Need advice into getting into a real automotive job.

[TurboJake]

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.

[mamzak]

Are you set on automotive? Given any thought into the Heavy Equipment side of things? I honestly really really enjoy working on equipment. It's SO much easier to work on first of all, everything is designed for serviceability, not aesthetics, so you aren't fighting with stupid ass plastic clips and all that bullshit. Oh, and 1st year apprentices at the company I'm currently with are making $29/hr. Companies that can drop a couple mill on a truck can afford to pay well.

[deutschman]

I dont know much about the automotive field but I can tell you this. I have worked as a carpenter, stone mason, butcher, deli sandwich maker, every position you can work in a kitchen, and am now a Sous Chef at a small catering company. When it comes to trades like being an auto mechanic, carpenter, butcher, or cook it all comes down to the time you put in and the passion you have for your job. The more time you spend learning about what you are doing, and the more you can show you really love what your doing and that you are dedicate to your trade, the more success you will have.
I know some auto techs and they have all told me that they went through a few years of what you are going though now. It is the same in the kitchen. I spent years of my life washing, peeling, frying, getting yield at by unhappy older guys, and just being generally hot and miserable. Look at it as a test. If you can make it though this time in your life, and still have a good attitude and be able to show people who care that you have good work ethic, that you are willing and able to learn, and that you have skill, then you can make it.
A piece of advice that comes from me and other much much more accomplished and successful people. Jobs and employers always make it seam like it is all about what you can give them, and most employees spend their time thinking about that. How ever, you should always be wondering about what you are getting from the job. It is a two way street. Money is all good, but a job should provide you with training to make you better at what you do. If you dont get that, or do get that but have come to a point that your job can not teach you anything new, MOVE ON!!!
A hard fact is that no matter where you work or what you do you will be surrounded by unhappy people who do not appreciate what they have and spend their entire miserable existence ragging on their job and their coworkers spreading unneeded drama and discord where ever they go. All I can tell you about that is do not pay them any attention. They are unhappy and are just trying to pull you along with them so that they are not alone in their unhappiness.
I am also a quiet kind of guy. I grew up in a large German family with a very traditional mother. We were taught that hard work is rewarded, that you do not make excuses under any circumstances, that you do not talk back, and that you should be extremely grateful for everything you receive, and that you should own and be responsible for all your mistakes. These qualities show in how I work and perform my tasks at work and have gotten me farther then other people I know in a shorter amount of time.
Find a job that challenges you, and plow through the bull shit of being a newb. Keep your head down and your ears and eyes open at all times. You will make it.

[SkiFree]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
__________________

Quoted again..... make yourself valuable, this applies universally to anyone striving for a certain career (myself included).

For experience, find any race-prep shop or restoration shop (to search, spend some time out at a local race track and write down the names shops, suppliers, etc. and go from there [but NOT while at the track, take the time to stop by their respective HQ's]), typically you'll be more likely to find people with similar passions, so they'll generally be more willing to take a risk on you or at least let you stick around (to do grunt work) in exchange for knowledge.

deutschman - If you don't bring me something tasty while at Bimmerfest..... well, please bring something.

[deutschman]

deutschman - If you don't bring me something tasty while at Bimmerfest..... well, please bring something.

I am planning on bringing some home made bratwurst ;) That and a beer should be worth a set of 8mm spark plugs ha?

[Kozworth]

Ive seen a lot of good points about flat rate, and I am not really too interested in a dealer. Ive heard a ton of nightmares about flat rate being terrible, opposed to people liking it.

However, I think I could do a dealer job if they did have me training like one of the posters does at Hyundai. I would really prefer the private shop atmosphere, and stirr away from the "company policy" type of a feel in a midas or sts. By this I mean acting a certain way or having a certain work ethic because thats what STS or Midas feels works the most efficiently.

Over break, I am going to look around and stop in at local shops hopefully to meet some people and get some advice.

As for one poster said, I am decently set for automotive. I am graduating with my associates in the Fall, and honestly need a break from the whole "college" thing ive worked hard the past 3 years. I would possibly reconsider reschooling in the future if automotive does not work out, but as of now automotive (espec. for e30s) is what I do all day everday (forum lurk, bentley reading, applying my physics class to auto theory, pretty much there isnt a day that goes by that I do not try to learn something new on my car).

Though, if I had to change fields I would probably be a cop. Im 6'4'', 220 lbs, and would enjoy the perk of driving my (hopefully soon boosted) 325i as I please HAH

[Liam]

After 30 years of this shit... My advice?

If you are smart enough to be a mechanic... You're too smart to be a mechanic.

[slaterd]

I started at a local privately owned repair shop about 6 months ago doing oil changes. On my down time between oil changes I asked if the guys cared if I watched them work on the cars or if they needed help, learned how to repair brakes, starters, coolant flushes, and proved it to my manager. This only took about 2 months and they gave me a promotion of getting hourly pay including work time of the starters and brakes. Doesn't sound like much but my checks went from 400 weekly to 600. Don't go to school or anything, there's too manyt strings attached. Just go to a local shop, start off doing oil changes and work from there and learn as you go.