How does someone change careers?

I've been looking for a way out of blue collar work and to find an easy job in white collar. Mainly because I'm trans and it's getting a bit more obvious I'm transitioning. I've gotten pretty lucky the past 3 garages I've worked in as a mechanic, but now I'm moving to a real shop.

Most of the people have been working there for a minimum of 10 years because young people don't want to work as a mechanic anymore. Neither do I, but it is really easy money. Two of the guys in my shop are getting paid more than 150k a year.

I just don't know if I want to take the bigotry. Had to deal with one guy in my last shop and we both almost got fired a couple of times for making threats.

I just want to know. How do people change careers? What does it take? I'm willing to work. I just don't know if I'm forced to go to college for 10 years or not, because I'm going to have to do college part time and be a mechanic full time.