I definitely appreciate that. My biggest problem with my current role is the money is not adequately spread around
|
|
|
Need a new career. Suggestions?
- Thread starter TwistedKestrel
- Start date
I think that is prevalent in many jobs. I highly dislike the accepted path many firms (and some whole professions) follow where you put in tons of hours for many many years making crap money and then when you eventually get to the top you slack off and profit on the work of those suffering below you. Profit from your work, take a reasonable cut from those below for providing opportunity but a reasonable cut is not 50%.
As someone who has switched careers a few times, I can share my 2 cents. I'm not allowed to talk much about my current role on the internet but I work for a non-profit now, a position that really helps the community. I have seen my work change people's lives. That's the good part.
But also, I migrated not too long ago (now a citizen). I have no family here or nothing to fall back on if things go south. That means I'm broke most of the times, couple that with bad financial planning lol (no debts but no savings either). Inflation doesn't help a bit. When it comes to work, though there is certain job satisfaction, I still have to deal with same amount of stress (or slightly less maybe), same office politics and same everything that goes with working for an organization but for a much lesser pay. I probably might move on from here (it's just a matter of when).
The way I see it is if you have the means then do what makes you happy (motorcycle instructor is great and there are definitely non-profits that could benefit from your expertise). But, if not - do think about money as well. I used to work for a bigger for profit org before and I made the switch for more job satisfaction and doing something more meaningful. I don't regret it but in my situation it's not sustainable anymore with all the expense increase in the city.
Hope this helps and all the best
PS: If only I had the skill to work with my hands (on bikes and cars). Would have saved some money too. Maybe my next career move. Toronto could do with one more sh*t mechanic, no?
But also, I migrated not too long ago (now a citizen). I have no family here or nothing to fall back on if things go south. That means I'm broke most of the times, couple that with bad financial planning lol (no debts but no savings either). Inflation doesn't help a bit. When it comes to work, though there is certain job satisfaction, I still have to deal with same amount of stress (or slightly less maybe), same office politics and same everything that goes with working for an organization but for a much lesser pay. I probably might move on from here (it's just a matter of when).
The way I see it is if you have the means then do what makes you happy (motorcycle instructor is great and there are definitely non-profits that could benefit from your expertise). But, if not - do think about money as well. I used to work for a bigger for profit org before and I made the switch for more job satisfaction and doing something more meaningful. I don't regret it but in my situation it's not sustainable anymore with all the expense increase in the city.
Hope this helps and all the best
PS: If only I had the skill to work with my hands (on bikes and cars). Would have saved some money too. Maybe my next career move. Toronto could do with one more sh*t mechanic, no?
How does one become a motorcycle instructor? I can ride a motorcycle but I'm not like, a maestro or anything. I presume you don't necessarily have to be
Being a professional mechanic is something I could sort of technically do - I have the aptitude for it, sure. I don't think I have the physical endurance for it though. Also my brother who pivoted from being a licensed mechanic into a millwright would probably beat me over the head with a wrench. Being an auto mechanic in Ontario seems to suck, generally - the bar is not super high for just having a license, and good mechanics end up having to compete with bad ones. Like I'm 100% sure there are folks out there that are making it work, and props to them... but my brother, who loves cars, and who turned eight boxes of parts I gave him back into a roadworthy ZX-11 (engine being FULLY disassembled), couldn't make it work.
Being a heavy mechanic or a bike mechanic, well, those are different stories.
I would say heavy mechanic is worse. Plan on your co-workers stealing at least a few thousand dollars of your tools every year.
An auto tech friend refers to jan and feb as Kraft dinner months as people with xmas bills only do emergency repairs. I assume bike tech is even worse for seasonal swings in income.
AllistonGT
Well-known member
I tend to agree.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Some non Red Seal trades pay higher, particularly if the tradesman is very good. I know a couple of young guys that board garages, they make $60/hr and have more work than hours in a week. A good carpet cleaning technique can make $60, the really good ones can make $120/hr, a good pool tech can pull $50, more if they are on their own.
The secret to big money isn't really a secret... just for good work and be reliable. When customers ask for you personally, they arent generally looking for a deal.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
If I could do it again I'd have been a tradesman. I just like working with my hands.
Every paycheck I've earned has been white collared.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
For the last 30 years, I've stood by one of my dad's rules.
If I wake up 5 days in a row not wanting to go to work, quit on day 6.
I've pulled that trigger 6 times since 1995.
It helps to be proficient at riding, but IMO, the #1 skill to be an instructor is to be able to communicate effectively. The school will train you on the curriculum and how to teach adults.
#2 skill is being an effective coach. This is how to observe someone carrying out the exercises, spot what they are doing wrong, identify the root cause and explain it in a way that they can fix their mistakes.
#3 skill is personality management. You're going to get all types of students - from over-talkers, to over-thinkers, anxiety-disorders, over-confidence, criers, blamers, etc. You'll need to adapt your teaching style and your people skills to reach all these different personalities. I've seen too many instructors only teach one way, and fail to reach people who relate to and learn differently.
You've heard the saying, "Those who can't do, teach"?
Unfortunately, being a good rider is actually the least important skill. Adults learn by listening, doing and watching. You can explain the exercise and get them to do it, but if they can't see someone else doing it correctly, they are missing a key element of learning. In my experience, a lot of motorcycle instructors actually aren't very good riders. When I taught in Ontario, I estimate that 30-40% of the instructors probably didn't feel confident enough to demo the exercises and IMO, half of them would struggle to pass the M1X test with a perfect score.
Demoing has never been a hard requirement of any school I've taught at. I've asked the chief instructor why it wasn't mandatory and he said that if demoing was a hard requirement, then the pool of instructor would probably shrink by 70%. I think this is unfortunate.
That said, if you do become an instructor, spend as much time as you can demoing and practicing. The tiny school bikes are excellent platforms to test and push the limits of your skills.
And if you drop the bike, just blame it on a student...
You don't have to be an amazing rider. It would help if you can ride safely, consistently and be able to model the behaviours your are looking for the students to emulate. It would also help if you can articulate the basic mechanics of how a bike works and how to get it to move, and how to ride as well as demonstrate the fundamental techniques. As a new instructor, you get coached and taught how your school would like you to do this, so it's not like you are going in blind or making it up as you go.
Riding schools need to have new instructors trained and ready to start teaching classes in the early spring, so these new instructors are taking their train the trainer curriculum in the winter. Where I taught it was around 10 weeks of in class lessons for all the new instructors. Then you do a few apprentice weekends where you are working alongside experienced instructors and then you are off teaching as part of a crew or a pair - depending on the class sizes.
If I didn't have the demands of the my current day job, I would still be a moto instructor, because it was really rewarding. If you are interested in teaching, then find out who offers classes in your area and approach them in the late fall to inquire about their path to joining up as a new instructor for the following season. once you become and instructor then you can teach anyone with just a 5gal pail and blaster rifle.
I suppose I should clarify.
I don't dislike my job. I have a great boss, nice coworkers, good salary, good vacation, WFH 3 days per week and a light work load. I work for a municipal government. I just can't get excited waking up to create red tape. I don't find it rewarding.
I'm passionate about the hobbies and interests I have. The red tape factory is just a means to let me enjoy my hobbies and my life. I'm actually considering a council run in 2026 so I can try my best to help my community and give back where I can. I currently volunteer with my town but that only goes so far. I'd like to change some policies so that needs to come from a position higher than a volunteer.
I would take up the gig just to practice on those smaller bikes, if I had the time for it.
Same…although getting away every weekend from 3 kids and family obligations could be fun…I would take up the gig just to practice on those smaller bikes, if I had the time for it.
matt365
Well-known member
It is.
Leave it behind, joke with your instructor buddies and the students, burn someone else's gas, and get paid for it too.
"Sorry honey, I have to teach this weekend."
You do miss some time with the kids. I don't feel guilty about it. I spend alot of time with my girls. I've got to have my own thing. The wife has her own hobbies too.
Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
I haven't been following this thread so pardon me if this is a duplicate.
The perfect job is one you are good at and enjoy. It also allows you an income that allows a decent lifestyle.
Define "Good" at and relate that to income. If you can't sing like Elvis don't expect his paycheque. Your mother's opinion doesn't count.
Defining "Decent lifestyle" is worse than an oil thread. Very little is objective other than the absolute bare minimums. Another oil thread.
Define "Enjoy" Even steak gets boring. Some things are boring until you get high on the knowledge curve and the recognition of your knowledge becomes the enjoyment factor. You could become a cucumber guru and the attention you get at a cucumber convention is rewarding. Your neighbours just think you're weird.
The perfect job is one you are good at and enjoy. It also allows you an income that allows a decent lifestyle.
Define "Good" at and relate that to income. If you can't sing like Elvis don't expect his paycheque. Your mother's opinion doesn't count.
Defining "Decent lifestyle" is worse than an oil thread. Very little is objective other than the absolute bare minimums. Another oil thread.
Define "Enjoy" Even steak gets boring. Some things are boring until you get high on the knowledge curve and the recognition of your knowledge becomes the enjoyment factor. You could become a cucumber guru and the attention you get at a cucumber convention is rewarding. Your neighbours just think you're weird.
I remember sitting on the edge of my bed and not wanting to get up. I was selling a product I didn't know. It was part number, price and delivery. Some of the products were very leading edge but also secretive.
I started my own company doing stuff I knew without having to deal with corporate BS. I still had bad days but they weren't bad weeks.
|
|
|
|
|