hour day. A couple of years ago I averaged 53 for the year. That worked out to $17.42/hr. My boss at the time put in way more hours than I did, he would have been better off as a janitor.

[ill steez]

I think the best decision I've made as far as education goes so far has been to finish my undergrad in Electrcal Engineering. I, along with my graduated class, has multiple job opportunities as we came out of school, and from what I've experienced have the highest starting salaries of any of the other engineering disciplines.

I considered switching to mechanical multiple times, but in the end decided against it. The only thing that really attracted me to mechanical engineering was the automotive application, and automotive engineering jobs are so impacted and hard to come by that I would be hard pressed finding a job that I would actually enjoy that paid well. Also, just out of my own engineering school, I noticed that the mechanical engineers were the ones that had the most trouble finding jobs right after school. That could also be due to the fact that I live in silicon valley, where the majority of the jobs would be electrical or computer engineering realted... but still.

Either way, whichever direction you choose to go, I think an engineering degree is definently a very wise plan.

[YoungGun]

I am suprised I haven't seen more posts along the lines of, "Money doesn't matter." Because it shouldn't.

I am not an engineer, I am one of those kids going into the finance world. I am going to Wall Street to be a banker at one of the top banks on the street. I cannot tell you how many of my classmates apply to be investment bankers like me just because of the "money"! It bothers my to no end!!!!!! That is not why you choose a job or field.

I challenge anyone, and I am sure you have all experienced it, but work a 100+ hour week, getting to work at 8am, and leaving maybe around 2am, including Saturday and Sunday at times. And after that week, still think the money is important?!

You need to love what your doing. I am obsessed with the financial markets, and loved working in leverage finance and being in the middle of a storm this summer, despite the insaneeeeee hours. But the interns that did it for the money were sifted out fast.

Its the same in any industry, any job, and I think young kids like myself tend to ignore the truth, but you need to love what you're doing. You may get a great starting salary, but without passion you will be at that salary for 50 years. You will rise faster and go farther in a career you love, regardless of the intial pay.

Think a more long term, and look more than 2 or 3 years out. Where will you be in 10 years? Will you be happy? Do you have family time?

There is more to it than money.

[John S]

I'll add my .02 in here too if you all dont mind.
I did not have a degree when I got out of the military so I earned my A&P license and went to work for several different FAA repair stations. I made several moves and ended up working as the head of the R&D Department at a Regional Airlines Repair Facility for less then $45k per year. As the market changed and Airlines were being bought and sold I decided to bail out of the airline industry and moved into Industrial Maintenance working on high end machinery. Electrical, hydraulics, pnuematics and mechanical, I learned to do it all. I changed jobs several times and moved up each time but I was never going to be offered the top positions or top salaries.
I earned my Indusrtial Engineering Degree in 1994 at 36 years old and finally landed a nice position as a Maintenance Manager with one of the largest forrest and paper product manufactures in the world. Again due to market changes and an unwillingness to relocate for a third time with the company, I finally got my dream job.

I do not hold an Engineering title with my current Company but I am a Regional Manager for a company in the Radiological Industry. I oversee all the aspects of the operations of 5 facilities dealing with very large amounts of Radioactive material but especially the design, approval and installation of new Irradiators and upgrades to existing Irradiators.
I earn > $100k a year,which is less then our Director of Engineering but at least 30-40% more than eny engineer on his staff. I hardly ever use my IE skills but never really had the math skills for an ME or EE. The #1 thing that has helped me to get to where I am now is all my practical skill and knowlege. I love working on things, both electricaly and mechanicaly and it was that desire (slightly redirected) that helped me to excell to where I am now.

Figure out what you LOVE to do, then decide how to get the most out of that. Just remember, an Engineering degree may not be the right answer, but you will have to figure that one out.
Good Luck in whatever you decide.

[brn agn]

I challenge anyone, and I am sure you have all experienced it, but work a 100+ hour week, getting to work at 8am, and leaving maybe around 2am, including Saturday and Sunday at times. And after that week, still think the money is important?!


Amen to that. I've had weeks of working 6:00AM-1:00AM...I know exactly what you are talking about.

[theoriginator]

I can't believe it. All those years of hopes and dreams, aspirations of being something, and this is it? Being born, having 5 years, then going to school for 12 years, only to spend the rest of your life making ends meet and trying to get ahead, then maybe after decades of saving money, and or retiring only to have a few years left to enjoy life. That's it? All those pointless books we read in school, history, and all that bullsh*t. Working a job is just like high school, the same old sh*t. I thought that maybe the people with real talent and skills were the ones that would make it, but it's completely the opposite. The ones with a talent for bullsh*ting the best are the ones that make it, not talent and skill. I guess I should study psychology to get into people's heads so I can figure out the best way to sell them something they don't need but want. This morning I heard on the radio "talent does what it can, genius does what it must". I guess she was right.

[jackfrost]

i have no idea what mech engineering is like, i'm a computer geek. graduated in 2001, and been making good money ever since. that said, however, don't do something just for the money. there are better ways of making money than working a job. work to learn a trade, and make money doing other things.

i would highly recommend anyone to take sales and marketing classes, especially if you're currently in college. i know you may hate sales, or not want to do it, but it could easily be the most useful skill in the world today.

[ho428]

I can't believe it. All those years of hopes and dreams, aspirations of being something, and this is it? Being born, having 5 years, then going to school for 12 years, only to spend the rest of your life making ends meet and trying to get ahead, then maybe after decades of saving money, and or retiring only to have a few years left to enjoy life. That's it? All those pointless books we read in school, history, and all that bullsh*t. Working a job is just like high school, the same old sh*t.

Congratulations, you've figured it out on your own.

99.9% of people go through life doing the best they can, that doesn't mean they're any less than the .1% that make it to the top.
I'm an engineer manager and machine designer, 25+ years experience, I kinda like what I do to a point but dream for that self satisfying job. The easy 6 figure salary you're searching for is a myth that all to many Engineering graduates think comes automatically. Some areas pay that but the cost of living balances it out. That's why houses that sell for $150,000 in one area cost $500,000 in another for the same house.
Also, I can't tell you how many Degreed Engineers I've hired that had no practical knowledge, they didn't last long in my field. They do well in a corporate engineering enviroment, which is one very boring job.

If you're good at what you're doing now, you can work into that 6 figure salary on your own by building a great reputation where you are in demand. It'd be much easier than the engineering route.

My 2 cents.

[bigvegan]

I can't believe it. All those years of hopes and dreams, aspirations of being something, and this is it? Being born, having 5 years, then going to school for 12 years, only to spend the rest of your life making ends meet and trying to get ahead, then maybe after decades of saving money, and or retiring only to have a few years left to enjoy life.

That's EXACTLY why I said it's best to find something you enjoy doing, and get the skills and education necessary to do it well.

That way, you'll be enjoying life WHILE you're working, rather than when you retire and only have a few years left.

If you're having fun EVERY day, making more money than you need is just a bonus. As long as you can make ends meet and provide for yourself and your family if you choose to have one, you win.

Money and happiness are two independent entities. Just because you need money doesn't mean it can make you happy.

The lack of money causes misery, as does the lack of food, water, shelter, etc.

But thinking an abundance of money will make you happy is as absurd as thinking an all you can eat buffet at every meal will make you happy.

Not to sound all Deepak Friggin' Chopra or anything, but for the most part you determine your own happiness. As long as your needs are provided for, if you're not happy, money can only buy you more expensive distractions.

If you didn't have bills to pay, and you knew you and your family would always have shelter, food, transportation, decent clothes, and the basic amenities of a pleasant life, how would you spend your days?

Answer that question, and act accordingly, and you're on the way to a life of contentment.

[Nine Ball]

BSME here, graduated in 1998. Actually started working as a salaried engineer in 1996, with 15 hrs remaining of college. Salary back in 1996 was $40K to start. Pretty good for still being a student!

If you want to make good money in engineering, get into the offshore oil/gas industry. I was clearing six figures within 5 years, with minimal offshore time (maybe 4-6 weeks per year total). Grads right out of college start out around $55K base right now, with an easy $10K extra for going offshore, then another $10K bonus. $75K right out of college.

Best part about it is that the cost of living in Houston is very inexpensive for a large city, and we have plenty of things to do here. No state income tax either! And I get to carry a gun :)

Tony

[MonzaRacer]

Well after looking up all my math course credits, and all the other stuff I took many years ago to try and get into the Air Force as a flying mechanic (fix the hard to repair units then test them before releasing them to flight line)I looked into several different degrees, such as enigineering stuff and after seeing 2 yrs of crap Ill never use and had 12 yrs of in high school (I dont give a good goose about conjugating or proper sentence contruction if I am trying to design a part).
I looked into a lot of degrees I could use my math degree I could have(heckI even have theoretical, quantum and partical physics and it doesnt help me a dang bit.
I agree with some that buisness would be a better venue.
I have enough math credits to fill out almost 3 yrs of full time colege credits (if I wanted the complete tihng in math I need another year of crap that has nothing to d o with math) ,,,forget that.
all I want is a job working on cars where I dont have to deal with idiot/liar/dishonest service managers.
I was working up to $30k a year (this would ahve been good cash in my area) with benefits and got sidelined by 2 other techs lying about me damaging a car.
So now I am working in a shop and the idiots wont give me work to do in great quantity.
If there is something I CANT fix on a car/truck I can figure it out.
I am a diag tech have close to $50k in tools and some still being paid for, but seem to find that if I am dishonest/bill padding tech i could make some head way.
What sucks is I guess I am too nice a guy and let them walk on me.
But so far the look for a different job is continueing May even have a chance going back into a dealer ship as a diesel tech for a Ford dealer.
Now As for a body man not making good money, how the heck not.
If I had a shop at home I could lay out several custom jobs(yes , like I said I can do just about anything on a car)a year,
Heck I had one guy a couple years ago pay me $1000 to LAY OUT flames, nothing else, someone else shot them(and sucked at them) I got a friend to scuff and reshoot them as I had no indoor area to fix them.
One thing I havent got to do is air brush much except some minor touchup/high lighting.
I watched a local (read that as rural)body shop that had a guy ONLY doing frame work, and he turns over $100k a year in southern Indiana. His brother only works 3 days a week at that shop shooting paint and 2 days at another shop and that guy is turning $70k-$80k a year.
Neither guy has gotten outrageous in thier lifestyle and they both worked to get where they are. When the frame work is thier it gets the one guy a lot of overtime in the shop, other times he is working on peoples custom repairs.
We just pulled a very crooked 67 Galaxie 500XL 7Liter up to there and the frame will get pulled probably next week, then we are going to add in reinforcement,make sure its straight and then reset it and then actually put the cage in the car through the floor and weld it to the frame. Yes I am going to help on that as I sent the guy to this shop.
The engine is getting a full on going through, we are going to add on 2 turbos and use 2 4bbls throttle bodies, a customized Megasquirt and the guy has figure to have less than $20k in whole car when its done. But the shop does some work, gets paid, then does more.
My uncle runs his 2 bay body shop with him only and has built 2 houses, put 2 kids through college buried a wife and son all on his small buisness.
Yes he had other sources of investments to make long term money he is just now realizing after 20 plus years.
And he has a month wait in his shop for people getting insurance work alone.
If you cant make it in the body shop, take a close look at HOW you arent making it, rather than blaming the job it may be your just not using it to its potential.
But if spending $20k-$50k going to school and then having to pay for that and live IF you can get a better job good Luck.

[MonzaRacer]

Well after looking up all my math course credits, and all the other stuff I took many years ago to try and get into the Air Force as a flying mechanic (fix the hard to repair units then test them before releasing them to flight line)I looked into several different degrees, such as enigineering stuff and after seeing 2 yrs of crap Ill never use and had 12 yrs of in high school (I dont give a good goose about conjugating or proper sentence contruction if I am trying to design a part).
I looked into a lot of degrees I could use my math degree I could have(heckI even have theoretical, quantum and partical physics and it doesnt help me a dang bit.
I agree with some that buisness would be a better venue.
I have enough math credits to fill out almost 3 yrs of full time colege credits (if I wanted the complete tihng in math I need another year of crap that has nothing to d o with math) ,,,forget that.
all I want is a job working on cars where I dont have to deal with idiot/liar/dishonest service managers.
I was working up to $30k a year (this would ahve been good cash in my area) with benefits and got sidelined by 2 other techs lying about me damaging a car.
So now I am working in a shop and the idiots wont give me work to do in great quantity.
If there is something I CANT fix on a car/truck I can figure it out.
I am a diag tech have close to $50k in tools and some still being paid for, but seem to find that if I am dishonest/bill padding tech i could make some head way.
What sucks is I guess I am too nice a guy and let them walk on me.
But so far the look for a different job is continueing May even have a chance going back into a dealer ship as a diesel tech for a Ford dealer.
Now As for a body man not making good money, how the heck not.
If I had a shop at home I could lay out several custom jobs(yes , like I said I can do just about anything on a car)a year,
Heck I had one guy a couple years ago pay me $1000 to LAY OUT flames, nothing else, someone else shot them(and sucked at them) I got a friend to scuff and reshoot them as I had no indoor area to fix them.
One thing I havent got to do is air brush much except some minor touchup/high lighting.
I watched a local (read that as rural)body shop that had a guy ONLY doing frame work, and he turns over $100k a year in southern Indiana. His brother only works 3 days a week at that shop shooting paint and 2 days at another shop and that guy is turning $70k-$80k a year.
Neither guy has gotten outrageous in thier lifestyle and they both worked to get where they are. When the frame work is thier it gets the one guy a lot of overtime in the shop, other times he is working on peoples custom repairs.
We just pulled a very crooked 67 Galaxie 500XL 7Liter up to there and the frame will get pulled probably next week, then we are going to add in reinforcement,make sure its straight and then reset it and then actually put the cage in the car through the floor and weld it to the frame. Yes I am going to help on that as I sent the guy to this shop.
The engine is getting a full on going through, we are going to add on 2 turbos and use 2 4bbls throttle bodies, a customized Megasquirt and the guy has figure to have less than $20k in whole car when its done. But the shop does some work, gets paid, then does more.
My uncle runs his 2 bay body shop with him only and has built 2 houses, put 2 kids through college buried a wife and son all on his small buisness.
Yes he had other sources of investments to make long term money he is just now realizing after 20 plus years.
And he has a month wait in his shop for people getting insurance work alone.
If you cant make it in the body shop, take a close look at HOW you arent making it, rather than blaming the job it may be your just not using it to its potential.
But if spending $20k-$50k going to school and then having to pay for that and live IF you can get a better job good Luck.