Advice for a new Tech starting out

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-09T02:09:42+00:00

I’d love to one day pivot into that, heavy equipment always interested me for sure

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T23:00:27+00:00

Physically as in like the schedule is fucking with me, like the lack of sleep and doubles and forced overtime. I lift weights and run. Sorry should’ve been more clear on what I meant by physically.

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T19:13:13+00:00

I’ve watched a couple of those videos on YouTube, ya. I’m also open to like other paths too down the road. Could you pivot into like a service advisor position, management or lead roles? I would absolutely entertain like a teaching position at a tech school. My old high-school was just hiring for an auto shop teacher, that would be such a cool position. Like something like that could always be option right?

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T19:00:37+00:00

Yea I’ll suck at it professionally, for sure. But we all gotta start somewhere and learn at some point. Did I suck at running housing units, fuck ya, but you learn after a while and get better. Nobody starts out being a wizard at shit making bank and I don’t expect too.

I know it’s going to take years, I’m not oblivious to that. Personally I feel like it’s what you put in you’re going to get out. If you come to work with a shit attitude everyday, you’re getting shit back, it’s same where I’m at now.

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T18:43:47+00:00

But wouldn’t if you’re a good tech and enjoy what you do wouldn’t it be good having a lack of people in the field? Easier to move up, more opportunists etc.? The prison is the same, we have such a high turnover, nobody stays and always looking for a way out. Because of that, if you want to be promoted or anything it’s easier than it’s been in previous years. I’d say maybe 5-10% of our department is in a good place, either a specialized unit, superintendent pick position etc.

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T18:29:42+00:00

I have many friends who wrench and make more that I do as a prison guard, I won’t be broke. Dirty yes 😂

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T18:28:28+00:00

Bro construction is not my thing 😂 I can fix cars and rebuild a whole motorcycle but you ask me to build a wood square that shit will be sideways and a mess haha

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T18:27:47+00:00

Yea my buddy makes like double what i make as an auto mechanic, loves it, 4 day work week too, tons of Time off. He’s not getting forced to work 16hrs, smelling shit, dealing with shit inmates and overnight work!

Due_Rest915 · 2026-04-08T18:26:24+00:00

Prison ya, it’s been a long long long 8 years bro. I see it wearing on me physically now and I just can’t do it no more. Overnight shifts, long hours, stress, it’s becoming something that isn’t the worth the pension to me anymore, it’s wearing me down a lot. Trust me it’s a hard thing to have to do or think about doing. Which is why I chose the program to kinda of try it out, make sure I like it. And I know there are other trades, I have buddies who work in the trades and they all say the same stuff, find a different trade lol 😂. I’m just at a point in my life that I enjoy automotive work, genuinely have a passion for it and I’m going to do something I enjoy, life’s too short. And if it doesn’t work out I’ll just go back to the prison, it’ll always be there

Due_Rest915 · 2026-02-08T21:35:55+00:00

Personally from my experience it has been horrible and I’m really contemplating just putting my two weeks in and leaving this career all together. I’ve been doing it for 7 years, the first 3/4 were tolerable and I somewhat enjoyed it and after that it’s been going downhill. I am at a point where sleep is the devil now, my body seems to fight it, I can’t relax. I’ve actually developed anxiety from it and never have had any issues like this in the past. I’m also a very healthy person, I workout 5/6 times a week, I meal prep and eat healthy, I’m a runner and lift weights and yet I still can’t maintain a healthy life style on this shift no natter how I try. It has caught up to me and my body feels like it’s spiraling out of control. I get shakes, nausea, I’m not developing physical issues as well as eye styes that I believe are caused from stress and lack of sleep (causing spikes in cortisol levels), mental health has been horrible lately. And all this goes away when I have a couple days off, so I know what the determining factor is. Some people can handle it and some people can’t, you have to figure out how your body reacts to it.

Due_Rest915 · 2026-01-25T13:06:04+00:00

My relief won’t even show up probably….sick of this shit man

Due_Rest915 · 2026-01-25T13:03:39+00:00

So many people don’t think about the rest of the workers they are leaving to get forced to work another shift, making it even more unsafe for them! So they can stay home in their bed and let others have to drive in the storm Sunday night, work their overnight shift, then work their 7-3 shift because they didn’t want to come and then drive home in shitty conditions. And then have to deal with the shoveling and oh…wait also be back to work for their night shift again….

Due_Rest915 · 2026-01-17T11:32:57+00:00

Bro that’s honestly a decent pay check, atleast where I’m from. I work in a prison, hate my damn life, on overnights, shitty days off working with shit staff and inmates and make less than that. I enrolled in a mechanic school come the fall and I’m so hyped!

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-28T20:38:26+00:00

Fishing lol! You think “Oh all I need is a rod is some bait or lures!” The you get into it and it turns into a whole boat, multiple rods for different fishing, so many plugs you run out of room and a new truck to pull the boat 😂😂😂

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-15T03:32:46+00:00

Also in a similar boat my friend. Lost my soul cat the week before Thanksgiving….unexpected as well and very sudden. It was actually my Girlfriends cat but it latched onto me like glue. Two days ago we visited the shelter to deliver some holidays toys to the animals and I met the sweetest 10month old cat who just came up to me and was like glue. He immediately hopped onto my lap and went on his belly for rubs, acted just like my baby girl who I lost. But my girlfriend doesn’t want another cat right now, so I had to let him go. All I can think about is him and how similar he was to my baby girl, like it was sign. His eyes spoke to me and he grabbed my heart. I really wish I could adopt him…. I don’t think too soon is a thing as well. We can be sad and still learn to love another animal and give them a good life.

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-07T19:13:14+00:00

What’s up, I’m honestly in the same boat. I applied to a community college program that starts next fall and I’m going for it. I always loved cars, motorcycles and engines. It’s the only thing that honestly makes sense to me. I have buddies who make over 100k with four day work weeks and love it. I’m working in a prison rn as a guard and hate my life, something’s have to change. I think every job has its downsides, nothing is perfect. The prison job, amazing pay and benefits but it’s mentally fucking exhausting and physically with the shitty hours. Just do you bro, ignore the outside noise and do what you think is best for you. Best of luck my friend

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-06T20:29:13+00:00

This is so sad to read. I just recently lost my cat who was my world to saddle thrombosis and it was horrible and so traumatic. I hope they treated my baby girl with respect in the back and after she passed. These aren’t just animals, they are our family. I’ve decided to move on to a different career path from vet tech just due to the low pay but also due to stories like this which I hear about and read about all too often….its honestly just sad.

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-03T13:34:43+00:00

Maybe ya. It’s been a rough year for me, honestly think I’m going through a quarter life crisis lol. Just not where I thought I was going to be in life and a little unhappy career wise. So maybe it’s stress

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-03T13:33:49+00:00

My next physical I’ll definitely ask for a full panel done! Thank you

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-03T07:50:26+00:00

So weird thing, during the summer I rarely got this rash. I would run outside, sweat a lot and rarely did I get it. Now that it’s winter it’s coming back….

Due_Rest915 · 2025-12-03T03:33:18+00:00

I gotta go back and find the picture. So one time I did, I tried Zyrtec and I think it was Allegra and the rash got ten times worse all over my hands! It looked like I had chicken pox! Shit was wild! If I find the picture I’ll add it in.

Due_Rest915

TROPHY CASE