You don't have to be a mechanic all your life, but if you start out that way, you will always have something to fall back on. I have always worked on my own stuff. Never thought I would be a mechanic by trade. When my manufacturing job (with Procter and Gamble) folded, I needed to work. I went up the street and went to work as a shop helper in a heavy equipment garage. Did that for about 6 months, then moved into a service truck as a field mechanic with same company. We worked on air compressors (portable and stationary), paving equipment, cranes, draglines, compactors, and anything anybody would haul to the shop. They sent me around the country to manufacturing schools, Matoon Illinois for Blaw-knox pavers, Sidney Ohio for LeRoi-Dresser air compressors, St. Paul Minnesota for American cranes. I loved working on equipment because it wasn't (at the time) all cramped up like working on automobiles. I got to travel and worked a lot. When my daughter was about 4 years old, she said I worked too much (gone a lot). So I gave up that job for a 40hr a week job as a mechanic for a utility co. In 2 years I was running their shop. It can be a great life (for some). The money is usually tied to your experience. Don't get sidetracked into specializing (in my opinion), say for instance strictly Fords, or a transmission mechanic. Learn to do it all. Electrical, hydraulic, etc. Good luck.
