Career Change Questions and Discussion

[Krazed]

Im starting this thread to get some opinions and thoughts. I've hit a crossroads in my life and am just about going crazy trying to figure out what to do!

A bit of back story: I've been into cars since I was a kid. Got my first when I was 12, 1967 Baja Bug. Replaced the engine, transmission, suspension, fixed all the electrical, etc. all before I was 16 as it was my first car. Been into them since. 76 Land Cruiser w/ 350 swap, 77 Lincoln Town Car, 68 Barracuda, '99 Trans Am WS6, 03 Supercharged F150. IT goes on and on. I have a passion for cars, I'm told all the time that my passion for it is addictive. I apparently bleed it, make others excited about cars even if they dont generally care. Fast forward a few years, I got into computers as well when I was younger. Went to college for it, been doing IT Work for 10 years now.

The Crossroads: My last job was too much for me. Too much stress, poor employer morals, etc. I ended up quitting last week. Now, I'm looking for work again. I thought it would be easy. The looking isn't the hard part, its the drive, the want to do it. I don't have my heart into IT work anymore like I used to. This is the point where I'm trying to decide if i want to follow IT just for a steady paycheck, or follow my dream of classic car, custom, automotive work.

Here's my point for this post.

If I were to get into the "Car Business". What would the best way to break into this be? I have no formal training, and honestly very little for project log work, or any kind of proof that I have these skills outside of my passion and word of mouth from friends/family.

I saw a post a few years ago in the Employment section here. It was for Prodigy Customs seeking a new employee for fabrication and custom work. What they actually wanted was someone who wasnt TOO good, so they could train and mold them appropriately to do things their way, and the right way. IE: No bad habits to give their company a bad name while giving someone a chance to become a great car builder.



Does this sort of thing happen often? Is there anyone out there that would do this sort of thing?

Any stories, opinions, etc. are very welcome. I'm mostly typing out all this to put my thoughts down. Not sure if it makes much sense, but I'm trying!

Thank you all for reading and I hope we can get a nice discussion going that will help me, as well as others in the future, decide what to do between their passions and responsibilities.