My dad used to always tell me there’s two kinds of people those who mislead others and the easily misled. I’ve always be the later. But I think I finally broke. 7 years ago I dropped out of college to be a mechanic. 2 years ago enrolled back in school, but my boss talked me out of it with talked of earning potential and buying our shop from him. Well I re connected with one of my engineering school buddy’s last weekend and he makes well over double what I make with 8 total years in this industry. I fucked up. I’m re applying for school to finish my degree and leave this shop. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to accept staying here knowing what he talked me out of. In the last 2 years I could have wrapped up enough classes to transfer back to the local university and get back into the engineering program. Trades are dying but it’s hard to fight when most people my age that finished their degrees make at least double what I do.