[Li'l Dave]

I've finally decided that engineering is not for me, and now I can't decide on a major that will suit me. My goal is to stay in the bike industry in one way or another, but I don't even know where to start. I want to do something really hands-on, but I don't want to be a bike mechanic for the rest of my life. I guess I'm just looking to see what other monkees in the industry are doing, and what it takes to get where you are. Any info would be helpful, I'm stuck. Thanks.

 

[BurlyShirley]

I've finally decided that engineering is not for me, and now I can't decide on a major that will suit me. My goal is to stay in the bike industry in one way or another, but I don't even know where to start. I want to do something really hands-on, but I don't want to be a bike mechanic for the rest of my life. I guess I'm just looking to see what other monkees in the industry are doing, and what it takes to get where you are. Any info would be helpful, I'm stuck. Thanks.

Be a welder. Or a machinist. Get an industry job, mech, etc.. and try to make contacts.

 

[blue]

Be a welder. Or a machinist.

Yeah right. There is such *HUGE* demand in the bike industry for those right now.

I'd look more on the business side of it. Company management, HR, etc. I'm majoring in International Relations and possibly thinking about being a US/Int'l liasion for an outdoor company of some sort. Anything industrial is going to pay as much as a shop wrench job, or is outsourced to Taiwan. BS is right about contacts though...those make all the difference in the world, from my viewpoint. Get to know some people and all the doors will open.

 

[Tame Ape]

I make shirts.

AWESOME SHIRTS

 

[skinny mike]

marketing

 

[Slugman]

As an engineer myself (non-bike industry) I'd highly suggest the marketing side. I'm in the process of making that move myself. Engineers get sh*t pay, sh*t hours, and sh*t on... the marketing guys can propose a Escher-esq concept and we get sh*t when it doesn't work. I want to go make ridiculous statements and impossible promises to people and get better pay and bigger bonuses for it!

 

[James]

I've finally decided that engineering is not for me, and now I can't decide on a major that will suit me. My goal is to stay in the bike industry in one way or another, but I don't even know where to start. I want to do something really hands-on, but I don't want to be a bike mechanic for the rest of my life. I guess I'm just looking to see what other monkees in the industry are doing, and what it takes to get where you are. Any info would be helpful, I'm stuck. Thanks.

As someone who has worked with bikes for 14 of my 28 years, I second the Marketing. Or hell, business management if you like or want to get into sales. From bike shop runt, to manager at Bike-alog, to five years in sales for a "huge" bike company, now to product management for another company, I'd recommend marketing though. It's the skill I use the most currently, and I think the one most suitable to many positions/companies.

Personally I only have 1 year of higher education under my belt, in the same town as you Dave (probably why there is only 1 year, I'd probably have finished in 3 if I was in Ohio or something... ), but I'd say that's the major with the most chance of it actually helping you along in the biz.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

JJames

 

[Transcend]

Enginerds can make their own jobs in the bike industry if they are good. If not, well read above.

Welder/machinists are a dime a dozen, and all the big stuff is being sent to taiwan and being run by a little guy with a robotic welder anyways.

If you aren't doing the design end, look to the business/marketing end. Much harder to get into, but holy crap, does the bike industry need some competent business people. You may want to take journalism instead of marketing, you get a much more useful education, as it can transfer to both realms. Many J school grads end up in marketing and advertising.

 

[James]

Oh, and also, don't listen to Fraser. He wouldn't know competent if it were a 50 cent gas station hot dog.

 

[Transcend]

Oh, and also, don't listen to Fraser. He wouldn't know competent if it were a 50 cent gas station hot dog.

Says the guy who drank his way outta university.

 

[Li'l Dave]

Marketing/Business seems like a general concept I'm hearing. Sounds interesting. What is the work like, mainly behind a desk, out in the "field"...?

 

[James]

Says the guy who drank his way outta university.

Hey, it wasn't all the booze. I was also lazy!

 

[Transcend]

Hey, it wasn't all the booze. I was also lazy!

Ah that explains it. My booze kept me going for 7 years.

 

[DRB]

I heard web design was pretty easy.... no wait its not..... no wait it is.....

Economic or accounting. Everyone needs accountants and economists even the bike industry....

 

[cannondalejunky]

i was an engineering major, but i changed this year to small business...my goal is to start a bike shop...i also went to United Bicycle Institute in ashland, or...on of the courses they teach focuses on the shop side of repair, plus one of the instructors there has managed many shops and he has a day where he teaches you how to correctly run a shop

 

[Li'l Dave]

Can you make enough money as a company rep to actually afford to live? I like the idea of getting out there and showing and promoting product stuff, but it almost seems like you wouldn't make squat. I'm not looking to make millions here, but you have to make at least enough to live.

 

[Transcend]

You can make great money as a rep for a larger company in a good area with strong clients. You can make zilch in a crappy or oversaturated area. You never know how much you are making from month to month, but some people like it this way.

I have friends in both categories. One of them has a sweet house, 2 kids, wife, dogs, birds and plenty of expensive toys. He works as a rep for 1 large bike manufacturer and has a great (albeit large) area to cover and only has to deal with good shops.

 

[Bicyclist]

I wouldn't want to be a rep after meeting some. You basically go around and claim your product is the end-all, absolute best every year. The guy I know who's a rep makes a good living but I couldn't personally be a walking sales pitch.

Marketing/journalism sounds interesting. Seems like it'd be a bit more "hands on" than being an accountant.

I say do what you're interested in within the bike industry.

 

[Li'l Dave]

That's good to hear, what direction as far as schooling would be necessary? I just emailed my shop's Specialized rep, hopefully he will give me some good info. Its good to hear that there are ways within the bike industry to make some money, I was worried I'd be kinda screwed in that department.

 

[Bjern Fita]

..i also went to United Bicycle Institute in ashland, or...on of the courses they teach focuses on the shop side of repair, plus one of the instructors there has managed many shops and he has a day where he teaches you how to correctly run a shop

sorry to chime in as a lurker but you have to be very clinial about a career.

you want to do what you love? never listen to anyone on the net, just do it but don't expect to make a truck load of money.

you want to have the comfortable, enviable (to some) life?

suck it up, swallow your ideals and your dreams and sell the great unwashed what they want; not what they need, what's good for them or what you think is right for them. the innovators the media write stories about are the few and far between that had a brilliant idea that they loved and people needed. for us lay-men, just stick to what they think they need.

sad and cynical but true.

(ps I'm an educated business and marketing man who wants to make furniture. my wife may be a soulless investment chick but she's making everyday folks money. what does this mean? read this again.)

don't listen to blokes (or chicks) on the net

 

[Li'l Dave]

I'm not just trying to figure out how to make a lot of money, I'm trying to find something that I like doing that will allow me to survive.

 

[Bjern Fita]

well then i've got no real answer for you chief.

are your children fed, clothed, educated and safe while you're happy? if so go nuts brother!

if not the only solution is to try something and give it a crack. what else do you want from the net? my rule is keep the missus and kids happy, then try for yourself. you chose to pursue her and them didn't you?

 

[Li'l Dave]

Well thus far, no missus or kids I'm just looking to see what monkees on the board do, and what else is even available.

 

[James]

That's good to hear, what direction as far as schooling would be necessary? I just emailed my shop's Specialized rep, hopefully he will give me some good info. Its good to hear that there are ways within the bike industry to make some money, I was worried I'd be kinda screwed in that department.

With the outside rep gig, just make sure that you can live that sort of life. Yeah it's fun to go around to a bunch of shops, lots of travel/overnights/etc, but it gets harder as you get older. A lot of outside reps start out as independent reps. i.e. not tied to one company (a "company rep" like your Spesh guy), they represent several brands, or work partially for a distributer like J&B, Veltec, etc. If you're good at what you do, and you have some good brands, you can make a metric asstonne of money doing this. But...you have to be somewhat of a "salesperson." And really, really on top of things and organized.
In my experience, company reps have it pretty good. They're employees, so they have the benefits, and are usually isolated a bit from the uncertainty of life as an independent. The good ones aren't the slimy sales guys, they're just guys who are good with people, and know/love the stuff they're selling.
With the industry changing so much, their role is becoming different than what it was in years past. Less order writers than business partners of sorts.
Tell you what, instead of me taking up tons of room here, drop me a PM with your email, and I'll be able to expand a bit more, if you like.

JJames

 

[bjanga]

JJames, I would not mind reading what you have to say, and I bet others may find it interesting, too.

 

[sanjuro]

I don't know if this a major or a made-up title, but what about industrial design?

 

[James]

JJames, I would not mind reading what you have to say, and I bet others may find it interesting, too.

It's kind of a lot, and I'd probably need a bit of time to get it down properly. Maybe the head monkey would be interested in bringing back the blogs or something. I don't want to clog up the forums with something like that, it'd probably turn into a flame war of sorts...

 

[N8 v2.0]

Getting a degree in engineering (and then a job) will allow you buy all the bikes you want.

Worked for me.

 

[Li'l Dave]

Industrial technology is an actual major taught by Calpoly SLO as far as I know. There is also Industrial Design, but the programs are kind of strange. Th Engineering was just too much for me, I can't keep my stress that high all the time or I'd snap. I found I just wasn't that good at it.

 

[Graphics]

we have a lot of mechanics in our school...massage therapy. Don't know why...perhaps it's the being good with your hands thing. Either way...I'm hoping to use it in the bike industry, as well as athletic industry. Hoping to set up "shop" so to speak at races and events like that.