Survey engineer and school as a mechanic. Building things is my hobby
Software Engineer/IT
Well, I’ve had 50 years to do all that. The key is to never stop learning, never lose the sense of wonder in finding something new, never think that you are “done”.
Mathematics and a passion for woodworking landed me where I am…
electromechanical tech 25yrs+,had desktop cnc years before arduino,my 1st machine ran on commodore 64,as I am retired This is a hobby ,keeps the brain alive…WCH
@Chaotic_Logic I left school at fifteen, have done a range of jobs from cleaning toilets to designing and building 1000-server farms to baking to kitchen hand to drug rehab worker.
A lack of formal education doesn’t make you less adept.
You can either visualise or you can’t. If you are having problems visualising your solution, see if someone can help.
@Mike_Thornbury
That’s actually very inspiring, thank you for your response.
I prefer to think of it as squandering the opportunities that were there for me, because of stupid pig-headedness.
Stay In School!
I am an HVAC/R, electrical and controls tech by day with a background in electronic communications and grew up in a family owned machine shop where we did blacksmithing, tool and die, custom builds and specialty metals chemistry. If it is technical, I am interested!
@Mark_Fuller “Done”? What’s that? 
@Chaotic_Logic Never be intimidated… The folks who won’t share their knowledge arn’t worth your time, but most techheads love to share. The only dumb question is the one not asked!
@Bear_U
Sir Henry Bessemer did not always share all of his knowledge, and that made him a very wealthy man. Although he did finally reveal his secrets in his autobiography. Which makes for quite a fascinating narrative. Especially the story he tells about his competitors trying to divine some of his secrets.
This guy was a God amongst men when it came to making. He is perhaps the most responsible for the modern world we’re all living in right now. Anyone with even a passing interest in machining, or industrial processes should definitely read his story. Bessemer was da man!
I don’t want to spoil it but did you know that Bessemer invented modern pencils? The story of how that all came about is pretty interesting too. It is all in that book. The man totally wrecked entire industries. He was the original disruptive personality. But only when things deserved to be destroyed.
He saw stupid stuff happening, and changed it for the better.
@Bear_U I’ve heard my parents mention that word. I still don’t know what they mean.
I’m software engineering and I have passion for building a sort of things.
@Paul_Frederick True Paul… Maybe I am too giving and should keep more of my information reserved for paying customers, but I feel I am just paying back the giants on who’s shoulders I stand to see so far ahead. I have had mentors and friends who have helped, led and occasionally drop kicked me forward and asked nothing in return. Now it is my turn to pay it further forward, so I stand by my statement.