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 Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:38 am Post subject: learning |
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I'm 56 years old and I work as a mechanic, I make almost 11.00 an hour.
My problem is I cant take much more of working outside in this heat. I'm
trying to learn,assimulate, cram as much learning as I can to become a
tech working in a computer shop. I work [free] after hours helping and
watching a computer tech,work on computers. I read constantly. My
problem is I cant afford to go to school, for this. I take on computers
of friends to fix, I build computers, do you computer tech guys think I
could ever learn enough, to actually have job at this. Someday I'd like
to take the a+ exam, maybe? Im sorry for being long winded.
signed pcwiznot@mchsi.com |
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Bill Eitner
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| Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: learning |
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pcwiznot@mchsi.com wrote:
| Quote: | I'm 56 years old and I work as a mechanic, I make almost 11.00 an hour.
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That seems low for a mechanic.
Of course I'm in California where the pay rates are relatively
high. For example, union scale for an automotive mechanic is
around $30/hour. My brother is 50 and overweight. He works
as a mechanic at a non-union shop where he can work at a more
relaxed pace. He currently makes $18/hour and is likely to
ask for a raise to $20-$25 by next year or go somewhere else.
Perhaps looking for a better mechanic job might be wise.
| Quote: | My problem is I cant take much more of working outside in this heat.
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What are your prospects for retirement? If you only have
9 years or even 11 years left before full Social Security,
you may have to just stick it out like my father did. He
was a mechanic and wanted to retire at 58, but he hung on
until 65. His last two jobs were civil service (county and
city). Those jobs didn't pay as well as the prior union
jobs, but they were more comfortable physically and had
decent benefits.
| Quote: | I'm
trying to learn,assimulate, cram as much learning as I can to become a
tech working in a computer shop.
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At your age it may have to be your own shop or at-home
business. There's nothing stopping you from advertising
and getting that started now. The only problem is that
under the table side jobs don't contribute to your Social
Security benefit. Eventually you have to make the business
legitimate or stay with a regular job up to retirement.
| Quote: | I work [free] after hours helping and
watching a computer tech,work on computers. I read constantly. My
problem is I cant afford to go to school, for this.
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I'm doing it with library books. It takes discipline to
set aside the time and stick with it, but it can be done.
There are online resources for extra practice test questions
when you feel you're getting close (hitting 85% or better
on the practice tests that come with the books).
Also, there's something called WIA (Workforce Investment Act).
It amounts to federal money for training. Do some research
into it and you may be able to find a WIA subsidized A+
program in your area. There may be some other kind of
program you can make use of as well. ROP (Regional
Occupational Program) comes to mind. Look into it. There
has to be some kind of social/human services department
at your county center.
Ask for/seek whatever help you can find. You may end up going
in some other direction. For example, truck driving is
physically easier than being a mechanic in the heat. Further,
it shouldn't be too tough to beat $11/hour. All I can think
is that there must be some strange circumstances behind making
only $11 an hour as a mechanic out in the heat.
Another resource is Matthew Lesko. Look for his books when
you're looking for A+ books in your local library system.
His material is good for turning special (and seemingly
unfortunate) circumstances into free money for training and/or
starting a business.
| Quote: | I take on computers
of friends to fix, I build computers, do you computer tech guys think I
could ever learn enough, to actually have job at this.
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That's hard for me to say. I'm 43. Learning stuff is harder
for me than it was 25 years ago. A lot of booze and meth under
the bridge in that time. That's my story. I've pissed away
25 years pretty much living to suit myself. Before I started
this (training for a new career) I took an online IQ test to
reassure myself that I was still pretty sharp. The overall
test result was 135. 100 is considered average. I was ahead
of the intelligence curve years ago because I was offered a
chance to skip from 6th grade to 9th grade. It didn't happen
because my parents said no, but the point is that the
intellectual capacity was there. There's no way for people
here to know what your intellectual capacity might be.
If you're competent and disciplined, you can always fix/build
computers on the side and eventually grow that into a legitimate
business. You don't need an A+ or other certifications to work
with computers just like you don't need ASE certifications to
work on cars. They are proof of competence to show to others.
You don't need them to prove anything to yourself. You know
whether or not you can handle the work. Making money doing it
makes you a professional. Success or failure in business is
the real test.
| Quote: | Someday I'd like
to take the a+ exam, maybe?
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Have you looked into it at all? Do you know that the 2003
tests have been superseded by 2006 tests? That means the
books covering the 2003 tests, which are still useful, are
basically valueless. I remember someone here saying
something to the effect that if a person can handle the
2003 tests they will have an easier time with the 2006
tests. My point is you should be able to find 2003 books
with their associated disks in libraries for free loan or
for sale for next to nothing.
Another thing to think about is the testing costs. There
are two tests and each is over $100. A major benefit of
a subsidized training program is that the cost of books
and tests is saved. For me, setting aside the time to
home study is a challenge. A scheduled class is much
better for me. A subsidized class is perfect for me as
it deals with both the time discipline issue and the
cost issue. But that's just me. Your situation may
dictate a different approach.
In a nutshell, there are variables involved in this that
you have to examine and work out in a way that best suits
your situation.
Good luck,
Bill Eitner |
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