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what inspired you to become and auto body mechanic?
I'm 16 years old and I always wanted to work on cars as an actual career but I'm not sure if I want to pursue this in the future. #mechanical-engineering
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Mike’s Answer
Pasats, If I were you, I would set my sights on a college education focused on an engineering or science field. I loved cars at 16 (and still do at 50!) but having that be a permanent career will be hard work for less money. You can be the person that designs the cars, or the machines, or the factories, that run the world! Don't limit yourself to just the machines you've seen...check out local factories and businesses. I see you are near Seattle...check out the Boeing factory, it's amazing! Set your sights to be one of the people designing those products and factories. Good luck!
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Carlos’s Answer
I got a degree on computer science, and in my 22 years at Dell I have yet to write a line of code. The point is as you get older, you get more experiences that will eventually take you where you want to go.
Today you are interested in cars, and that is great. Behind that interest, there is a lot more. For example, do you like to take things apart? If this is what drives you, then why not look into more complex things to take apart? Do you like engines? is it because you like the power they make? Then why not also look into electric motors or really understand the math behind gear ratios. Point is, you are very young, and i bet in your lifetime you will find things that you like better than others.
Augmenting what someone else said, get a 2 year or a 4 year degree that compliments the field you are interested on, then put some time on it, and worry about the future. The degree isn't going to change what you like now or later, but it will open more doors\fields that you have yet to like
Understand why you like what you like
Find science behind the things you like
Get formal education related to those skills
Put some miles in the field
Decide if this is really for you or simply switch to something else. Your formal studies plus experience will make your next move easier
Today you are interested in cars, and that is great. Behind that interest, there is a lot more. For example, do you like to take things apart? If this is what drives you, then why not look into more complex things to take apart? Do you like engines? is it because you like the power they make? Then why not also look into electric motors or really understand the math behind gear ratios. Point is, you are very young, and i bet in your lifetime you will find things that you like better than others.
Augmenting what someone else said, get a 2 year or a 4 year degree that compliments the field you are interested on, then put some time on it, and worry about the future. The degree isn't going to change what you like now or later, but it will open more doors\fields that you have yet to like
Carlos recommends the following next steps: