I am 17 years old and i’ve been in school all my life… I finally realized the classroom was not the place for me so I’m not in the process of getting my GED. I am very interested in auto mechanics but feel my family won’t support me in this field choice.. I live in New York and am trying to find a program I can attend to learn this trade along with getting my GED. if anybody knows of a program of ideas of how I can achive this goal please comment!!
3 comments
Tamrah
i’m 16 and i am a mechanic. some of my family don’t support me but my dad does and he’s helped me along the way. it will be tough without your family supporting you but if its wat you want don’t let em hold you back! i’m also thinkin about gettin my GED cause i can go on and start my career and be happy cause sittin in school aint my gig! i’m also amazed that i’ve found another young mechanic like myself! hope you make a great mechanic :)
Emily
Hi Becca,
Congrats on figuring out what you want to do! You are light years ahead of many people your age just for that simple fact. I agree with Gretchen–your first priority should be getting your GED. Once you have that under your belt, a whole world of opportunity will open to you. Where I live, there are auto mechanic programs at most of the community colleges, and evening programs at Joint Vocational Schools for people who are already done with high school or who have their GED. Investigate those options. Also, when you find a program, one of your first stops should be to the financial aid office. Financial aid isn’t just for people pursuing a 4-year degree.
I think that if your family is wary of your decision when you first talk to them about it, commitment to your goal will win them over. ESPECIALLY when you tell them how awesome it will be for everyone to have an auto mechanic in the family! I am a female firefighter, and I know how tough it can be to get into a non-traditional field. There will be rough times and times that you might even start to listen to those voices that say you “shouldn’t” be there. But you will also come across amazing people, men and women, who will encourage and inspire you. Just stick to your guns and remember why you got into it — because it is YOUR dream. And there is nothing in life more important than pursuing your dream.
gretchen
Hi Becca – thanks for sharing. My first thought is to pursue your GED and get that squared away. I feel you on the “classroom isn’t for me” because I learn much better on my own. A lot of my skills, including web design and computer programming were self-taught. That being said, I still think classroom education is extremely important. In your case, finding a school that specializes in auto mechanics would be ideal. Cars have so much technology built into them today that I’m certain it would be beneficial to get as much training as you can in computer sciences as well.
As for your family, it sounds like you haven’t really told them yet. If you are serious about this (and it sounds like you are), the best approach to gaining their support is to gather as much research as you possibly can about your field. Go to them with a game plan in mind and show them that you are plotting your course to make this happen. It may take them a while to recognize that you’re serious, but grant them time to process what you’re telling them and eventually you should be able to gain their support. Meanwhile, look for the support of other women who are mechanical engineers or in the auto industry and build a network. If you can find a local shop that will let you observe or even work as an intern, that would be great experience. Let us know how it goes. :)