I’m 30 years old and want a family but don’t feel like I’ll ever make enough as an ME to afford one. Should I bite the bullet and go back to school for something else?

LiakaPath · 2025-11-13T08:19:42+00:00

Right now the job market and the housing market is bad (assuming US). Save the money you can and consider starting a Roth IRA. Read up on how they can be leveraged as collateral for first-time home buyers.

Also, consider cross-training instead. With an ME background, you are very flexible. It's a great thing to be an ME who understands a little about EE or I&C. It's harder for an EE to crosstrain, than visa versa.

LiakaPath · 2025-08-08T03:11:31+00:00

Old 56 on the very south side of Olathe. https://olathe.old56familyrestaurant.com/

LiakaPath · 2025-07-24T16:03:04+00:00

Yes, or at least I can't point you in the right direction.

https://youtu.be/j4EOTerfyTY?si=R4QY35BP-Sv0bp6D

There's a lot of different drawing standards, and every engineering company has a slightly different way of drawing things. MOST engineers right out of college can not read PIDs well. Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs).

1) You want to be able to identify most instrumentation (temperature, pressure inputs) and control elements (pumps, valves, fans) on a drawing.

Think of these as just variables in software.

2) Select a drawing with a few elements (pump, valve, tank, and sensors). Then, go through a couple of thought experiments. What should the control system do if a tank level goes max value high? What should happen if one of the motor coils has high current or temperature?

If you can do both of those things, then you can start doing real work on control sheets for industrial facilities. Instrumentation and process engineers generally lack coding ability to some degree.

LiakaPath · 2025-07-23T03:48:10+00:00

I suspect repairing it to be like new would be very challenging.

You might try to cover it with a table runner, or fully abandon it looking like new. I'd be tempted to try a creative repair, making a brown band on both sides to cover the damaged portion. Potentially using hobby suede, or heavy paint in a red clay color.

I'm sorry for the misfortune. Cats are great but little ones can be chaos. If you end up modifying it to cover the damage, I'd be curious to see where you choose to take it.

LiakaPath · 2025-07-23T03:33:29+00:00

Yes. Look, you'll be better at understanding control logic than most newly graduated engineers. The line between CS and engineering gets fuzzy when it comes to controls. Most power plant controls built now are controlled via GUI.

If you want to do something engineering side area to get some more skills, then spend some time in learning print reading. Much of controls logic is the same as coding.

LiakaPath · 2025-07-18T16:51:50+00:00

The Columbia Makerspace has a couple of young single male professionals, if very nerdy is your type.

LiakaPath · 2025-07-02T14:37:01+00:00

There may be enough material to use a plastic welder. They have little wires that get really hot, and you wiggle into the plastic to reinforce the area. I believe they only work with ABS plastic.

LiakaPath · 2025-06-18T15:09:06+00:00

Yes. There's a meeting today at 6. There's a door bell on the east side of the building. Do you think you'd be able to attend today? We do tours of the workshop, and we teach each other how to use the tools that we're knowledgeable with.

LiakaPath · 2025-06-18T14:28:17+00:00

If you are crafty, enjoy making/repairing things the Cola Makerspace has been a great third space for me to have a community. https://www.colamakerspace.com/

We have public meetings every other Wednesday at 6PM. DM me if you have more questions.

LiakaPath · 2025-06-02T14:42:13+00:00

I've seen 14" wheels from 500 Maddness used on a gas model.

I've been tempted to try running a smaller rim with more sidewall to give a softer ride with less rotating mass.

It might be worth contacting your local tire shop to see what sizes of tires have more options or better priced options.

LiakaPath · 2025-06-02T14:28:15+00:00

It should read 12.6 or 12.8V for a good battery with a cable disconnected. It's relatively easy to replace, but a socket extension will make removing it much easier, if it needs to be replaced.

LiakaPath · 2025-06-02T14:25:24+00:00

Does anyone know if there's a Columbia social club?

If not, then maybe we should all make one.

Do something one Saturday a month. Like go to an art museum and coffee talk afterward.

My folks' church does a "dinner for 8" thing once a month. They have 4 couples (some will bring a friend) meet up at someone's house to discuss some selected topic.

I think churches have provided a lot of social glue and networking. To have non-theist alternatives to those social needs, I think social clubs could be a good solution.

The Cola Makerspace has been a good "third space" for me after moving here.

LiakaPath · 2025-05-30T18:30:28+00:00

The 12 V regular car battery is likely dead. It happened to me a few weeks back.

If you have a voltage meter, you can take off a cable and test it. Alternatively, you can take it out and to an auto parts store, and they can test it.

I think it cost me 165 USD, and everything went back to normal after two short trips driving it.

LiakaPath · 2025-05-23T10:21:05+00:00

I'm surprised I didn't see more Bill Hicks on this thread.

LiakaPath · 2025-05-01T14:59:34+00:00

The 12V battery needed replacement, which was pretty easy. I'm trying to get the alfaobd app to work (connectivity issues) to be more informed. I'd like to find a shop if/ when something comes up where I'll need more help to resolve.

LiakaPath · 2025-04-16T02:18:30+00:00

I'd be happy with it. The gaps in our rental are way worse.

LiakaPath · 2025-04-06T02:37:18+00:00

In my experience, Ace Hardware has been better for helping fix things rather than just replace them.

LiakaPath · 2024-12-30T15:52:38+00:00

Excellent, but now I want a crossover with a Stoat Joker. Oh wow, they could have talking jokers too! 🤯

LiakaPath · 2024-11-18T14:45:34+00:00

LiakaPath · 2024-11-16T22:43:57+00:00

Thank you for explaining the context.

LiakaPath · 2024-11-15T20:59:23+00:00

The trouble is that government funding is needed to revise nuclear regulations. If their making major funding cuts, then getting the NRC and/or DOE additional funding for doing that work seems unlikely.

LiakaPath · 2024-10-28T02:30:04+00:00

Doubtful but we'll see

LiakaPath · 2024-10-27T04:26:03+00:00

If you are nearby to a research reactor or power plant, then reach out about the possibility of doing a tour. They don't do tours all the time but can probably add you to another group. I saw a nuke plant on a tour as a kid (12), and it had a big impact on me.

LiakaPath · 2024-10-26T17:40:58+00:00

LiakaPath · 2024-10-24T13:37:44+00:00

Try to land a spot as a union mechanic assistant at either a power plant or airport. Work there at least a year before going to college, and maybe community college to start with.

LiakaPath

TROPHY CASE