# Want to become a mechanic any advice on how to get started without school **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2025, 11:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738 "2025-01-18T11:23:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![smc85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@smc85](https://community.cartalk.com/u/smc85)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/41 "2025-01-19T15:55:44Z")
Yeah my schooling was affordable it was the lo payment the reason i took long paying it off ill look into it because im almost done with this payment yeah it took awhile because i have other debt but thats life im working on it ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/42 "2025-01-19T20:52:23Z")
A friend of mine was a welder making garbage dumpsters, boring job, no future, poor pay , shaky company. He got a job with a small steel company, much better pay, retirement plan, health benefits, more interesting work. Look around for other job opportunities, a good welder can make decent money ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/43 "2025-01-19T21:33:40Z")
> [@SteveCBT](#): > > a good welder can make decent money My main concern for someone thinking of entering that profession is the possible adverse health effects from breathing welding fumes. I wonder if there are any studies comparing a welder’s expected life-length & overall health vs other occupations? ---
**Author:** ![oldnotdeadyet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a6a055/32.png) [@oldnotdeadyet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldnotdeadyet)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/44 "2025-01-19T21:50:25Z")
Yes, Johnstown has a metro area and even has a symphony. However, before the OP considers moving, I recommend that he evaluate how much he likes snow. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/45 "2025-01-19T22:32:22Z")
I’m a retired self employed mechanic who DIY;d my way into the business beginning when points and drum brakes were SOP. And 20 years ago my best mechanic earned $50,000/year here in the poorest paying state in the country. I’ll just ditto those who suggest you find a good public school to be a mechanic or search for a job where your skills are appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/46 "2025-01-19T22:40:58Z")
> [@Rod-Knox](#): > > DIY;d my way into the business beginning when points and drum brakes were SOP. I’m always amazed how easy it is to find brake and ignition replacement parts for my 50+ year old truck. You’d think it would be next to impossible, but there’s often half dozen different choices a the parts store, and more than that on-line. . ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/47 "2025-01-19T23:00:02Z")
Old pickups (pre 1965) are selling today for exponentially more than their new price. ---
**Author:** ![smc85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@smc85](https://community.cartalk.com/u/smc85)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 12:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/48 "2025-01-20T12:13:41Z")
I think about this all the time that’s another reason why im looking in to other careers ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/49 "2025-01-20T13:45:58Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > My main concern for someone thinking of entering that profession is the possible adverse health effects from breathing welding fumes. I wonder if there are any studies comparing a welder’s expected life-length & overall health vs other occupations? > [@smc85](#): > > I think about this all the time that’s another reason why im looking in to other careers Cause automotive oils/fluids, brake cleaners, carbon monoxide, carb cleaners, battery’s etc etc etc are all good for you… 🤦‍♂️ The are still a lot of old mechanics out there… Aches and pains is what gets most of us… lol ---
**Author:** ![smc85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@smc85](https://community.cartalk.com/u/smc85)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/50 "2025-01-22T00:10:06Z")
I hear what you’re saying but i can only go off my trade and im not looking to argue with anyone im just here to learn ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738/51 "2025-01-22T12:33:04Z")
Just a general comment… Any worthwhile career requires training/education/skill development to begin and will continue to require additional training/education/skill development throughout your career. The skills necessary to work as a Master Mechanic today are obvious but have you fully explored and developed the skills necessary wo work as a Master/Technical Welder? My point is that practically every entry level job becomes boring, repetitive and poorly compensated but with additional training and experience that can change. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/want-to-become-a-mechanic-any-advice-on-how-to-get-started-without-school/198738.md?page=2)