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Not sure how the physical demands compare to auto repair, but is it possible that your friend might transition into an industrial maintenance role?
Young mechanic with bad back.
- Thread starter Snagglefoot
- Start date
Some people have the emotional maturity of a teenager (regardless of age), almost no one has good self-awareness and accurately reflects upon their behavior, and everyone is approaching situations from their own vested interests. If you look at the “public” from this lens people’s actions start to make a lot of sense.
That is kind of how I ended up in parts. I hurt my back at Sears, and it got a bit better but still hurts. I had worked where I work new 20ish years ago as an apprentice and one of the techs drove by and said there was an opening in parts, almost 19 years later and here I am. I do strongly feel having a hands on automotive background makes for a much better parts person. If anything I have somewhat of a grasp of what needs to come off to do a job and what should be tossed and replaced while doing those jobs.
Getting on board at a dealer parts department is usually not an easy task and you usually start as a driver or parts puller before working the counter. I was tossed in the deep end and either am somewhat decent at my job or make a lot of good guesses. Money is pretty good too once you are on commission.
Lots of former Mechanics (myself included) have gone on to other to other successful careers. I started transitioning away by taking night classes.
How old is he and what’s his education?
I believe he’s 28 and has his Red Seal mechanics ticket or something like that. Not sure about the rest.
Thanks for the response. I learned the automotive trade while in HS and put myself through college as a tech. He should start by working on a degree - technical college or regular college. A degree would open up so many opportunities for him. Not easy! I know. But it’s a way to move forward. Work and don’t take out loans. I was on the 7 year plan for college. Lots of granola and PP&J too.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
With a wife and 2 small kids his path to a degree of some sort is going to require sacrifice. No word if wife works but $50k is tough to live on for a family in lots of areas. Got to get healthy.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
The guy who was a tech at my shop that got hurt transferred to sales and sells cars. It wasn’t a back injury for him though it was a shoulder injury when the chain on the cherry picker snapped and flew back into his shoulder. Most former techs I know are either tool truck drivers or service advisors. My Matco dealer is a former tech of 30+ years.
The days my back hurts I think it’s bad but I can’t imagine the pain this guy feels. Hate to hear that he is going to have to switch jobs.
The days my back hurts I think it’s bad but I can’t imagine the pain this guy feels. Hate to hear that he is going to have to switch jobs.
Between wrenching as a side gig, and doing construction full time, I've had 2 back fusions done already. Herniated discs usually get better on their own, but some require surgery. He needs to consult a back surgeon to find out his options. In the meantime, I suggest he does some sort of " light duty" work at his current job, ( oil changes or transmission services ). He is still young and can bounce back from this fairly quickly. Personally, I had 2 herniated discs, and continued construction and wrenching for 20 + years before needing surgery. But, everyone is different. A good back surgeon will lay it on the line for him. I retired from construction, and I'm still wrenching as a side gig, even with the back fusions. I feel his pain, and wish him all the best. I wouldn't " jump the gun" and switch careers just yet.
You are not bulletproof, my friend, though you are at the age where you think you are.
If your back is hurting now, you need to make some significant changes to your exercise, stretching, and work habits.
You are far too young to be having back problems, and if you don’t change direction now, through taking better care of it, you are signing yourself up for a lifetime of pain and difficulty.
I was repairing medical equipment for a major manufacturer and it easy on your body.
He can apply for job with various manufacturers and this job is much lighter duty than a vehicle mechanic.
You just need $500 of tools cause everything easy to disassemble. All calibrated test equipment provided by manufacturer.
Field service engineers pay the best but lots of travel.
You've been preaching this, for what feels like forever. This sounds like a great opportunity, but nobody is listening!
If I was able to jump on this, I would have done so myself! What four years ago?
"Walk a thousand miles and see nothing, or walk a mile and see everything"
Have been doing Osteo and PT prescribed exercises for almost 40 years now because of many injuries to back and knees. Were I to do it all over again I would change careers.
Again, at 28 if he undergoes surgery the likelihood of another 20 years mostly pain-free is very high.
Now, this is assuming a simple herniated disc (or even a couple). If he needs a fusion, THAT is a very different affair and most docs simply won't fuse at that age. I don't know where artificial discs are in the U.S. today.
He should start PT and jump through the hoops required before surgery. If none of that is enough and he is a candidate for surgery, DO IT. I lost way too many years in my late 20's due to SEVERE back pain. After awhile you just try to tell yourself this is the new normal, but it doesn't have to be.
Now, this is assuming a simple herniated disc (or even a couple). If he needs a fusion, THAT is a very different affair and most docs simply won't fuse at that age. I don't know where artificial discs are in the U.S. today.
He should start PT and jump through the hoops required before surgery. If none of that is enough and he is a candidate for surgery, DO IT. I lost way too many years in my late 20's due to SEVERE back pain. After awhile you just try to tell yourself this is the new normal, but it doesn't have to be.
Just another angle… hire a professional resume writer to capture his knowledge, commitment, and intelligence to craft a resume to present to both private and municipal (including law enforcement) fleet departments. He can manage a fleet shop to include his knowledge of specification writing for vehicles and equipment. May not be top dealership technician salary but it’s fixed pay to include a fixed schedule with benefits and retirement. Insurance for family alone is a huge win.
You've been preaching this, for what feels like forever. This sounds like a great opportunity, but nobody is listening!
If I was able to jump on this, I would have done so myself! What four years ago?
"Walk a thousand miles and see nothing, or walk a mile and see everything"
I don’t know about preaching but just mentioning it.
Most people don’t realize there’s people in the background repairing, testing, calibrating and performing preventative maintenance on all equipment at the hospital.
General biomed equipment, diagnostic imaging, laboratory / chemistry analyzers, open heart, robotics, etc…
When I was working at hospitals I would give tours on Saturday of the various procedure rooms and specialized equipment for people that might be interested in this field. Had lots of stories to tell from experience seeing different problems and funny / not so funny stories over the years of working on equipment. Mon - Fri was too busy to do a tour but most people in general just expect the equipment to work similar to a TV.
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