I find this thread very interesting. Guys from many backgrounds, all interested in ruff hot rods.
I went to school to be a shop teacher. After student teaching, I changed majors. A shop full of kids with dangerous tools, bent on destruction just wasn't for me.
Spent 35 years in a personal care products manufacturing plant making shampoo, hair spray, etc. Was an Industrial Engineer, Quality Engineer, warehouse supervisor, Maintenance Manager, Engineering Manager and probably a few other positions I omitted. It was a good run.
Been retired for 17 years and have built 15 or so hot rods and drag cars in that time. That's REALLY been fun.
With old age and the ailments that come with it, my hot rod rebuilding pace will be slowing down some, but I ain't ever quitting.