New to the field (not mechanically inclined)

SocialWorkertoHvac · February 28, 2018, 07:06:25 PM

Keep it short as possible:

Coming from a social worker background (2.5 years)
age 24
Switching fields to support family (if you're wondering my motive which I know isn't a good motive)
Currently a free laboror as a helper(for 2 weeks so far)
Getting my g3/g2 at standford college in the meantime
Having a hard time picking up the trade and I read online that if you are not good, no one will hire you. With my background, I doubt anyone will hire a social worker who never touched a power tool (until my helper position)

Do i quit? The guys at the place I "volunteer" at, smirk at how I never worked with tools...I second guess myself, should I leave the field? I want to do a trade to support my family but I feel I am not marketable compared to other guys who have been hammering since age 5. Should I drop out, get a refund and go back to social worker or stick this out for atleast 2 years?

QUESTION: If you were an employer, would you hire someone with my background?

Admin · February 28, 2018, 07:47:16 PM

Don't be discouraged. It took me 3 years before I felt competent. Even after a 2 year College course I was green and did alot of learning in the field. It will payoff if you stick with it. At your age I wouldn't do something your not happy doing though. You still have lots of time! If you are inclined to work in a trade I think you picked the best one.

NoDIY · March 01, 2018, 11:01:28 PM

I did the 2 year course at Algonquin (when it was a 2 year HVAC program) I was 19 at the time... I had no clue what i had signed up for lol. At 19 didnt know what a damn furnace was LOL! That said being in class for the full program sure helped. I was lucky enough to be hired before I graduated. I was hired as a service tech(not an installer) IT was trial by fire for sure, i had some good guys to work with that where willing to help out. I caught on quickly. But the reality of customers and the real thing outside the classroom was scary at first..

It takes time, within 6 months i got tossed on the full service rotation along with the oncall rotation

It does take a few years to really really feel comforable with the job.. So take the time and grind it out.. Dont be afraid to ask for help..

ADMIN:

you could use some more techs?

tenletters · March 02, 2018, 06:35:46 AM

I still look stupid using power tools lol I never used tools before this and I'm a few years in.

Porcupinepuffer · March 05, 2018, 02:20:40 PM

I'm one of those guys who's been swinging a hammer since he was born and did all sorts of hands on projects from a young age. This doesn't mean I have some huge edge over a guy who probably spent a good portion of his life behind a desk in a suit. If you can shovel a fork to your face with food, you can quickly learn how to use your tools for the jobs. You'll probably take longer to get a good feel for proper torque tightness through trial and error, but it comes fast.

I still look goofy the odd-time I use a tool. Particularly when I go to use the chipper on the hammer drill and don't realize the last guy that used it left it on rotary and I go spinning right across the wall.

Ohh, and employer's don't really know ahead of time you're good or not before they hire you. They certainly don't want lousy ones, but it's hard to really know if someone sucks until they've been doing work for them. The fact that you do have a helper position, you should be on the right track... How much longer is your g3/g2 course? I'd at least finish the G3 before making any decision to drop it.

SocialWorkertoHvac · March 05, 2018, 09:05:47 PM

Quote from: NoDIY on March 01, 2018, 11:01:28 PM
I did the 2 year course at Algonquin (when it was a 2 year HVAC program) I was 19 at the time... I had no clue what i had signed up for lol. At 19 didnt know what a damn furnace was LOL! That said being in class for the full program sure helped. I was lucky enough to be hired before I graduated. I was hired as a service tech(not an installer) IT was trial by fire for sure, i had some good guys to work with that where willing to help out. I caught on quickly. But the reality of customers and the real thing outside the classroom was scary at first..

It takes time, within 6 months i got tossed on the full service rotation along with the oncall rotation It does take a few years to really really feel comforable with the job.. So take the time and grind it out.. Dont be afraid to ask for help..

ADMIN: you could use some more techs?

Hmm 6 months ey. Maybe i shouldn't rush

SocialWorkertoHvac · March 05, 2018, 09:06:52 PM

Quote from: Admin on February 28, 2018, 07:47:16 PM
Don't be discouraged. It took me 3 years before I felt competent. Even after a 2 year College course I was green and did alot of learning in the field. It will payoff if you stick with it. At your age I wouldn't do something your not happy doing though. You still have lots of time! If you are inclined to work in a trade I think you picked the best one.

Wow so i guess im not alone on this one

SocialWorkertoHvac · March 05, 2018, 09:07:59 PM

Quote from: Porcupinepuffer on March 05, 2018, 02:20:40 PM
I'm one of those guys who's been swinging a hammer since he was born and did all sorts of hands on projects from a young age. This doesn't mean I have some huge edge over a guy who probably spent a good portion of his life behind a desk in a suit. If you can shovel a fork to your face with food, you can quickly learn how to use your tools for the jobs. You'll probably take longer to get a good feel for proper torque tightness through trial and error, but it comes fast.

I still look goofy the odd-time I use a tool. Particularly when I go to use the chipper on the hammer drill and don't realize the last guy that used it left it on rotary and I go spinning right across the wall.

Ohh, and employer's don't really know ahead of time you're good or not before they hire you. They certainly don't want lousy ones, but it's hard to really know if someone sucks until they've been doing work for them. The fact that you do have a helper position, you should be on the right track... How much longer is your g3/g2 course? I'd at least finish the G3 before making any decision to drop it.

Thats actually well put. Good analogy too. I shouldn't envy guys who had a head start.

superheatedvapor · April 20, 2018, 02:09:36 PM

I started at age 23 and hadnt used a screwdriver in my life at that point, very low mechanical inclination. Im 28 now and do residential service with low call backs and a good customer record. I would say start off doing PMs and build confidence. The single best thing that helped me was going home and reading product manuals online and figuring out how different manufacturers do things, although the basics are pretty much the same at the core and you should learn those in school.

Hvacpimp · May 23, 2018, 03:18:08 PM

I was the same way. I went from working in a grocery store to being a helper. It took me a few years as well to catch the trade. The best advice I can give you is make as many contacts as you can. If you are good you will make $$$ and get noticed. There is a lot of hackers out there so don't get discouraged. Even if you are bad, you will not be the worst! From my experience, try to stay away from the trunk slammer companies. They will not pay you accordingly.
Good luck and keep at it!