Will update this post tonight. Out and about right now. I do have some advice and it's mostly positive.
Hello Craig, thank you for your follow up. I really appreciate you taking the time to give a well thought out response.
Currently I don't enjoy fixing cars. I just have a strong feeling that I would given my past hobby wrenching and enjoying learning how to do things with my hands. I have yet to do any real work on an actual car aside from very minor stuff.
You bring a great point up about part time mechanics work. Definitely wouldn't want to take 2 weeks to do some sort of job that takes 3-4 days just because the mechanic works every other day!
I wouldn't want to be "the lube guy" long term but if it was a way to get my foot in the door and learn the basics than it could be an option.
My biggest hurdle right now is renting, a basement apartment nonetheless so I don't really have space for tools, jacks, stands etc. I won't be living here forever though and eventually should have a place with a garage or at the very least a decent sized storage shed.
I am going to heed your advice and start learning on my own car. I am sure with a service manual and youtube I could learn to do most basic work myself and take it from there. My biggest issue is gong to be finding space for the tools/jack. My apartment is a 1 bedroom, and already cramped a bit.
Are you a mechanic by trade? How do you enjoy it?