Automotive school

[Pantless Spency]

So after a while of trying my best to find out what I want to do in college and the rest of my life, and trying to grasp the idea of many different professions. I've come to realize that the only thing that interests me in this world besides skateboarding (nothing I can live off in that.) is really just cars, how they work, admiring there excellence, and learning about them in general.

So I'm thinking I want to go to school to become an automotive technician/mechanic whatever you prefer to call it. In my area there is a uti that's not to far away and I will try my best to get financial aid to help pay for schooling.

I just wanted to post this here to see of you guys have any advice or if anyone here has a similar outlook or has gone through automotive schooling.
Thanks r3v

[KamakaziX]

I'm no expert, but from what I've heard. Schools like UTI does not impress companies like Ford, GM, and others. Like, they avoid people from those type of schools.

Again, just what I've heard.

[87e30]

You could be an engineer and design them. :)

[ak-]

Make sure you differentiate liking to work on and appreciating "cars" or just your e30.
This sounds mean, but you'll probably grow out of skateboarding if you actually plan on going somewhere in your life(I'm young, skated, and BMX so I'm not being bias).
Take a career counseling class at a community college, they give you good insight.

[Dj Buttchug]

UTI sucks. its a waste of money. granted you can learn somethings there its not the best way to go.

get your foot in the door at a lame ass shop. thats what i did. Learned alot then went to a auto tech program backed by ford and GM. you can learn tons by working around other mechanics. who cares if your sweeping floors or changing oil. the environment teaches you things.

once you have some real knowledge take some ASE tests, get certified and start buying tools!

[5Toes]

^ yup

Just talked to my neighbor about his path as a tech yesterday. Hes 26 now

He started at Toyota as a shop sweeper, etc. Then moved up to an oil tech. Then he moved up to detailing, and eventually to master tech. He got his ASE certifications (and whatever else) along the way.. and also bought a bunch of snap on, etc. along the way too.

He got laid off by the economy, and took a job at Meineke. Said he got fired from there for over doing his job (topping fluids, etc. on a oil change, etc... doing what he did at Toyota).

Dont work at a meineke. Go for a dealer or private shop.

[der affe]

Take auto classes at a CC, it is cheaper and will give you the basics. Then get a job at a shop and work your way up.

It is a hard profession, both to do and on your body. It is, however a good skill to have as there will always be a need to fix cars.

i've been doing it most of my life.

I can also tell you that UTI does not command much respect anymore. Most shops avoid hiring from UTI because it has become a diploma mill.

I have worked with UTI students too, some that graduated with great grades, but they had no idea what they were doing.

I also have friends who graduated from there a long time ago and are great techs.

Working on cars for a living will kill your desire to have it for a hobby too.

[freeride53]

Automotive engineering so so cool. Engineering is cool.
I'm undeclared right now going into the fall, but its either between Economics or some sort of engineering. That would be cool as fuck getting an internship @ a car co.

[Harry's E30]

We are extremely similar haha the only things that seem to interest me are skating and cars except ive already decided on going to a cc and take some auto classes and hopefully continuing on from there

[Tree18is]

UTI sucks. its a waste of money. granted you can learn somethings there its not the best way to go.

check your local community college/trade shool.

dont waste the money. I can count three people 100% wished they would of went to my community college for the same courses.

[slammin.e28]

check your local community college/trade shool.

dont waste the money. I can count three people 100% wished they would of went to my community college for the same courses.

Four now. I went to UTI. It sucked. I learned a little about A/C and electrical. The fucking fuel/engine management class was 90% on carburetors. WTF man?

Plus, they had to dumb it down so much for all the fucking idiots they let in. It'd be a better school if they had an entrance exam and didn't let every fucking idiot on the street in.

They run it like a business. Get 'em in, get their money, and push 'em out.

[1mz]

Midas is a decent shop to consider as well, I've got few friends here who started at the bottom and worked their way to tech - he's a shop foreman now, makes friggin bank. He's got a 1.9L z3 swapped e30 318i as well :). The world can always use more trustworthy, legitimately good mechanics; if you can picture yourself doing it day in and day out for the next 10+ years, go for it. But don't have any illusions, life isn't easy even when you get to the top.

[Bimmerman325i]

I've always liked cars, and since I was studying engineering, I figured I should intern at an automotive company to get my foot in the door. I'd already been doing FSAE for three years, and loved it. The internship experience was amazing but it cured me of any desire to do automotive engineering as a career. I like cars as my hobby, I don't want to live and breathe them every day.

Many people I've talked to have felt the same. Don't do your hobby for a career if you can help it.

[mikeedler]

If you like playing/working with your car, it will only take a few years until you won't want to work on your own car after work. Its hard to take a hobby and make it a job. I always said I would never work as a mech when I was younger- hahahhaha look at me now.

why do I know this, take a peak in my garage at my 55 Chevy that should have been put together along time ago!

[Huff]

^^ What Mike said. A good friend of mine works for Audi and even got me into e30's (the dick). He worked his way up as a hobbist and got various jobs at small shops. Now, he's at a good shop and good company. But, he never works on his own car due to being burnt out on a daily basis. Plus, his body is pretty shot (he's on old skater too) and he's got a short temper.. I blame it all on his job.

Here's his car (and it still has a front euro plate from Mike Edler!)


So, be careful what you wish for. I was really thinking of changing careers and going into that field, but then I realize how frustrating working on my own e30's are.. And I do it for "fun". I look at how burnt out I get from my cars and even injured.. I feel for my friend that has to do it on a daily basis. On cars and people he could care less for. It's not an easy racket.

So, not to be a debbie downer, but do some soul searching before paying for a school. I would try and get some type of job in a shop to test the waters before going into school. Good luck.