I urge any younger person to get into a trade such as programming or take the next step and go to school for engineering. You can make great money in a skilled trade because the younger generation isn't willing to learn it. And, most people are too lazy to do the work it takes to get through engineering school.
Indeed. Anyone willing to learn how to work on a new commonrail injection diesel engine is pretty much guaranteed employment. Today, if you can't write script or do basic computer programming, you'll be left behind in life. We've had a huge turn over in the industry. All the old guys who are used to going up to an engine, feeling it, and knowing which valves are out of adjustment simply cannot comprehend using a laptop for diagnostics. After training, so many of them simply said they are retiring.
Just the other day I was using a program for programming ham radios, it is pretty much excel based. However since I know how excel works, it was easy. So many people have trouble with the program.
Engineering...depends. You work for a small company and get to do a bunch of cool stuff. However you always get the piss beaten out of you over everything and the pay can be crap.
On the flipside, a big engineering firm, you will NEVER see your end project. Just looking at 3D drawings, P&ID diagrams, and giant parts lists. That said, at 5pm, you are done, and the pay is most excellent.
It is hard to strike a balance, from what I've found. Hence why I left actually doing engineering. I still use my degree to speak informed on issues, but I haven't touched a calculator in forever.
