I was wondering what everyone's background was/is. The amount of incredible knowledge in this sub makes me think everyone must have been a mechanic or similar. There was a thread like this on TacomaWorld and was a great place to get career advice and see what everyone else does.

I personally graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering - design tractors and equipment, and recently left that field to design houses and work on a farm. I have experience with electrical work, automotive and commercial, and engine design, specifically diesel engines from my time with John Deere.

I spent two years working in applied mechanics and new product development with John Deere Power Systems. From there I transitioned into a role working with drivelines and torsional dampers for large tractors 7R, 8R, and 9R. After that my wife and I moved, and I started working as a Mechanical Design Engineer for a company that makes concrete roller pavers - these are used to pour concrete on bridges and other projects that require accuracy. I spent two years there and got tired of the small-town politics and left that position to work for myself designing houses.

 

Interesting thread idea Zach. I too am often amazed at and happy for the wealth of knowledge and backgrounds we see here.

As for me Acft Mechanic since the early 80's. Prior to joining the Air Force my exposure to anything mechanical was non existent. My dad took everything somewhere to be done, including oil changes. Our family tool box had some craftsman tools, a few wrenches, screwdrivers, water pumps, and a hammer. It was just enough to keep my bike on the road.

Joined the AF in 1980 and they sent me to Jet Fighter Meckinic school, F4's. After 4 years I got out and went to Air frame and Powerplant school in the Atlanta area. Hired on at Delta in 87. Worked as a line Mechanic, Avionics mechanic, and then spent a few years in the Engine shop rebuilding Pratt and Whitney 2037's.

Since 2012 I've worked in Maintenance Control putting out fires, 1st on the Md88 fleet and now on B737's.

 

Ive got a bachelors in Automotive technology but dont really use it currently. I worked as a truck mechanic for 9 years, driving busses part time towards the end. The trucks i messed with were older, 1960s average up to 1992 I believe. It was a good learning experience but got old getting as nasty as I did working on the old trucks and being the one that fit in all the hard to reach( usually nastiest) spots on the trucks. Needed a change in career for several reasons towards the end.

Currently working as a correctional officer doing mechanical work on the side. Not sure how long I’ll continue being a CO if the state has their choice in it. Still doing mechanical work as needed in addition to my own stuff.

 

Graduated from a local technical school in 84, diesel truck repair. Worked on trash trucks for 6 months, ruined me. Haven't turned wrenches on a vehicle for cash since.
3 semesters night school, intro to ac, intro to dc, and residential wiring. Started installing credit card processing machines when the carbon copies were outlawed. More in this field to follow.
Next up was fabricating metal doors,frames, and borrowed lites. Started my union carpenter apprenticeship when I started installing the doors, frames, and hardware. This worked me to my current profession.
Started this job 20 years ago. Used to install rolling, and sliding grilles in the shopping malls when they were still a thing. Installed/serviced rolling and sectional doors when not in the malls. This led to my current job in the same company, vehicle gates and gate operators. I help hang the gates. My main duty is installing/servicing the gate operstors. I deal with electronics ranging from 2.5 vdc up to 460 3ph. Also work on the hydraulic operators. There is more fabrication than you would think. Used to be just me 20 years ago. Now there is 3 techs, 2 laborers, and a fabricator. I would like to think that my mechanical and customer service skills helped grow this company to where it is now.
Vehicles of note, 83 ranger with a 350 cheby/350 turbo. Built and titled a tube frame buggy w/mid travel suspension and stroker acvw motor. Current toy is a 86 4runner. Solid front axle swap, 5.3 ls, powerglide, marlin crawler, with a rear detriot locker.
And my card still says carpenter, local 1596.
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Retired now, but was a math teacher and track coach for 10 years, then spent 30 years in the technology business as an architect, consultant and sales rep. No mechanical training or background, other than being the son of a guy who spent 40 years as a service tech for Burroughs, and all of his kids could do stuff: An engineer, a nurse and two (identical twin) IT guys. Well educated, if not smart, with degrees in math and phys-ed (exercise physiology was my academic first love, and all I ever really wanted to be was an Olympic track champion, but the closest I ever got was coaching a HS state champion) and information systems, totaling 297 semester hours.

I've always done some work on my vehicles, but really got into it when, as a recently divorced 40 year old, I got into 4wheeling. That was 23 years ago.

Mark

 

Thought I would sign in. I am an eighty year old Bible student, teacher and pastor. I have been studying the bible since an elder challenged and encouraged me at age eight, and teaching from age sixteen and still active in ministering His word.
I'm a USMC veteran.
My wife of fifty seven years and I love to hitch our 5th wheel to our 2000 Ford Super Duty and enjoy our time together.

 

Paul, both of these are great points, I have quoted you instead of repeating them.

I started working on my birthday at age 14, which was the youngest age to work legally at the time. This was my first paying job that taxes was applied to.

I enlisted in the Air Force on active duty at age 17 on delayed enlistment in order to leave for boot camp immediately after graduating high school. The USAF assigned me me "Outside Plant" as a career field. This was basically a telephony technician that worked outside with heavy equipment, digging holes and climbing telephone poles and what not. It also involved programming and installing telephone business systems and wiring for buildings. I did that for a few years and the career field merged with "Inside Plant" which was more of the switching and programming side of the house. I didn't like that side of the house though as it was more in doors in front of a screen and at a desk.

At around the 15 year mark in my career, that career field merged with a set of IT based career fields which opened up a lot more duty stations for me as a technician since Outside/Inside Plant were going contracted for the most part. Later in my career I was lucky enough to be selected for a combat communications role as my last duty assignment and am very grateful for the opportunities and life experiences it afforded me.

I managed to secure an Associates degree in Electronic Systems Technology and then a Bachelors degree in Information Systems Security. It took me just over 18 years to garner a BS and most of the time those people are called doctor or professor, but I just go by Sous... At least I can say I am determined.

After 22 years, 3 months and 27 days on active duty, I retired and obtained a high paying civilian position in as an IT administrator and network specialist. The money was great, the job was great, but my wife and I were not happy living that lifestyle. After 9 months of trying to make the new position work, I put in a 90 day notice of resignation to fully retire and live life to its fullest in a way that was in line with our goals for our lives.

Money is not everything and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

We have been fortunate enough to meet 40+ FTE'rs in person and have made some lifelong friends and family friends with some of them. This is a community like no other found ANYWHERE on the interwebs. This forum is based on our common interests in the 7.3L PSD, but it is about the people. The people are what make this community what it is, not the trucks.

 

Good thread! And thanks for sharing.
Lifelong carpenter here. Ive been self employed since 2000 as a finish trim carpenter. Bought my first 7.3 in Dec 02 new off the lot. Only new vehicle ive ever bought.
I wrenched on my stuff to keep it in service. Cargo vans that employees drove. And my 7.3s
Im a better carpenter than mechanic. But ive always worked with my hands. I have always been on the jobsite, and wear a toolbelt every day. By choice i haven't taken much time off ive always had too much to do. My plan is to get away from new construction and focus on a lighter schedule. Something similar to what Sous is doing.

Im happy that i have trained alot of guys the trade. Ive taught my son the trade. My daughter's have spread and loaded iron balusters in staircases. My hard work, the wifes hard work has afforded them college. Shared what i could. Ive learned alot here and know the frustration of a bad glow plug relay. Or the sound of a wife angry that my truck leaked on the driveway and.... So i pipe when i think i can help.
B

 

Electrical Contractor, retired just when Covid hit. Also a residential landlord with 5 rentals that have been a lot of work over the years but all paid for now and providing a decent income.

 

Driving has been my primary occupation for a decade now. I paid out of pocket for a month long class A driving school in Sept 2011 back when I lived in Portland, OR and wanted to see the country. Past couple of years I've been making a living driving the Ford hauling RVs both locally and over the road...an interesting little niche of the trucking industry. (Ironic considering I don't even like RV's). I'm no mechanic and don't pretend to be, but you pretty much don't have a choice but be a little mechanically inclined around trucks when you spend all day in one. Prior to that I was a college boy and drove a desk at an intermodal shipping brokerage for about 5 years, also both in Portland. Interesting career arc so far...can't say driving has ever paid off big-bucks wise, at least not yet, and it may never the way I do it. It's more about personal freedom and working the way I want to than it is about money.

 

Pissing people off.

It's not a job if you love what you do!

 

 

Deleted Unnecessary Letterkenny reference.

 

Every Butt-Head needs a Beavis

 

We are halfway through season 4.

Someone grab this guy a puppers...