Job #1 Auto Tech

I love Jeeps, off-roading, working on trucks with friends, and riding my ATV out at the mud pit. I have my own subscription to both Off Road and Four Wheeler magazine. My husband and I often debate the finer points of what a better rear-end would be for a certain truck, the pluses of a solid axle, or the gear ratio for the Jeep when we lift it.

Now... I'm a city girl. I grew up in Denver and went to college in the heart of the city. I enjoyed wine tastings, art gallery parties and the like. I moved to Florida when I joined the Domestic Peace Corps building houses for Habitat for Humanity for the year after college. A great set of rednecks took me under their wing, taught me all about four-wheeling, drinking beer and being a good redneck. I even pee in the woods now.

And don't think I'm being derogatory by using the term "redneck". One of my closest friends down here actually has NECK in red writing on the front windshield of his lifted Cherokee. It's a badge of honor in these parts. Anyway, boy if I didn't take to the whole thing like I'd been doing it all my life. And over the last few years, I've made some great friends, had more fun than I thought was possible, got into some trouble and learned a lot about trucks.

I enjoy the freedom of owning a vehicle that I can drive through almost anything and over nearly any obstacle. It's exciting and a huge adventure. I love knowing how something works and taking it apart and fixing it when it doesn't. I love the completely imprecise method of hitting something with a hammer when it doesn't fit. I like to weld stuff. And really, I don't know what girl wouldn't! Doing a build up on a Jeep requires more accessories than I can fit in my two closets! I own more spare car parts than shoes at this point (and that is saying A LOT!!)

I've always been told that people are happiest when they find something they are passionate about and turn it into a job. With a degree from a place like UTI, I could do a lot of things. I could be an auto tech at any shop. I would prefer to be a tech at a shop that does customizations on trucks and Jeeps, and maybe even builds their own truck to enter in truck shows and Jeep jambos. Maybe I could own my own customization shop one day, like a kick-ass chick in this area named Haley. Or, I could somehow acquire my dream job of working for an off-roading magazine. You don't just write - you do the work on the trucks, test them (i.e. off-road for a living) and then produce the article and pictures yourself. DREAM JOB!!! And with the degree in Journalism I already have, it would be a perfect progression of my career. I'd also like to start or work for a non-profit that offers free or low cost work on cars for people that need it most.

Some of the drawbacks: At least for a while, I will probably have to work at a shop gaining more skills after my schooling. The hours are long, it sucks when the bay doors are open and it's cold and wet, the attitudes of the guys can be not-so-nice, and will they hire me even though I'm a tiny girl instead of some big dude? I don't know. The other jobs I listed are much harder to come by... So that dream job might just be a pipe dream.

Some things I need to find out: How long will I have to pay my dues before I can get into a shop that does something other than just fixing cars? And how big is the sex bias in the industry?

Yeah Baby! That's What I'm Talking About!

Now THAT is a Jeep. Ain't it pretty?

Git er Done!

It's nice to finally see a Hummer with some mud on it! These things get over 400 ft. lbs of torque and you never see these beasts gettin' into it out at the pit! Well, you know what Jeep owners say... If I wanted a Hummer, I'd ask your sister ;-)

I considered also posting some law-related pictures, but a proper portrait of the Supreme Court Justices just isn't as fun!

What do I want to be when I grow up? Eye-poker Extraordinaire?

Hi, my name is Beth. I am facing that question that most people ask themselves at some point. What do I want to be when I grow up? So, I've narrowed it down to two choices; grease monkey or ambulance chaser. Well, to be a little clearer (or PC), I want to work on Jeeps and trucks, customizing them after-market for four-wheeling, rock crawling etc. Or, I want to be a lawyer.

Yeah, those are two polar opposites. And to make it more difficult, I'm chasing these dreams as a military wife. My husband is in the US Coast Guard, and I'm at the whims of the government. They say where we go, how long we go for, and how long we have to be apart. For an independent girl like me, it's been an exercise in releasing my death grip on the control I have over my life. I wouldn't say it's futile, but it's... interesting. Being a Coast Guard wife has redefined my life. But not like others thought it would. An ex-boyfriend, upon hearing of my impeding nuptials, actually asked me if I now intended to be a baby-making machine that follows her husband around the country like a puppy dog. Hell no, and neither does any other military wife! We have our lives too, and this is a blog of my pursuit.

There are days when my husband having a solid job where the pay can only get better is a blessing, especially in this economy. Most of the time he loves his job, and his service to our country is a source of pride for our whole family. The health care, the money for school... There are a lot of benefits. And then there are days when I just want to march right down to the Station and start poking people in the eye. You know, take that Petty Officer So-And-So! And respectfully, you're messing with MY life and I'd like you to show me the paper that I signed that said you are free to jerk me around as much as you want, just because I'm married to someone lower in rank than you! Hey, I said "respectfully". Now would this do more harm than good, yes. And, as my husband so kindly pointed out, would I have to stand on a step stool to do said poking because I am only 5 feet tall (with shoes on), yes also. But I can still have the urge right? And if you are a military wife, of any branch, I'm sure you have felt the same way at some point. I am incredibly proud to be a Coastie wife and I support my husband's ambitions to be a lifer 100%. I've learned to hand control over to him and never get involved with his career down at the station. Oh, the joys of letting go...

This blog serves a duel purpose. I want to record my experiences trying to find my career. I am going to research, interview, try out and otherwise explore these two careers in every aspect that I can. I mean, do I want to get elbow deep in grease all day, or sling mud in the court room? Do I want to hear the rumble of that small-block V-8 or the grumble of the judges stomach before lunch recess? I want to find out. And I hope it can serve as a path for others that are seeking their career, or deciding between two.

I also want to blog about what it's like to be a military wife following her aspirations. I hope to hear from other military wives about what has worked for them, how they have dealt with the hardships and how they have found their own careers amidst the often overwhelming presence of their husbands' careers. I also want to support the wives out there, no matter what path they have chosen, because it's sink or swim out there! Sometimes a place to vent, a person to talk to, a long distance hug, and another Coastie Wife Support blog are the only things that stand between me and loading that darn step stool into the Jeep for some eye-poking.

Coming up... I'll give a further description of my two prospective careers. I'm also going to start with one of those "job personality tests" and see what it says about me, about my two potential job choices, and if those results lead me to believe those tests are helpful or a bunch of hooey. And of course, there is always endless excitement from the Coastie front.