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I Feel Like My Chosen Career Path Isn’t Fulfilling To Me

User Profile: Rustypotato
Rustypotato July 21st, 2025

Right out of high school, I went to a trade school for auto mechanics. Just to note, I am a woman in the field.

The other night, my boyfriend asked me if I saw myself at the same job in the next 5 years. For context, I was an apprentice, but decided I didn’t want to go flag rate, so I’m back to being an hourly lube tech. He’s also a technician at the same place, but he’s really good at what he does and he is a flag rate tech. I would rather have an hourly job where I can have financial security, but the next step up from being a lube tech, is to become a main line tech. There is also an unreliability in being a service advisor and being a car salesman.

I do want to go to a job where I can grow and also make enough money to pay my bills, but I feel like I can’t do anything without an actual college degree other than doing fast food service(was in it for 2 years), which I wouldn’t be able to live on. I also don’t have the money to go to college and I don’t want to take out student loans.

I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’m stuck and I keep applying to other jobs, but no response. I’m also not sure what I actually want to do

2
User Profile: Amanda84
Amanda84 July 22nd, 2025

@Rustypotato

It can be hard when it's money holding us back. I know it's hard when you are not passionate about the job you are in, sometimes its about getting the bills paid and nothing else. Is there any chance of working your way up on the job and getting the training there? If not, your passion might have to come alive outside of the work place until you decide what you want to do 💕💜

User Profile: Voodvins
Voodvins July 22nd, 2025
@Rustypotato Your situation is complicated, but not unsolvable, and this is quite normal, because not everyone can immediately understand what they want. If you know what you like, you could come up with a plan to get a higher education along this path, and if not, you need to find something of your own. Perhaps you have a hobby or interests other than cars that could become a profession. Perhaps you do not even know about them, but there are professions that you will like, this also happens. This is normal, although it is a long way. The main thing is not to despair and be yourself, not to go somewhere just for the sake of a diploma, and also not to make hasty conclusions. You have support, as I understand it, and this is already great. In any case, you still have everything ahead of you, so hold on!
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