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Getting a job in the industry is easy or hard. Dealer or race team? The race team thing will require you to either know people, or be really great at networking, marketing yourself, etc.
I worked in the industry in racing for a little while and it definitely changes the sport for you. The "romance" of the industry goes POOF! I used to love watching and going to races. I loved imaging what might be happening, staring at the bikes, etc. That is all gone. This probably sounds ridiculously jaded of me, but it seems to be the case for a lot of my friends who are in the industry. If getting a job in the industry is you searching for a "romantic" career, then I suggest looking elsewhere. It generally pays like crap, too.
If you want the romance of being an insider and still want to be enthusiastic about the sport, I suggest getting a job outside of the industry and making a ton of friends in the industry. Keep social and professional lives separated, IMO.
This sport will always have an endless need for people with a strong aesthetic.
The Shop
I've been riding since the early 70's and, other than my college years, I've been working in the industry since 1984.
I'm still very passionate about the industry...I spend my drive time listening to Pulp MX, DMXS Radio and Main Event Moto. My entire family rides most weekends when the school year comes to an end. With the exception of a two very brief stints in the food service industry during high school I've made a carreer out of selling fun.
Working in an industry you are passionate about makes waking up each day just a little bit easier. But, it's not for everybody...you still have to find a work/family balance. The lines between work and fun get blurred from time to time but, more often then not, your work becomes fun...sometimes your fun becomes work but not very often.
I was fortunate enough to get involved with a store that allowed and encouraged staff growth and development. As a result there are quite a few employees I worked with that have carved quite the path through the powersports industry. The best place to start is in a locally owned, progressive dealer. It's damn near impossible to find a rep job without significant dealership experience. Another option is to become a gear guy for one of the apparel brands...you'll travel a bunch but if you do a good job you'll move up rather quickly. There are some significant people in our industry that started as gear reps.
The qualities that make you successful in the powersports industry are the same qualities that make you successful in most industries...do some research, find the right fit, and go for it. I still get paid to drive around and hang out in motorcycle shops!
Or own your own business. I'd suggest starting it out as a side gig and keeping it that way until it has grown to the point where it becomes a necessity to go full time.
As far as getting burnt out like people are saying, if you focus more on the business side of things rather than turning wrenches, I don't think you'll get burnt out very quickly if at all. At least thats the way I look at it. I don't see how you can get burnt out from just "being around" something that you're very passionate about. However if you're turning wrenches and doing manual labor I can see how that may make you not want to work on your own bikes or not want to ride... I'm going through it now except with cars instead of bikes. Stopped doing side jobs, never wanted to work on my race car, ended up selling the car, and that was that. I miss it but I have no desire to get back into it cause I'm busting my ass working on cars all day long and that just killed it for me. I just don't think I'd be feeling burnt out if I was just "around it" doing something administrative or sales related rather than doing difficult manual labor for less than fair pay.
Just my perspective on things. Something media related or owning a business are the best ways to go in my opinion. Though neither are easy and will require a huge amount of hustle and hard work.
Its also very important that people like you and want to do things for you, also make sure that you don't screw up expensive things.........Create value in yourself, never make it seem that you don't have everything handled, even if you have no idea what your doing......basically make yourself indispensable in every way and people will notice and you will get work.
If you have absolutely no way into the inner sanctum.....then plan on attending every race, getting a pit pass anyway you can.....and going to work once in.....stay away from the big teams and concentrate on the broke privateers in the back of the pits.....mostly just get a recognizable face around the pits do a lot of work for free and someone will appreciate that you're different than others and you will find work.
Don't give up until you get where you want to be.....believe me, very few people are actually willing to do WHATEVER it takes to get to the end goal, too many stop trying when things get tough. Work hard, don't be a dick, and never ever ever burn bridges no matter how bad you want to. GOOD LUCK. And get used to being broke. But at least you'll have a smile on your face..
We should be able to resolve world hunger with this kinda expertise hanging around...
If you're going to do it, make sure you're ready to work, and work for cheap, very cheap. I lost about 15-20 pounds when I went on the road. You eat what the rider eats. But as I sit here typing this, I wouldn't trade all the memories for nothing. I've been able to do things and see things in this industry that most will never see. I eat,sleep and breathe this stuff, every day. I built 2 motors today from the crank up and this is the first night in three weeks that I've actually got to spend time with my family. You sacrifice a lot, but for me it has just become a way of life and thankfully my wife is cool with it.
Pit Row
I hate it, my boss is faster, taller, meaner than me and slaps my ass and screams BRAAAAP every time Im using the urinal. If he wasnt the owners son I would beat him up.
If its a team job you want, be willing to work hard for pennies and talk to everyone you can respectfully and make friends. If you work, make plenty of friends you can make a good living someday.
It also helps that my best friend (kripple428 on here), when we were kids, because we raced and went against what most other kids did, we were often overlooked and people thought we would never amount to much because we wanted to be mechanics. He's 23 and he has worked for Roushe Yates as a NASCAR motor builder, and now works at one of the nations best diesel performance shops. We both have a work ethic like no other and we aren't ok with settling. When you settle, you have given up. At least that's how we look at it. But we use each other as motivation
There are many unqualified individuals in "Leadership" positions that also lack the diplomacy and people skills (soft skills) needed to nurture, promote "The Industry" and grow a career; and there is no resolve if you ever decided to really consider career growth long term. "The Industry" has bad habit of offering no real compensation. The Politics: Getting favors from "Industry Leadership" and you will owe the favors back at some point as this is how commerce works in "The Industry" and is part of your compensation, AKA hidden "Benefits" which are not financially beneficial or shared with everyone. Its a "Pass Through" type situation for most as "The Industry" is very small. There are some great people in "The Industry" you must seek them out, you will know. Not meant to offend.
working a nice office job now and build bikes now and again as side work
It's been 11 months since I last rode and I am just now getting the drive back to hop on the horse again. Being involved in marketing or something else might be a better approach so you don't get burnt out on it.
glad to finally WANT to ride again and having fun rebuilding the old steeds to their former glory (they got neglected BIG-TIME when I was working on other people's bikes all the time)
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