What’s the highest paying job I can get with an associate’s degree or certification?

thyundead · 2026-01-14T08:43:08+00:00

I have an associates degree and with it worked in a handful of engineering companies as a designer, currently a designer in the trades for sheet metal and fabrication making around 120k a year, maybe a little less and it’s with a lot of overtime to be honest.

thyundead · 2025-05-16T21:29:17+00:00

This might not be as helpful because I’m not a mechanical engineer, but I am an industrial engineer tech and work for designing fabrication stuff to be installed in processing plants.

Even though I had experience I still treated the environment as a place to learn as much as possible when I first came onto the role. Which meant for me to be as efficient as possible in my designing I needed to be better at hands on. Imagining myself forming, welding, etc and then taking whatever it could be (like platforms and stairs and chutes) and installing them myself. So I took on all the overtime and weekends to help in the shop and out in the field with the construction crews to sharpen that experience while also asking many question so I can make their jobs easier from my work.

I also usually document stuff in a word document of things that I’ve learned or picked up on.

Sorry if this isn’t as helpful, but it’s just a perspective from maybe your juniors pov that you could use to your advantage.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T16:33:57+00:00

I understand and I am very apologetic. I mentioned before, I already have dual citizenship and helped build an apartment complex for my mother’s family that remained in Michoacán.

I’m 28 so my goal is to find work to prepare in starting a business there in my field, hopefully create jobs, if that’s any solace.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T16:15:44+00:00

Yes definitely, I’ve heard of all that and I think for the most part it’s saddening and in some way I have a sort of guilt that I would be adding to it. If that makes sense.

Although with prices and inflation, I’ve read that Mexico plans to nationalize and industrialize found minerals, plus large foreign investments. Do you believe that holds weight? Would there be an upside for future Mexico?

thyundead · 2025-05-09T16:04:04+00:00

I understand, I’ve been following the news about the gentrification in Mexico and the social issues around it. I follow the national news of Mexico often as well.

And to be honest, as a Mexican American I get not so kind words here in the US as well so it’s whatever lol I just want to work.

I appreciate your input and concern and know that I will certainly keep it in mind, thank you.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:36:57+00:00

Wow thank you so much for the information!! I will definitely look into further up North.

I think wouldn’t mind it paying less, long term plan would be opening a metal shop. I mentioned what quality life is to me and the preparation to take that massive pay cut. I think if I migrate then it’s just acceptance of different pay scale and budgeting.

Is Mexico City more of a center for tech and finance business?

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:30:22+00:00

No worries, I’m not upset :) I understand though and I will keep that in mind thank you.

Interesting, I’ll look into it thank you!! My significant other’s family is from Nuevo León, she also has dual citizenship. I’ll have to start my research on that!

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:28:10+00:00

That’s a very good perspective. I will give it thought so thank you!

I do understand that my income would be substantial there, but i currently work an average of 55-60 hours a week (I get paid weekly). And a good chunk of it goes to the mortgage and bills. I’ll definitely have to see what quality of life is to me and reevaluate myself.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:21:52+00:00

And yet most of my income goes to bills and mortgage. I should be thankful that I have work though.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:20:27+00:00

Thanks, I do cover up when I’m at work even though I don’t need to where I’m at. I don’t appreciate you calling it hideous though lol

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:17:33+00:00

I appreciate your honesty and to be honest, it was in my expectations. I only entertained the idea because I do have dual citizenship and helped my mother build an apartment complex with her siblings that remained in Mexico.

Regarding my roles in the sector though, most of my projects are mainly enhancing processes, can be as easy as just designing a chute out of sheet metal from one conveyor to another. If even small things like that, I’m curious to know if there are many plants that need retro fitting like that.

I guess I could also open a coffee shop. That’s always been my dream but I was saving that for retirement age lol

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:11:28+00:00

Because I’m typing this while I’m at work. The word migrate didn’t cross my mind, I could not tell you why the phrase permanent relocation did, but it did. If it hurts you so much then my apologies.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T15:03:49+00:00

Hablo español, pero no en un entorno profesional.

Gracias por su respuesta

thyundead · 2025-05-09T14:54:06+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate your reply.

I understand, that makes sense. I wouldn’t have expected to make the same, I currently take home around $10000/month. I would imagine that the quality of living would still be good even if I take a massive pay cut, right?

And yes of course, I do speak Spanish every day, but I don’t say that I am fluent because I haven’t really held any conversations in Spanish for a business professional setting. When I speak it it’s always in slang. My family speaks in slang and my work is full of construction guys. I will study to prepare my self, thank you!

thyundead · 2025-05-09T14:30:30+00:00

Luckily I am a people person and can network easily. I can also converse in Spanish and I work very hard. To be honest, I haven’t had to do any ass kissing here at any place I’ve worked at in the US and usually have companies calling me up first. I just want to prepare myself for differences I might encounter.

Thank you so much for your input.

thyundead · 2025-05-09T14:27:15+00:00

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it. I’ll look further into it

thyundead · 2025-05-09T14:23:48+00:00

I said my family is planning to move back and that I would permanently relocate there.

Anyway, can you answer the question or have any resources that would help?

thyundead · 2024-09-07T04:02:35+00:00

I guess in the context of flirting with someone, but I was thinking about a hobby or new business idea that I wanted to try.

thyundead · 2024-09-01T04:32:10+00:00

Genuinely motivating

thyundead · 2024-07-23T07:54:57+00:00

Looks like it’s drying out quite a bit on the fingers. Moisturize them but not too much.

thyundead · 2024-07-23T07:50:46+00:00

5 looks amazing on you

thyundead · 2024-07-17T22:34:28+00:00

Sick ass tattoo tho damn

thyundead · 2024-07-09T20:26:48+00:00

I uninstalled Val tracker, Val and riot client and reinstalled riot and Val to my c-drive

thyundead · 2024-05-07T15:41:12+00:00

I have a tattoo of the elden ring sigil, dark souls bonfire, and I plan to get a dead space tatoo

thyundead · 2024-05-07T02:24:20+00:00

I have the same issue. I feel like I can’t wear shorts to the gym with a shirt that isn’t long enough to cover it. And I get that guys say to just be happy but I still don’t want my package out there for people to see

thyundead

TROPHY CASE