| Author | Message | ||
     Whistle |
Where to start? Isn't that always the question? What is the best path to take on our road in life to get to the place we want to be and be what we want to be. Most of us had dreams of being firefighters, cops, jet pilots, race car drivers, or astronauts...Dear old Dad had me learn the mantra "When I grow up I'm going to drive fast cars and kiss the ladies!" That dream has morphed, grown and matured some through the years, although the basic premise is still the same. I'm married, but my Lab and her cat are female so I get to "kiss the ladies"-I've had a couple cool cars and now have a Hemi Ram so I get to drive a fast truck...but really where it all changed for me was when I found my true love-motorcycles...ahh yes...for most of us the addiction will never be satisfied. And that is a good thing for the most part-it drives us to work on our bikes-tweak them to get every last inch-pound of torque out of our motors, and it drives us to constantly improve our skills as riders. This is where it ends for some people. Not for me. I won't ever be fulfilled until I have a career I love in the motorcycle industry. So I set out with this goal in mind by becoming a Mechanical Engineer. That being done I set out to get a job in the M/C industry. That's where the cord was stretched taught across my road and I fell on my face. So now here I am working for Lockheed Martin at NASA in Houston. Before this I worked for LM Air Traffic Management Division in Rockville, MD, and simultaneously held a job at a small custom bike shop doing light maintenance work and the occasional top-end tear down, dyno pulls and the like. The new job, house and puppy are pretty demanding of my time so I have not yet gotten another job at a local bike shop. But my yearning for the job of my dreams will not sit idle in the back of my mind. I worry that the road I am going down is straying from where I want to end up. I'm 25 now and as the years slowly go by I'm getting further away from entry-level and closer to an experienced person, but still really lacking the experience and knowledge the only two companies I am interested in desire. I have recently been talking with the wife about quitting my job, selling the house and going to MMI or AMI for mechanic certification. But, alas, a career as a mechanic, although fun and rewarding, is not my final aim. I'm an engineer. But to complicate things I'm an engineer that is only truly happy when my hands are dirty and I'm troubleshooting, spinning wrenches and the like. So I ask myself, what sort of job description fits my skills and interests?!?! The best I can reason is some sort of R&D or testing engineer/tech. I have not yet seen a job posting by Harley asking for entry-level help, but I am in a quandry as to where I am supposed to get this kind of experience if it is not with them? Buell would be my first choice as an employer, but I have not yet even seen an HR or employment link on their website and do not know how they hire. Even if they did have an HR link I would probably simply ask the HR person what kind of experience they look for, and then I would go about trying to get it. Although working on my bike in my garage and riding it is good-I somehow don't see it as quite enough to satisfy my would be employer. I've thought about going for my PE license or perhaps grad school, but the winding road in front of me is turning into a maze and I'm starting to get dizzy and frustrated. So if there is anyone here who might be able to give some advice or guidance or know where I could find it, I would be most humbly appreciative. Regards, Nick | ||
| X1tx |
You'll probably be more financially successful working with Lock-Mart over there in EB than if you were working in the M/C industry. If you just can't get it out of your blood, see if you can work part time at a MC dealer. Better yet, for a fun factor go racing. If you can't afford to race a bike, join one of the CMRA teams as a pit crew. You'll learn more in one long weekend working on an endurance team pit crew than you will in months or working on your bike in the garage. There are some folks on site at JSC that race CMRA and could help you connect with a team that needs help. Guy in 46 knows a lot of race team folks. | ||
| Henrik |
I think that for what you're trying to achieve, *who* you know is more important than *what* you know. If you're truly willing to get in at floor level and work your way up, it may be possible to move to WI and keep pushing for a job, any job at Buell. However, networking and getting your name and your desire known may be a faster way to getting directly involved in the MC business. So try to find people and ways that will introduce you to people already in the industry, stay in touch and keep putting the word out. In the meantime, you need to think hard and formulate your plan: what *exactly* is it you would like to do? What would you be able to bring to a job/department? etc. The plan will likely be the most difficult aspect, but crucial to getting people to listen to you. Henrik | ||
| Whistle |
X1tx-Funny how small our world is! I think I've seen your bike on campus but haven't met you yet... I appreciate the suggestions...the far easier path for me is to simply work whichever jobs come my way, and just let life move me along-sort of like floating down river in a boat-maybe I'll never find that paddle or tiller, but I've got to at least look for it. I do worry about the financially successful thing now and again-the wife has her dreams of a large family and staying at home to raise the kids... The one thing I've learned real well so far is that growing up is never easy... ping me offline so I can meet up with some of the folks you know...thanks! Henrik-Good thoughts. The plan is the difficult part. In order to know what I need to bring to the table I need to know what role I would best fill, in order to know that I need to know what roles exist...thanks for your thoughts and time. | ||
| Bomber |
Motorcyclist used to have a listing of MC-related websites, including one for MC-industry related gigs -- I'll not repeat the statements others have made about the fiscal reqards of this kinda thing -- it's the same in photography, journalism, art, name the field that folks are drawn to by their hearst, rather than by their wallets -- but it is a concern, nonetheless, and I'm sure you're taking it into account appropriately growing up is WAY over-rated, sir -- I submit (and others on this board will happily demonstrate) that you can play a grown-up at work about 40% of the time, earn yer pay, support your family, and still not grow up -- wait'll Court, Road_Thing, Henrik, and others chime in -- ;-} | ||
| Whistle |
I'm with you on growing up Bomber-boys don't grow up, they just get older and their toys get more expensive! I have found some different jobs in the MC industry by searching MIJ.com, monster, etc. Most all of them were for folks with experience in the industry. Found a cool internship...that would have been nice FOUR YEARS AGO! I really would like to work for Buell though, so maybe someday I'll find an entry level MC type of job for an engineer that will give me some experience to make me more marketable to Buell. I'm going to need God on my side for this one!  | ||
| Mikej |
Nick, There are alternate doorways into the industry. Locally there is a brake company and a seat company, plus other component part companies around. Then there is the tooling end of the industry for another entry point. Diagonally there is the paper side, business and planning, engineering, logistics, marketing, sourcing, all necessary, and all to some extent approachable to someone currently outside the industry. Also keep your eye open for temp-to-hire opportunities as that is another way the MoCo and BuellCo recruits new recruits. Or just come up with your own stuff or skills. Who knows, one day they may be knocking on your door asking to come inside. Side line or main line, as long as it makes you happy then it's all good. | ||
| X1tx |
Or just design your own ride. Then sell them at ~$50k a pop and end up on TV like the Teutels. (I can't believe I just said that)  Did you happen to see that thing here where they're making one of those OCC pile..... uh, bikes as a 'tribute' the the Space Shuttle? Jeez.  Can't get AWAY from those guys........ | ||
| Road_thing |
WORK???  I have to get older, but I don't have to grow up! rt | ||
| Glitch |
I've often thought of the motorcyclist industry as a possible career move, but don't want that to do to me towards motorcycles, the way my career has done to me towards computers. Bomber, Road_Thing, I'm with ya'll, I refuse to grow up. If you don't believe me just ask Ann, I'm sure she'll have a story or two... | ||
| Newblaster |
Not to try and hijack the thread, but... I'm planning on breaking into the industry in a few years, myself. My plan is to go the MMI route. I've discovered that I enjoy wrenching, and it would be great to get paid to do it. So, my question is to anyone who has done this, I think there are a couple on the board. How is the program, how is the work, and how is the pay? Anything I need to do to pad my experience before going to MMI (to help my chances of getting in, or of getting hired afterwards)? What are the things I need to know? Any information would be great. Thanks in advance... | ||
| Outrider |
Just a suggestion, but if you are creative and can get your hands on some venture capital, design your own line of accessories and produce them either on or off shore. Then all you need to do is promote them via the MC Mags and special interest groups and then establish a dealer network. If you have a decent backup system at the home office, then you and whomever you wish to drag along can hit all the rally's that are prime for your product by bike (your rolling showroom) and make dealer calls enroute to the various rally's. One of the most significant benefits of starting out this way is that you will develop a pesonal working relationship with your dealers and consumers. After one or two seasons, everyone will know you by sight and look forward to exchanging information. You would be amazed at how many folks will voluntarily give your their new product ideas rather than pursue them themselves. Eventually, your company will grow and be able to afford to participate in some if not all the Cycle World IMS shows and that is when you can toy with keeping or selling the company and moving on to something else. The key is to have your display and merchandise shipped to the next rally via UPS. That way you always have the right stuff at the right place at the right time. Easy to plan and execute. However, two exhibit booths are best as you can leap frog them while the office ships you the inventory you need for each show. Sounds simple and is. I have known quite a few that broke into the industry this way and have worked their butts off all winter long to insure a successful selling season on the road. Not to mention you get to pay yourself for riding all over the country and write off the expenses. Other than that, if you feel you are worthy, I suggest you either move to your target companies home base and start networking. In lieu of moving, you may want to just invest your accrued vacation time in your future. If you come to the Milwaukee area, there is a plethora of subcontractors to meet and there are quite a few of us that can help introduce you around. Heck, I can even turn you onto the hotels and restaurants the out-of-state subcontractors hang at. It's up to you to do your own networking as I learned long ago that even the subs are sworn to secrecy just like my engineering pals at HD and I don't ever want to be the cause of someone loosing their contract or job. | ||
| Jrh |
You need to check around and see what kind of $ a beginning mechanic makes,hint,do you want to work for around $10 (or less) an hour? | ||
| T9r |
Whistle, Very interesting reading where you've been and what you've been up to. The path sounds very similar to what I wanted to do and where I've been. Back in 2002, when there were few ME jobs to be found, right out of college I thought about doing the mechanic route. I didn't though because I found ME job dealing with automotive testing. It was so close to what I wanted to be doing it has made me happy. If it's got an engine and wheels or tracks... I'm happy with testing it. I guess it would be best if you talked to engineers, or other, that work for those companies. Attend the Homecoming and find people that work for Buell or other MC companies and ask how they got where they were. It does seem to be who you know. Though getting my job, automotive testing, it was the automotive talent/know-how and personality. If I build up my skills here I could always look to venture out later on, but I don't think the wife would like moving to WI. A person builds bikes where it is cold because they spend less time riding them then folks in warmer climates. I ride too much to want to build em'. Like all of us, we'll donate our opinions and thoughts on new products, free of charge Mr. Buell. | ||
| Whistle |
T9r-Interesting-funny you and I sound pretty similar. Thanks for sharing your story. I had the same difficulty finding a job when I graduated in 2003. The job market for ME's has sucked lately. I'm lucky in that my wife is from Detroit, and would like to back to the midwest. I enjoy working on bikes a little bit more than I enjoy riding them, so I don't really care if the winter is sorta long...just gives me more time to do some wild-@ss $hit! Then again 5 months of winter with me fiddling in the garage could be dangerous! bwa ha ha ha! Thanks for all the great help so far guys! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Bomber, Road_Thing, I'm with ya'll, I refuse to grow up. If you don't believe me just ask Ann, I'm sure she'll have a story or two... Yup, I'm with you all on that one. Several years ago when my wife wanted to have a child, I told her I couldn't, until I grew up. She broke out, sobbing saying, "I'm NEVER going to have a baby". I gave in, and we now have a 3 year old boy. But I still refuse to grow up  | ||
| Bomber |
you can be your son's dad AND best bud -- growing up is not required for fatherhood! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Well of course  Like he says, "We're best buddies Dad!" | ||
| Bomber |
best thing you can ever hear -- ;-} | ||
| Roc |
You might consider a weekend gig as a MSF instructor. Your hands will be dirty and you will be troubleshooting. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Aw,RT.Bringing back memories.Maynard G. Krebbs,allergic to work--a four letter word---from good ol' Dobie Gillis. | ||
| Ztferrari |
Nick, your story is almost identical to mine, except that I have made this revalation a little over 1/2 of the way through my ME degree. I was attending texas A&M, and have all my lower level classes complete for my engineering degree (about 70 hours), and now I am back home with the parents while i figure my life out ahead of me. While working on things is something I love, and working on weird and not so common things is something I love even more (maybe thats why i bought an S2, or built a ferrari kit car on a datsun), I feel the only way I am going to be happy in life is to devote my career to something I love, such as bikes or cars. This leads me to another conclusion, at the top of every business or company, there is a person that makes a bunch of money doing something he or she loves, such as a speed shop. Look at hennessy for example. This guy gets paid top dollar to make fast cars even faster. Basically, its all the same wrench turning, problem solving skills that we all have, its just what you apply them to, and how you apply them that determines where you go in life. Granted, i'm only 21 and I am still very young, but I have been thinking about this for quite some time, enough to make me leave college and figure out whats going to make me happy. I think I would be much happier in life with a job I loved, only getting paid decent salary, rather than a job I hated and getting paid top dollar (such as a typical engineering job). I am going off on a rant but I have fears of still being in your/our situation a few years down the road. Why can I be a 25 year old millionare? They do exist. with all good intentions, Scott ztferrari@tamu.edu (Message edited by ZTFerrari on March 12, 2005) | ||
| Steveford |
Since 1990 I did bike parts and service part time while working for AT&T as a real job, built that up into a dealership (Moto Guzzi), got out of that and currently work for someone else's dealership (Harley and Buell). If anyone has specific questions, I'll be happy to answer them. The independent shop was hard work but very rewarding, my dealership was hard work, more money and very aggravating as the importer considers you to be an employee of sorts and as for working for another's franchise, being a small fish in another's pond can be very difficult at times. It's very nice not to have the worries that go along with ownership, though. From what I've been told by my coworkers, MMI is rather expensive, their job placement help is underwhelming and that you'd better not plan on working in Florda or Arizona as there's a flood of recent MMI grads willing to work for less money than they could make playing waiter at Red Lobster. The MMI info is all second hand, everything else I know for sure and have the wrinkles in my forehead to prove it! | ||
| Jeffb |
If you can deal with Wisconsin, S&S Cycle has hired about 15 engineers in the last year and there are a couple of positions still open. I need a good FEA guy with practical engine experience. Check out the web site and don't really pay attention to what is listed, just send your info. www.sscycle.com Jeff | ||
| T9r |
It seemed to me I found out if you want to go into the automobile industry and you want to be an engineer (ME/EE/ManufE/ect.) then graduating from a school around Michigan was beneficial. If you want to work for the Govt, defense or private industry contractor than around Maryland/VA area would be a good place to attend. THe mid west they have Catapillar, JDeere and others. Nobody can take the degree from you even if you don't count it as being worth much, employers still do. I was told once that it didn't matter what the degree was in so long as I had one, that is what he wanted to see. It showed that I was willing to stick with something to the completion. Scott-- Get the degree, you'll never regret it. Then build on it from there! THe last years of the ME courses get more fun and you more practical. (Message edited by t9r on March 14, 2005) | ||
| Jeffb |
Um, I have a mechanical engineering degree for MSOE. I am looking to hire engineers is what I meant. | ||
| Whistle |
Wow-Thanks Jeffb-It's really neat the people you meet on here! CRAZY! Thanks for all of the great feedback ya'll! I'm actually starting to feel like this might be possible some way, some how... Where there's a will, there's a way! -Oh yeah...for all you guys up in WI, and others up north still snow-bound...it was beautiful in the high 70's here all weekend! I rode enough for me and you! later, Nick | ||
| Newblaster |
Steveford--Hey, an answer! I thought my post had been lost in the flood of words. lol... Thanks for the info. I don't plan on working in AZ or FL after getting out. I doubt that I'll spend any more time than I have to spend in AZ. No offense to the people that live there, I just like being close to the ocean. Another question... Are there better places to go? As in, less tuition for the same amount of knowledge/employability? | ||
| Buell2001b |
Marry into the BUELL family, does Erick have any daughters! | ||
| Whistle |
That MIGHT work except I'm married. Plus by putting the suggestion here there is proof that my motivation is not true love...unless of course she happens to be beautiful AND rich AND likes bikes! hahaha Then it would definitely be true love! At this point I now have a plan...a brilliant plan I might add! I plan on applying to companies I'm interested in now and see if anything happens...wait it gets better...if nothing happens I'm simply going to build on my MC industry knowledge and experience. Pretty simple right? No $hit sherlock... Maybe get a job at a bike shop or race, or join a race team, maybe all of those. And then every summer I'll simply apply for jobs again! I think going at it like that should work pretty well. So does anyone know of any suppliers that are up in WI? I know about S&S now, thanks to Jeffb, but don't know any others...I know there have got to be more! Thanks again for all of your help here everybody! ride safe, Nick |
