mechanics school?

[deutschman]

i have a few questions concerning how to start a career as a mechanic. i have been struggling with what i want to do in life for a while and have tried many things including going to german to become a stone mason and am currently enrolled in a culinary program. but non of these things float my boat ;) and i have only done them because i felt like i needed to do something with my life...
but now i finely know what my true passion is, but don't know where to start. i was wondering if some of you guys could help me out?
where is a good school i can start taking some classes at in the bay area?
what is a good way to work my self towards working bmws (i know uti has a program but you need a referral)?
what is a good way to get a referral to go to uti?
is uti worth it?
any other hints and tips are greatly appreciated! if there is something you think i should know that i haven't ---------------- Now playing: DJ Dean - Music Is My Life (Rocco vs Bass-t Remix) www.djwitek.prv.pl via FoxyTunes asked a questions about feel free to chime in!!! thanks a lot guys!

[Farbin Kaiber]

Did you just give us music to listen to whilst replying to your post? Thanks, that's a first.


WyoTech, UTI, etc. are good places to look into, you can also knock it out a CC and take their auto program. Get your A certs from ASE and get your application/resume out in the world.

[markseven]

i have a few questions concerning how to start a career as a mechanic. i have been struggling with what i want to do in life for a while and have tried many things including going to german to become a stone mason and am currently enrolled in a culinary program. but non of these things float my boat ;) and i have only done them because i felt like i needed to do something with my life...
but now i finely know what my true passion is, but don't know where to start. i was wondering if some of you guys could help me out?
where is a good school i can start taking some classes at in the bay area?
what is a good way to work my self towards working bmws (i know uti has a program but you need a referral)?
what is a good way to get a referral to go to uti?
is uti worth it?
any other hints and tips are greatly appreciated! if there is something you think i should know that i haven't ---------------- Now playing: DJ Dean - Music Is My Life (Rocco vs Bass-t Remix) www.djwitek.prv.pl via FoxyTunes asked a questions about feel free to chime in!!! thanks a lot guys!

I would call a BMW dealership and find out who hires their techs. I would then ask that person what sort of training is required and from which schools they recruit and which schools he or she feels has the best curriculum. Ask him or her what path you should follow in order to get hired as a tech.

[Farbin Kaiber]

S t e p

[deutschman]

thanks guys! very helpful!

[deutschman]

Did you just give us music to listen to whilst replying to your post? Thanks, that's a first.


WyoTech, UTI, etc. are good places to look into, you can also knock it out a CC and take their auto program. Get your A certs from ASE and get your application/resume out in the world.

hahaha. sharing is caring. i know not everyone likes techno, but i thought some people might.

[Aptyp]

why are you trying service professions? Why don't you knock out all the standard courses and then transfer to do what you want to. Check your local community college. Decided what kind of mechanic you want to be? You need to do a lot more thinking before you waste anymore of your time on learning trades you'll never use.

cool techno

[deutschman]

yeah. i know. you sound like my mom! lol! but thats why im asking these questions. so i learn about this and then think about it.
i have to say though that i have wasted no time. have you made a brick pizza oven by yourself and gotten payed for it, or a full deck? i have loved everything i have done, but just not enough to do it for a large part of my life.
here is a question. do you need to do all the general educations stuff before you can graduate from one of these tech school?

[markseven]

yeah. i know. you sound like my mom! lol! but thats why im asking these questions. so i learn about this and then think about it.
i have to say though that i have wasted no time. have you made a brick pizza oven by yourself and gotten payed for it, or a full deck? i have loved everything i have done, but just not enough to do it for a large part of my life.
here is a question. do you need to do all the general educations stuff before you can graduate from one of these tech school?

No.

If I were to do it again, here's what I would do:

Get an AA from a CC

Enlist in the Air Force. I **think** you go in as an Officer due to the AA. Learn hand-to-hand combat, discipline, and a respect for freedom. Get in excellent physical shape. Let the Government pay for your undergrad work. Learn a trade or become a pilot. Get the GI Bill and run. Of course, when I was your age, we weren't in the middle of a war...

[E30Kaiser]

It is pretty random to actually become a mechanic doing anything that would be satisfying. My brother went to MMI, specialized in Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki and now is on the Bimmerworld team after working at 2 motorcycle dealerships. Really only had a good word from the guy who owns a local BMW shop and put "M50 swap" on his resume and he was in hahaha. So thats one route,
step 1) study something absolutely random
step 2) work somewhere with machines
step 3) do a motor swap into a E30
step 4) ???????
step 5) dolla billz yo

[Lazr111]

Hey, I know its quite a trip, but De Anza CC in Cupertino has one of the best Auto programs I've heard of. It may be worth it to give it a shot and at least start there.

[e30e]

Diesel Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics,........ Did I mention Diesel Mechanics?

Basically if you can work on anything diesel, your going to be needed over some dude that works on a car. A million shit heads and couple hundred good mechanics work on cars, the workforce for trained good techs in the diesel mechanics field is getting old. Yes you work harder but you make more and your job changes every day and slumping economies don't affect you as bad. If you can work on a Caterpillar 980G or a John Deere Harvester you can work on any car...ANY CAR.. Look into the Think Big Program Caterpillar puts on.

[SpecM]

-I'm almost done getting my 2yr Associate's in Automotive Tech, here in NC at Forsyth Tech CC. Decient program, pretty cheap (prob $1500 invested total), and that coupled with some ASE certs almost garentees you a good wrenching-job. I work at Advance Auto Parts at the moment (not a bad job btw), where I still pick up a little experiance, but really I'm just working through school.

-Auto mechanics is good, honest (mostly haha), hard work, but it isn't always all that fun, take it from me. I worked for two years at a local Toyoya dealership: starting in the Quick-Lube changing oil, then a Level 1 (tires, brakes, basic services), then a Level 2 (most things except drivability diag and engine overhauls). I was offered more money at a Jeep/Chyr/Dodge-specialty indapendant shop, where I worked long enough to find out that the owner was a Grade-A, industrial-proof Duchebag. So we parted ways, I work at Adavance Auto (not knocking it), but I miss turning wrenches, even with it's drama!

-Cliff notes: you can work at a dealership even without all the fancy certs, and don't leave a good place when you find it.

-Sorry for the life story haha...

[Aptyp]

lol, I started at Advance, and that was a fun job when you don't know jack shit about cars. People ask you questions, you ask some one else or get the book. It was great.

And discounts on parts are a good benefit for any one starting. Pay sucked though.

[Ray McCooney]

No.

If I were to do it again, here's what I would do:

Get an AA from a CC

Enlist in the Air Force. I **think** you go in as an Officer due to the AA. Learn hand-to-hand combat, discipline, and a respect for freedom. Get in excellent physical shape. Let the Government pay for your undergrad work. Learn a trade or become a pilot. Get the GI Bill and run. Of course, when I was your age, we weren't in the middle of a war...

I actually believe (might need to be double checked) that a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to escape the enlisted rank scale and become an officer. I do however agree with your suggestion to enlist and learn a trade, however, don't get yourself completely set on becoming a pilot as it is not as easy to become one as everyone seems to think or assume.

And yes, if you are to go into mechanics go Diesel or heavy equipment. You will probably be more satisfied overall (pay/stress), and you will not dread working on yet another car (your personal stock) as do most of the "career" BMW mechanics that I know.