Thinking of changing Career

[philagony94xj]

I'm a Mechanic for an Dealership right now, and I see this job going nowhere really. No security in knowing what your pay is gonna be for the week. I am thinking of changing careers but dont know if it is the best thing to do right now in light of the current economy situation.

What I would want to do is work on Wind Turbines. There are a few Colleges and Programs offered across the country. There is one in Southen Michigan not too far from me. Only a 6 month program.

My question is does anyone on here do this kind of Job or know of anyone who does this? Any input would be great.

It sounds like a Good, Long lasting career that would be around and in Demand for a LONG time. I have heard that in the next 15-20 years, the government wants the country to be dependant on this Renewable energy source, something like 40% of energy in BigCities needs to be sourced from Wind.

I'm still researching this and talking to the Schools about the programs. I've been thinking about this for a year now. I just think it would be something I would be good at. I have no wife, kids, or anything tying me down. So I think with all the traveling you need to do for this Job I would not be set.

There's my rant/thoughts for the day. That is all.

 

[redneck]

Im a airframe and powerplant A&P mechanic working on helicopters. When I was going threw A&P school we had a company that was contracted by GE to service wind generators in TX and NM. That company required a powerplant licence to be hired on. Let me tell ya, a FAA A&P licence is one of the best tickets you can have right now. Im contracting with L-3 Vertex right now working on Army helicopters in the South West Asia Theater right now. If youre already a mechanic I would strongly suggest aviation as youre next step in the mechanical field.
My last gig was down at Fort Rucker AL doing the same thing (Army aviation). I know theres a contract up in Huntsville AL right now too. Theres a F15 gig over in Cherry Point as well. Im sure theres something within a reasonable distance from you. Good money, benefits and job security. If you want more in deapth info just send me a PM. Im in the middle of transferring sites right now and am waiting around for a flight up north. Ill be around...

 

[crimsondragon]

Im a airframe and powerplant A&P mechanic working on helicopters. When I was going threw A&P school we had a company that was contracted by GE to service wind generators in TX and NM. That company required a powerplant licence to be hired on. Let me tell ya, a FAA A&P licence is one of the best tickets you can have right now. Im contracting with L-3 Vertex right now working on Army helicopters in the South West Asia Theater right now. If youre already a mechanic I would strongly suggest aviation as youre next step in the mechanical field.
My last gig was down at Fort Rucker AL doing the same thing (Army aviation). I know theres a contract up in Huntsville AL right now too. Theres a F15 gig over in Cherry Point as well. Im sure theres something within a reasonable distance from you. Good money, benefits and job security. If you want more in deapth info just send me a PM. Im in the middle of transferring sites right now and am waiting around for a flight up north. Ill be around...

I suppose that's comforting to know. I have an AS in Aviation Maintenance. I'll hopefully have my A&P by end of the year. I haven't been able to find much jobs around my area. :smoker:

 

[redneck]

l-3com.com
ds2.com
http://www.donhr.navy.mil/
csc.com

just to get you started... For the most part youd never know unless you knew someone working for them... The A&P is the key. Its either required or waives the 3-5 years aviation experience.

 

[tbburg]

Major problem with the wind-turbine industry. It only seems to last as long as government subsidies for the industry exist. Wind power here in the 'States seems to go up and down based solely on how much the govt is offering any given year. Private industry is sitting on the sidelines.

Spain was going great guns for wind. That lasted right up until the Spanish govt. stopped pumping higher subsidies each year. Private industry didn't pick up the "slack". There's a lot of people in Spain who were into wind looking for work right now.

 

[heyhar]

If I could do it again, with what I've seen over the last ten years as an electrician, I'd go Navy, and learn everything nuclear I could. I've worked in a variety of power plants, and the one thing most, if not all, of the important people have in common is a Navy background. Nuke subs and carriers are just smaller scale power plants. This year, three nuke plants were given the green light, one of which is near me in PA. If all goes well, I may be able to retire from this one. With all the latent demand for more and newer power generation, I'd say this is a good field to be in. Wind and solar are good on a limited basis, but sometimes the weather is calm, and it's dark an average of half of the time. And, as previously stated, once the subsidies stop (which are only our tax dollars, anyway), the grid still needs to be filled with juice, so the choice is clear.

 

[joe_peters]

The BIG and DIRTY secret to wind power--it is so unreliable that they have backup generators on line ready to keep the grid from crashing when the wind dies down. Here in Oregon in the Columbia Gorge it isn't too bad as they keep the hydroelectric generators running on standby, but in other parts of the country buying into this nonsense they are burning fossil fuels to be on standby for an unreliable power source.

As said, the "Green" economy in Spain crashed, HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS wasted, and nothing to show for it. Of course, our Progressive Socialists have no fear that their implementation of failed plans will work out much better.

Go aviation.

 

[heyhar]

I just wonder about the havoc that these 'sometimes' power sources wreak on the power companies. Can you imagine being a planner at a power plant, and the wind starts blowing? What do you do, throttle down a reactor? Or the sun comes out, on a cool day, turn a nuke plant off, then a cloud comes over an array, or the wind dies down, and full speed ahead? Sad fact is, the main power supplier still needs to have ALL the capability, although they may not get a return on their investment. I see the 'green' deal from both sides, as I'm frequently in power generating facilities. And, although they can't voice their thoughts, in light of all this 'green' nonsense going on, I know it is a major source of concern. Instead of all the grants and subsidies for alternative sources, we really need a reliable REAL source of energy, and a reliable grid to deliver it. No more trees blacking out a good chunk of our country and Canada...

 

[Boatwrench]

Steam. More steam.

Rightseatsis (Mary) is a boiler technician and pulls down some serious pay and benefits. people always need their power so here industry is steady.

I went the dealership mechanic route and understand what you are saying. As a Union shop we were hourly, not flat rate but the place could always just close the doors (it did after the 1989 earthquake) and call it quits. I wish I had become an electrician.

 

[urban yan]

Steampunk tech is the renaissance wave of the future.

 

[RichP]

Storage will also be an upcoming industry, solar and wind will both be growth industries as long as the federal money keeps coming. With solar it's only during daylight hours, if the demand is low all that power is wasted. If companies start building huge storage facilities that will be the only saving grace on solar.
Pocono Raceway just turned on a 3.4 megawatt solar array, 40,000 panels, will supply power to over a thousand homes, during the day, at night that becomes an issue.
As far as Navy nukes, yes, the commitment is 6 year enlistment, school is over a year after boot camp in either Idaho or Schenectady NY at one of the nuke training sites which actually have running reactors, each model for every model in commission.

However don't follow this boy scouts steps, now it would get you the instant attention of Homeland Security for sure
http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html

 

[philagony94xj]

I am taking in all that you all are saying and it makes complete sense. I did some research and didnt realize how dependant those wind farms and facilities are on the government funds to keep them going.

I am still trying to figure out what Career I can learn and still be able to apply my mechanical knowledge. I'll be checking out a few of the ones listed above. I'll see what I can find out.

Thanks for those who chimed in. Its nice to hear some advice from those who have been there/ done that. I'm only 28 so I feel I can still change paths.

 

[Dest]

However don't follow this boy scouts steps, now it would get you the instant attention of Homeland Security for sure
http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html

...wow

 

[Mtb Jak]

heyy i live in Schenectady!

 

[RichP]

heyy i live in Schenectady!

Home of the skiddy kittys....

 

[REWSTER]

I feel your pain man, i wanna get out of the automotive field too but have no idea what i want to get into, like you said you dont have kids,wife, and house tieing you down and your still young so it will be easy to get into some sort of schooling and find something you will like doing
I cant remember who said it but i once heard a saying " if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life" i have yet to figure out what that is for me and fear that i will never get out of this endless loop of a nightmare job

 

[RichP]

I feel your pain man, i wanna get out of the automotive field too but have no idea what i want to get into, like you said you dont have kids,wife, and house tieing you down and your still young so it will be easy to get into some sort of schooling and find something you will like doing
I cant remember who said it but i once heard a saying " if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life" i have yet to figure out what that is for me and fear that i will never get out of this endless loop of a nightmare job

It took me a long time to get to that point. Now I am totally having fun at my job.

 

[karstic]

Look into the domestic water treatment/distribution or wastewater treatment fields.

Look at the job descriptions and pay/benefit schedules

http://www.ocsd.com/jobs/class_n_compensation.asp

 

[Rob Mayercik]

...wow

x2. Wow, indeed.

 

[w_howey]

This year, three nuke plants were given the green light, one of which is near me in PA. If all goes well, I may be able to retire from this one.

The one in Texas is being held up by local eco-problems... and Exceleon has stated several times that the one in Illinois will not happen unless they get the green light on the Texas project. They don't want to invest the money to develop one project out of three.