low blow, and also it doesn't even make sense. Try again.

Also, all you have to do is do it, then people won't say "Blah blah blah, you can't do it," because you did. If it's so easy go do it and stop *****ing.

The trouble with tech degrees and related jobs is how they can become obsolete. A lot of automechanics are now ****ed because they can't work on modern systems that have heavily integrated electronics. Especially something that's completely drive-by-wire like the Prius, a traditional mechanic is as good as ****ed.

It's the same thing with tech degrees, especially places like ITT-Tech where it isn't an education so much as "training." Take software for example. You have ITT-Tech graduates that have taken courses in "Java programming," then you have people with four year degrees in computer science or software engineering. Guess which one's going to get the job...

Aviation is a little different.

An airframe and powerplant certified mechanic is no different than the next. However you're only allowed to sign off on work if you've done it before.

Basically, I'm allowed to do anything that falls into either realm, as long as someone who has inspects it and signs it off. From that point on I can do the work as well.

The only thing I can't do are inspections, you need to hold your licenses for three years to be inspection authorized, and you have to go to class for that too.

Even then, would you believe that a mechanic who knows more about older equipment is currently more useful? At the start of my career I'm going to be practically useless, because all I've learned about and tested on are newer technologies and concepts.

Planes aren't anything like cars. They're in service for years. How long does the average driver keep a car? How long do they bother going to a dealer for service before finding a specialist?

Er, I wasn't talking about that specifically... obviously airplane mechanics are different from car mechanics.

I was more lamenting that learning about anything new at school is useless.

Obsolete is what they put in the exams, obsolete is 85% of the work you do.

Uh, no.

EM field theory doesn't change over time. Calculus doesn't change over time. Even software design principles (separation of concerns, etc) doesn't change. Maybe the semiconductor physics you learn won't be applicable to non-silicon devices of the next 50 years, but the theory is still solid and (usually) useful somewhere. The foundation of theory is what never changes, which is why it's useful. It's always what you don't get at a technical school.

Ok, ok... I admit my words were smarmy and pretentious. I sincerely want to be a humble person, but I understand it's a work in progress, and it's easy to come off as an ***hole (especially on the Net). Take that or leave it and continue to be vindictive as you please. I agree that many "successful" people have to put up with a lot of naysayers who discourage them from doing what they do on account of the difficulties, etc.. I never said it was easy. Also, career development is a long process. If everyone took Rob or West Wind's mentality to heart, no one would accomplish anything great.

Rob jeers,
"People that still believe that by simply working hard they will succeed are the ones that are crushed the most when they find out that this simply isn't true at all."

I agree that hard work alone does not equate "success." What's your strategy, Rob? Don't work hard and you'll succeed or you don't want to succeed?

My strategy?

Well for one I don't tell people I'm going to be balls *** rich all the time because I don't need important on internet credibility to feed a starving ego. I might brag about being well off, but usually on the "I'll get laid more because *****es dig mechanics over programmers" sense.

My strategy sir is to just not be homeless and pay my loans when I'm done with school and to maintain a social life. And to work in a field that is diverse enough that I can do tons of ****ing different things.

Thats not what I meant.

Almost everything I'm learning about electrical systems (not components, but how they're put together) and instruments right now is almost useless to me, because the things I'll be wrapping my hands around right after school are 30-40 years old and we don't really but touch on things like that. The only useful parts I'll get are in airframe with sheet metal repair, because sheet metal repair is still in wide use.

A lot of powerplant is useful to me, because it's all older stuff but that is only because my school is poor.

It is true, but people do the wrong kind of hard work. People think that just knuckling down and doing a solid day's work is all it takes. Instead you need to spend your time making yourself invaluable, which means reading as much as you can about your industry and trying out new ideas. As soon as it becomes clear that you're not growing in your current job you need to switch.

What's up with all the CC? 75% of the first 2 years of College transfers to about 80% of every other major. In particular, if you're taking Environmental Policy Design, then you should probably have 90% of the Math, Science, Literature, History, electives, etc. for your A.S. in Civil Engineering. I mean, unless you've spent your first year of each major taking major specific electives...but that's just dumb. Why hasn't anyone else caught on to this yet???

I thought beards were mandatory for Jews?

Also Mormons are only about business if they go to LDS Business college downtown. A spiritual atmosphere to learn the ways of the world. They open class with a prayer.

Ugh.

I wish about 80% of my first major transferred to my current major...