i thought you said it wasnt bad news
well i guess congrats are in order
yup now to wreck your body for the rest of your career
not that there is anything wrong with being a mechanic(hell ive been a master tech for ford for over ten yrs,wrenching for over 22yrs)
but with all those years experience i dont consider myself a "mechanic",i am a professional automotive technician.
over the years i have had more than my fair share if injuries too.and more than just the usual cuts and bashed fingers etc.
im talking stitches,wrecked shoulders( rotor cuffs),bad lower back from years of lifting very heavy itiems from awkward angles,hips knees,wrists,hands blah blah blah
i guy can make a realy good living at it if he is good and efficiant.i supported my wife and sons quit well for the last 2+ decades.
but there are times when i come home so freakin sore(and for days on end)i wonder if it is still worth it or not.
but when its all you can do anymore ya stick to it.enough of my ramblings
once again congrats on the bump up(we do it the same at tmy shop too,start them low and train them the FORD way to be a tech)
you will get used to doing this work after awhile and wont even care if your tired and sore,youll find the time to work on primitive stuff.
i still do,no matter how sorei am,or how much muscle tension i have.i always find time to do atleast a little something primitive each night
good luck on the new career,its not as bad as i made it sound.well atleast not for the most part.