Need advice into getting into a real automotive job.

[Kozworth]

Hey guys,

I've been wanting to get into an actual automotive job, by which I mean doing anything past oil changes.

History:

Owned and worked on 4 vws, a lot of basic maintenance and suspension work.

2 Years automotive schooling, no less then a B in my classes.

6 months with my e30. Replaced timing belt/wp tensioner, idle issues, dropped the exhaust and driveshaft quite a few times, short shift kit, basic maintenance, of which to name.


Thats just a brief background. The position that I am at right now is I am making decent money changing oil. Acutally, its more or less filling tires and topping off fluids, and changing the once in a while topside filters. The guys I work with are a bunch of assholes, haters, whatever you wanna call them. Drama bringers, and really just not my style. I am a quiet kid whos there to learn and just put in a good days work, not complain and bitch about how your life is shitty and how you have it worse then everyone else.

Anyways, my manager as of lately has been a real tool. He is supposed to help us and manage what we do, but since his recent smart phone purchase he has been elsewere (not even by the cars, off to the carwash chatting it up with other employees). We have to stand there and work, do his duties, as he plays on his phone and talks to people while making more money.

I understand that this is life, and life isnt glamourous, but I feel that I am better then just oil changes and do not need this drama crap for a dead end job.

I talked to my teacher, and pretty much hooked me up with a job at a private shop. Pretty much. Met up with the guy, went really good, and told me to call him the following monday to arrange the pay rate and hours. I called him 3-4 times, could not reach him. So I left him a message on his machine, have not heard from him (about a month). He has my resume and my number written. Somewhat works out though, because the commute was a bit far.

What im trying to get at is, I am an eager 20 year old who just basically wants to get experience. I am making 11.50 an hour plus comission changing oil, Id take 8$ an hour and experience of working in a shop. I could use the money, but I am in it to learn.

I was wondering what approaches you guys would recommend, all I got is stopping by in small private gas station garages and asking around or the yellow pages. I know most places would intern non paid, but I kinda need something (since I am still going to school and need to atleast fund my gas).

Also, if you guys had any views on generic shops (sts, midas, etc). I would rather not, it seems id be stuck doing the tire rotation oil change deal. I want a personal one on one with a guy whos been in the business and I could possibly move up in his business.

Thanks, and sorry for this long novel of a post. I just honestly do not have much luck as of recently and figured someone else had to be in my position

[samiam3356]

My advice is go talk to some guys that have done 20-30 years and see if that is where you want to be when its too late to change careers.

[devon.818]

My advice is go talk to some guys that have done 20-30 years and see if that is where you want to be when its too late to change careers.

i've do this a lot, the majority dislike it. they dont see it as fun or enjoyable, just another job, however everyone says if i can find a niche, like working for a good company on a specific model or in somesort of R/R field, then that would be way more rewarding.



OP, im a little younger than you, haven't started school yet, do side work for friends and people i know, love being dirty and turning a wrench and thats all i want to do. hope you get what you want man, GL

[xwill112x]

im 20 have 3 ase's , epa 609, all data cert, some more random certs...just took a job for 8 an hour (not turn time) changing oil...also having to provide all of my own tools. it would take me a year to replace my tools at this pay rate should something happen. Get used to it man. Automotive field is full of bullheaded old guys who hate the younger guys comming in cause we're a threat to their job security and we dont have years and years of experience. Get used to it.

[Exodus_2pt0]

26 years old, Master ASE Certified as well as Nissan Specialist.

I hated the work until I got my own shop. If you go into it, set a goal to work for yourself.

['e30love']

i work at hyundai as a service tech(still learning alot) i do all the basic oil changes,rotations,balance,alignments, and flush fluids etc. im still hourly and they send me to hyundai school to train. personally i love it. maybe mot for the rest of my life but i am learning alot and have been offered great job opportunities. try a dealer some take you in with certification and train you. good luck!

[VANOS714]

All the techs I know always complain of how awful they're life is but yet again they don't tell you how much they make in only a few hours. $$$$
If you really have a passion for automobiles I say go for it.

[Dj Buttchug]

its really all about ASE's if you want to work anywhere legit. Even though there are lots of guys out there who are good at turning wrenches ASE certs can set you apart from the others.

[Exodus_2pt0]

All the techs I know always complain of how awful they're life is but yet again they don't tell you how much they make in only a few hours. $$$$
If you really have a passion for automobiles I say go for it.

Oh you can make big bucks... As long as the work is there.

5 hours for ball joints on an Explorer, have it done in an hour. This industry does indeed have it's perks. There just has to be cars coming in the door.

[Vivek]

Oh you can make big bucks... As long as the work is there.

5 hours for ball joints on an Explorer, have it done in an hour. This industry does indeed have it's perks. There just has to be cars coming in the door.

So did you charge for 5 hours at like 75-85 an hour? Not sure whether to think this would be dishonest, or awesome for making 400 bucks in an hour's time.

[der affe]

^ this and you need the experience to get to the point where you are beating the clock. When you first start doing it, the clock beats you.

It only gets easier with experience. You CAN make really good money, but you need good writers and lots of cars comming in. there can be days where you may not have any cars to work on when it is slow. You learn not to just spend all that great money as soon as you make it.

The initial purchasing of tools can also be a killer.

[der affe]

So did you charge for 5 hours at like 75-85 an hour? Not sure whether to think this would be dishonest, or awesome for making 400 bucks in an hour's time.

The tech does not get paid $75/$80 an hour. Usually it is around $20 to $30 a flat rate hour. The rest goes to the shop. Around here the average shop rate is between $90 to $110 a flat rate hour.

[dchun]

So did you charge for 5 hours at like 75-85 an hour? Not sure whether to think this would be dishonest, or awesome for making 400 bucks in an hour's time.

Each job is sold by number of hours. The typical flat rate system will charge X number of hours for a job and also pay the tech the same number of hours regardless of how fast or slow the job is done.

The shop can more or less decide what to charge the customer but there is a general guideline that most shops follow.

Of course this changes when warranty is involved. Warranty hours are determined by the manufacturer since they are paying for the labor. Warranty hours are usually much less than an out of pocket order.

There are many jobs that an experienced tech can "beat" the time on but just as many that you can get screwed on.

[jrobie79]

nascar pit crews/mechanics make like 200K a year

[der affe]

The problem with working on race crews is there is a ton of traveling, so you are almost never home during the season and testing.

There is also an attitude by your employers, unless you are a big name established player, " you don't like it, there is always 10 people waiting to take your place".