mech engineer questions..

[JERRY2KONE]

No biggy Tmaxxracer32. Luck is a relative term, and quite honestly I don't believe that luck has anything to do with our successes or failures in real life. you either do what you need to do, or you don't. The advice we are all trying to share with you is that you have to work hard if you want the success you hope for in the ME field or anything else you may want out of life.

At the start of this discussion your question was kind of wavering about having to learn math in order to get the level of satisfaction out of the ME field that you hope for. Math is what engineering is all about. So if you want to be an ME then math is your ticket to the big game. The poor teachings of your instructor/professor is merely a roadblock that you have to find a way to overcome. Life is full of them. Working with your friend who was a former student of his may be just the ticket you need in order to work your way around this, but if not then you have to find another way. Going to school in another location may be the answer. You have a million options to deal with and no one is going to make this happen for you, now it is time for you to cowboy up and "Get-er-done" if you want to succeed We wish you the best success that you are capable of.

[Hickoryhead]

This is why I come to these forums. Not just RC is talked about but every now and then we get another great thread is started. T-Maxx your right about some stuff and then wrong. “Wrong” is not the word. Maybe just young. I have never used my parents name or friends to get ahead in this world. I have built my experience and reputation purely with my own 2 hands. The one thing my dad did to help me was teach me a good work ethic. I don’t know what you have done for work in your life but I am sure you have had co-workers that do 80% of a job and stop. My father never let me stop at 80%. It was either 100% or nothing. Growing up I hated doing some of the little stuff or the 20%. But 20% is 1\5 of a project or job. That’s a big part. I owe everything to my father for instilling that in me. Besides that my reputation is my own. So to set the record straight the Cabinet job and the Stair company I worked for both did multi-million dollar jobs. Both companies’ bosses came looking for me based on my reputation. I did not know either of them by face. I had heard there names but nothing else. I did not go apply for a job with them. One of them tracked me down in a Wal-mart. Both knew of me. In this my reputation carried me. But I was also lucky to have been taught by some good people. The experience I have comes from some great people. It would be like Michael Jordan teaching you to play basketball. You would play better learning from him then a little league coach. College has that for you. They bring together some great professors to teach you. Some of them are the top levels of their fields. Believe it or not I was looking at Robotic engineering at Penn State. It sounded great to me. But I found I loved simple building and construction. So I gave up going to college for something I love. I have never looked back. JThiesses has a good point. A degree would help me get more money. It would be the icing on the cake. I am fine were I am at. I have enough and that’s what counts. I don’t want to be a millionaire. I have no more need for more money than what I have right now. Money is not happiness. You can’t buy it. But your happiness is for sale. If you spend 16 hours at a job you like but your family hates then you have sold their happiness. Greed is bad. That’s why I won’t get a degree. I don’t see the point. I do get irritated with people above me in a management position that have a degree and my work makes them look good and they get paid 40K to 60K more. That bugs me like you would not believe but that is a choice I choose. There are some that will get a good career based on luck but they will not go far because luck will not build a work ethic or reputation. LOL I had to laugh at Jerry’s train story. It is so right. I look at the world the same way. There are 2 types of people here. 1 type is just surviving. They go to a 9 to 5 job 5 days a week and wonder why they hate their job and life. They usually live in a poor area of any town and don’t really care. Then there is the other type. They are conquerors. They want more then just the minimum out of life. They want better and will work for it. Which type are you??? As an engineer you figure out problems. I see a problem in your thinking. You said “almost all of my friend’s parents own companies so they are extremely good at what there parents do for a living. They are lucky that they have the tools to exceed what others do.” What tools do you have that you are not using? If you think your friend have tools look at the problem in another way. What tools do you have? Stop thinking about what you don’t have but use what you do. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. I have plenty of weaknesses but I use what I have for strengths. Learn yours. You’re too young to worry about all this. You don’t have to decide what to do for your life right now. The average American today changes careers not just jobs but careers every 7 years. WOW. Do what you love, the money will follow. I hope this is not too much to read.

[sapper_triple6]

What would you guys suggest doing to get into a mech engineering career field? I've been looking around online a lot since I'm getting out of the Army soon, and it seems that most of these places want a lot of experience. Right now I am working on my Mech. Engineering Technology degree since I can do it all online. I would much rather go to a college for my degree, but I have a wife and 3 kids to support so I need to go out and work.

[JERRY2KONE]

Way to go Hickoryhead. No that was not too long. I think we are over loading this poor guys mind though. Don't worry Tmaxx we are not mad at you. You asked the question and we are just trying to ram a few points home so that you will think a little bit harder about what you want to do. The one good thing that I see that you have is ambition. Most kids your age are still not done partying. Growing up I just did not see the point of all the booze and drugs to have fun. yeah I got drunk almost every day the first year that I was in the navy in Scotland at age 18, but finally realized that I was wasting my time and money on something that was hurting me more then it was worth. Just like smoking. You can try to justify it any way that you like, but it still adds up to nothing good.

You are at least wanting to get your life going at an early age. Knuckle down and give whatever you decide to do a fighting effort. Stop thinking about how screwed up the teacher is. If that holds you back then you will only have yoruself to blame. Hey Hickory I am glad you liked the speeding train story. I used to put that out there training recruits in boot camp every day to motivate them, and it really did make some of them think about where they wanted to go with their lives. My Father also taught me about risk. If you are not out there taking calculated risks in some way, then what the hell is the point in living. Do you want to stay in bed all day hiding from the world or get out there and experience life.

Tmaxx all we hope to do is help you in some small way that may connect our experiences with your way of thinking so you can move forward without any doubt as to what it is that you want out of your efforts. Plus everyone needs to know that if you just coast along letting Crap happen as the saying goes, then don't be angry when it amounts to a pile of the same stuff down the road that you have to deal with. I am all about motivating anyone who needs a gentle push to get moving. So just tell us what your thoughts are and we will be more than happy to assist you in some way. Have a good day man.

[t-maxxracer32]

wooooo

that was alot of reading before school.

i really dont know what else to say other thank thanks alot.

even if you guys were mad at me it wouldnt matter because at least you care enough to take 10 minutes out of your day to write me an essay

hickory alot of what you said makes perfect sence to me. i dont really remember it all right now since im a little tired but ill reread it when i get home!

I WANT TO BE A CONQUERER!

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by sapper_triple6

What would you guys suggest doing to get into a mech engineering career field? I've been looking around online a lot since I'm getting out of the Army soon, and it seems that most of these places want a lot of experience. Right now I am working on my Mech. Engineering Technology degree since I can do it all online. I would much rather go to a college for my degree, but I have a wife and 3 kids to support so I need to go out and work.

I couldnt imagine trying to do a full degree online. Some courses, yes, but there are a lot of them that require interaction.

Doesnt the military pay for education, or did you have to sign up for that from the start?

Another option would be to go to work for a company that will pay for your education. Most major manufacturing companies will do that (as long as you are getting a degree in something that is related to what they do). So you could get a job as a mechanic/assembler, or whatever entry level field they may be hiring in, then go to school on nights. Your military background will count for something when applying.

[t-maxxracer32]

would i be able to do that?

maybe find some place that is willing to train me and pay me at the same time?

or pay for my education like you said?

i will only be 18 at the time though.

[sapper_triple6]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

I couldnt imagine trying to do a full degree online. Some courses, yes, but there are a lot of them that require interaction.

Doesnt the military pay for education, or did you have to sign up for that from the start?

Another option would be to go to work for a company that will pay for your education. Most major manufacturing companies will do that (as long as you are getting a degree in something that is related to what they do). So you could get a job as a mechanic/assembler, or whatever entry level field they may be hiring in, then go to school on nights. Your military background will count for something when applying.

Yes I have $40,000 from the military to use towards education. I am struggling with the online courses now though. I'm not a math whiz by any means and its starting to kick my rear. If I had an actual instructor teaching me, it would probably be easier.

[t-maxxracer32]

i took an online spanish class and all i can say is total waste of time.

online classes IMO are for people who need the credit fast.

or are of course not able to get to the school.

idk they are just pointless to me if you have the time to take real classes

[sapper_triple6]

Yeah I'm stationed in Germany right now so it would be a really long swim across the ocean to get to class. Also like I mentioned before, I have a wife and 3kids to support so I need to be out working. But I do agree real classes are the best way to go.

[t-maxxracer32]

o well then what you are doing is definetly the only way...

i hope it all goes well for you.

[JERRY2KONE]

Joining the military is not for everybody, but it has something that most jobs do not. Security. It is one of the few places that will train you to do your job, pay you for your work, and give you money for education beyond your contracted obligation. You don't have to join the Army or the Marine Corp either. You can join the Airforce, Navy, or even the coast Guard and get benefits. You get a roof over your head, three squares a day, free medical care, and pay with bonuses if you get into the right field. There are pros and cons in every job accross the USA, but the goverment is the only one who still gives garuntees. It all depends on how badly you want things in your life. A lot of people join and do their obligation of 4 years and leave with enough education money to pay for a 4 or even a 6 year degree. It is the 4 year commitment that scares most people, but the benefits far outway the cons. Still you have to decide if it is for you or not.

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

It is the 4 year commitment that scares most people, but the benefits far outway the cons. Still you have to decide if it is for you or not.

Dude, I would go back to the college lifestyle in a heartbeat. I had a lot of fun there, in addition to all the hard work.

[Hickoryhead]

Originally Posted by sapper_triple6

What would you guys suggest doing to get into a mech engineering career field? I've been looking around online a lot since I'm getting out of the Army soon, and it seems that most of these places want a lot of experience. Right now I am working on my Mech. Engineering Technology degree since I can do it all online. I would much rather go to a college for my degree, but I have a wife and 3 kids to support so I need to go out and work.

Have you checked with the VA? They might have a good idea of were you could start. I know they have a program set up for return Iraq Vets. I am not sure if you can be apart of it or not. Can’t hurt to look.

It’s my experience that when a company asks for experience usually they say something to the effect of “pay depending on experience.” Don’t be afraid to contact a company and ask for an application. You may not have the exact experience they are looking for but a lot of companies that see a person in school they see someone they can mold into what is best for the company. Personally if I were running a company and needed a job filled I would want to bring some in I can train the way I want the job done. If I had a specific job to fill then I would get a specific person like a college graduate. Each company has a different need. 1 call could find out that need. What’s the worst that could happen? They tell you you’re under qualified or not enough experience? Then you have a great person to ask what you need to do to get into that field. They are looking for some. Ask them what they are looking for. Or they might take an interest in you. Just my 2 cents.

[t-maxxracer32]

so like you said the only way you can become successful is from experience so what are some things i can do to become a better engineer when i get older?

idk if that is a stupid idea or not lol. but ya...

here are some things that i want to learn (idk if it has to do with engineering but it really interests me)
how PCBs work
how capacitors work
how all the modules on boards work
how they make boards do certain things

really i just want to understand everything about boards. they are SO freakin crazy to me. like how does it know what to do? how does it do what it does? how does something so little do so much? its amazing to me. i would really love to learn about all that kinda stuff. it interests me so much.

i looked at basically all the videos on youtube about it and it didnt give me much info...

i cant really go onto the internet and read and understand. it will just go right over my head. i have to see it and hear it and stuff.

if any of you guys have any good places that i could go to learn this that would be great!