Charly and I grew up together. I was the one with the dolls and she always liked watching her father work on cars. He taught her a lot back in those days. As time went on, she got away from the mechanics and decided to go to college. She was accepted at a university some 400 miles away from home. Her major was sports medicine.

I remember her signing college loan papers promising to pay back quite a bit of money once she got her career going. I know she liked the thought of having her own gym someday because she always did want to be in business for herself.

Graduation Day was memorable. Her whole family was there and I took time off from work to attend as well. It was the first day of the rest of her life and she had big hopes for success. She actually went right in full force trying to land a good job without even taking any time off to relax after 4 grueling years at college. She just focused on getting the job of her dreams!

Well, the weeks turned into months and the months turned into years and she still wasn’t anywhere near where she wanted to be. The time came when she had to start paying back all the loans and she became really stressed. She was willing to settle for any job at this point.

I reminded her about her knack for fixing cars. She said she’d love doing that again, but it was a man’s job. I encouraged her to just think about it and she did. But, again to pursue this she would need more money that she did not have.

I picked up a few brochures from a local trade school to get her more motivated. I drove her to the school and scheduled a tour. After the tour, she realized more than ever that a trade school majoring in something she loved was a great idea. In fact, she wished she would have done it sooner. If she would have, she wouldn’t be staring at huge school loan bills every month.

The school had a financial aid program. She qualified and she enrolled! After only 2 years of working for someone else, she has her own transmission shop. The money is good and her future is secure.

Do you find yourself still looking for your dream job? If you are leaning toward mechanics and want to start earning income as soon as possible, you may want to consider a trade school. Instead of college, think the alternative — a Trade School! Do you know a good trade school where you live? Do your homework online to find a reputable one in your area. Start Googling. Educate yourself on the subject of the importance of having a good education and a job that you love.

If you live in the Pittsburgh area, one place to initiate your search is to explore Rosedale Technical Institute. The school has educated students for over 60 years. Rosedale is an accredited vocational technical school. With Rosedale, it is possible to learn a trade and begin earning the income you deserve in as little as 16 months. Ask for a tour to learn more about their auto mechanic school or diesel mechanic school. Visit http://www.rosedaletech.org — watch their walk on video.

Justine Jordan