How much can you pick up?

Question

I asked this question earlier, but I can't seem to get a satisfactory answer. So I wil ask in another way.

If you are specialised in a certain field, and all of a sudden, you are transffered to a new field, of which you have no prior experience and training, how much can you catch up in the field in a short time, eg 6 months.

For example, if you are specialised in IT and you have no prior experience in car servicing, can you take up the job or not? Can you, with on the job training, learn to service a car well in only 6 months?

Likewise, with no prior experience, can you take up a vocation to assist a biochemist within 6 months?

I have heard many people say that school doesn't teach you everything, you have to learn a lot on your own. However, can you learn anything essential if you have no prior training and within a short time?

I asked this because I just lost my job as a computer programmer. I was given a job to work in a power plant. However, the things in a power plant is just too alien to me. Everyone there told me "it is very easy". But I really don't understand it. If I were given 2 years to understand the plant, it would be alright. But my new boss told me I should know everything (including hands on maintenance and servicing) in 6 months.

How much can a person really pick up in such a short time with no prior experience?

What is wrong with my question? Why only a few answers?

Answer 1

different people have different abilities in different fields. On the other hand, lots of people good in their job, couldn't teach a monkey to eat bananas. It depends on how your aptitudes match the particular job as to whether you'll succeed or not, as well as the skill of the person teaching you.If you find the job is over your head - or completely sucks - it's time to find something else in a different field - something you understand basic concepts of.

Answer 2

It depends on how well of a teacher you have.