by digitaltripper » Fri Dec 14, 2018 8:21 pm
Interesting question...Does not being "Professionally Trained" "Schooled" "Apprenticed" etc. make you less of a repairer/maker/professional? Ah...Yeah...Maybe...HOWEVER, even those with degrees, certificates, diplomas, etc don't know it all nor do they make a "Professional"
Experience+Knowledge+Strong work ethic (meaning you are capable of suiting up and showing up) makes a "Professional"
The other side of this equation is that you are NEVER finished learning in this or any other "profession". It is one of the reasons I enjoy and need to return to this forum as I do NOT know it all and need help/advise/suggestions etc. I think that makes me more professional.
You also have to ask yourself, who is it that is worthy of evaluating your knowledge/skills/abilities etc.? Does their opinion mean that you are qualified? Based on what exactly?
There are A LOT of "Arm Chair" pro's out there who think they know what's going on but they've never actually done (Insert skill/ability here)
I have installed a toilet in my bathroom, fixed the faucet seat and washers (replaced them), as well as packing the stems in the shower and kitchen but I am not a plumber nor does that 15 hours make me a "professional"
If it makes you feel better about what you know, I bet that Bob or William or Paul or ?? could devise a "test" for your knowledge...
I have been doing/learning this since 2010. Does that make me a "professional"? I "Apprenticed" under Nolan Holdridge who was in the watch repair business for almost 70 years. (I was fortunate enough to have 5 years with him before he passed away on Dec. 7th 2016 at 93)
I will say that if you have someone to apprentice under it can save you a lot of frustration AND help keep your moral up during those time when your human side shows itself (Things happen, Mistakes are made, etc.).
As I said above, in my humble opinion, Experience+Knowledge+Strong work ethic (meaning you are capable of suiting up and showing up) makes a "Professional
Keep at it IF you enjoy it. Frustrations will come and go and you'll get much better with time. Welcome to the forums and the world of Horology...
Jim