2 answers
Owen
Student
Ramsey, Minnesota
6
Questions
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I am going online for my senior year of high school so that I can focus on taking classes on things that I want to learn about, and that will actually benefit my career. I plan on doing several apprenticeships and job shadowing. I am only 17 years old but I feel as though all of my peers have their lives figured out. I know that I want to work with my hands, I really love machines and learning about them, and I DO NOT want to spend my whole career sitting behind a screen. there are several different paths I can see myself taking. One, the trades route, where I would go into specified welding and machining work. Or, I take the engineering route. this would include a LOT of college and hopefully result in going into aerospace engineering. I guess I just want more clarity on what I should do from this point on. Just advice in general would be great :)?
I am going online for my senior year of high school so that I can focus on taking classes on things that I want to learn about, and that will actually benefit my career. I plan on doing several apprenticeships and job shadowing. I am only 17 years old but I feel as though all of my peers have their lives figured out. I know that I want to work with my hands, I really love machines and learning about them, and I DO NOT want to spend my whole career sitting behind a screen. there are several different paths I can see myself taking. One, the trades route, where I would go into specified welding and machining work. Or, I take the engineering route. this would include a LOT of college and hopefully result in going into aerospace engineering.
I guess I just want more clarity on what I should do from this point on. Just advice in general would be great :)
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2 answers
Trevon Henry
11
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Trevon’s Answer
Let's start by acknowledging that nobody really has everything figured out, even if they seem like it. You're already ahead by choosing a unique path at 17, focusing on apprenticeships instead of just sitting in a classroom.
Since you love working with machines and dislike the idea of a desk job, here’s a look at your options:
The Trades (Welding/Machining)
The Experience: You’ll use high skills and precision, with no cubicles in sight. You’ll see the results of your work every day.
The Reality: It’s physically demanding and can be tough on the body, but specialized welders, like those in aerospace, are highly valued and well-paid.
The Engineering Route (Aerospace)
The Experience: You’ll be the one figuring out how machines work and improving them.
The Reality: It involves a lot of school and math. While many engineers work at desks, Test Engineers and Field Engineers get to work hands-on in hangars and on the floor.
Advice for Your Senior Year:
Since you have the flexibility of online school, try both paths. 1. Visit a local machine shop and spend a few weeks shadowing a machinist to see if you enjoy the craft. 2. Reach out to a small local airfield to shadow a mechanic or technician. Aerospace is vast, and experiencing the hands-on side might help you decide if you want to fix planes or design them.
Remember, these paths can complement each other. Many top aerospace engineers started as machinists, giving them valuable insights into how materials behave, which enhances their design skills.
If you had to choose an apprenticeship tomorrow, where would you prefer to be: in a shop with a welding torch or in a hangar examining an engine?
Since you love working with machines and dislike the idea of a desk job, here’s a look at your options:
The Trades (Welding/Machining)
The Experience: You’ll use high skills and precision, with no cubicles in sight. You’ll see the results of your work every day.
The Reality: It’s physically demanding and can be tough on the body, but specialized welders, like those in aerospace, are highly valued and well-paid.
The Engineering Route (Aerospace)
The Experience: You’ll be the one figuring out how machines work and improving them.
The Reality: It involves a lot of school and math. While many engineers work at desks, Test Engineers and Field Engineers get to work hands-on in hangars and on the floor.
Advice for Your Senior Year:
Since you have the flexibility of online school, try both paths. 1. Visit a local machine shop and spend a few weeks shadowing a machinist to see if you enjoy the craft. 2. Reach out to a small local airfield to shadow a mechanic or technician. Aerospace is vast, and experiencing the hands-on side might help you decide if you want to fix planes or design them.
Remember, these paths can complement each other. Many top aerospace engineers started as machinists, giving them valuable insights into how materials behave, which enhances their design skills.
If you had to choose an apprenticeship tomorrow, where would you prefer to be: in a shop with a welding torch or in a hangar examining an engine?
Isida Mici
Cash Accountant
106
Answers
Tirana, Tirana County, Albania
Updated
Isida’s Answer
Hello Owen! Your inquiry has gone through my weekly mail. Connections matter as much as skills. Reach out to teachers, alumni, or professionals in fields you’re curious about. A short message asking for advice can open doors. Remember, most people enjoy sharing their journey—it’s how they give back. Come back again to Career Village for other questions. Don’t wait until you graduate to start learning. Free online courses, volunteering, or even small side projects can give you valuable experience. Employers often look for initiative and curiosity, not just degrees. Think of skills as tools—you’re collecting them now so you’ll be ready when opportunities appear. I can not help you so much because my expertise is in Finance, my work consists of being behind the monitor/screens, and I never try to work with my hands on different machines. To add more I live in Southeastern Europe - the Balkans :-). Tourism is our pain point and at the same time our strength :-).
Good luck with you endevours!
Good luck with you endevours!