I tried being a mechanic and I tried catering, but I realized I had even less aptitude for semi-skilled labour than for academic work.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
When I was young I had an apprenticeship as an engineer.
I've worked as a labourer, driven taxis and school buses, and been a car mechanic - whatever I could do just to get by. But it does mean that I know a little bit about a lot of things.
I was good at math and science, and I got lots of degrees in lots of things, but in a parallel universe, I probably became a chef.
I tried singing. I tried playing a musical instrument. I really wanted to be a musician, but I never could quite pull that off. I liked entertaining, but I was always drawn to some kind of technical work - some kind of honest labor.
Somewhere along the line you've got to do your apprenticeship. But I'd want half a chance of being successful at it.
I could have gone on to be an engineer full time, except that there was more demand for my playing. But the love of working the board never leaves you.
Being a chef would be too much hard work.
The choices of roles I made had to do with educating and entertaining. And as a result I found myself working only every two or three years.
I've been an engineer, barman, skip lorry driver, coalman, boat window manufacturer, contract grass cutter and builder.
You have to look for teachers. If you want to be a mechanic, go hang out with mechanics.