0verb00st

I am currently about to finish my first year in college. I have a 2.5 as of now. I don't know if this whole college thing is for me and am considering my options. Are there any rotary tech schools in Washington? What are my options as far as in state auto tech schools are concerned?

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

eeekkk don't be a mechanic ..... it sucks ....

pinoyremix

do you really need to go to tech school??..you could just try to learn from ppl like Jeff20b or try to work for like atkins or something...

unleashedrx

ya dont become mechanic pay sucks and bosses always try to screw you out of pay

zack4173

iTrader: (3)

I dont think that there is any rotary mechanic classes outside of mazda. Im not 100% sure on that though but most people just learn from working on there own cars and talking to other owners.

0verb00st

so being a mechanic = fail and I should just tough it out and finish college?

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

yes, definitely.

Mechanic - non skilled labor
good -
you can fix all your friends cars
can make some cool cars
requires little to no schooling


bad -
you are greasy dirty every day
little pay
no room to grow
physical work
Profession not considered ... ... glamorous haha not really something useful when applying to another job (unless its directly related) ( I don't know many girls that say, I want to marry a mechanic...)
with little to no schooling it's hard to move up in the world and get a real job.
general quality of life is low.

regular - job skilled labor job-
good -
better pay with room to grow
your clean after a day of work - but take a shower anyways ...
even if you switch jobs you can build a resume
general quality of life is dependant on the personal ability and will, but has a chance to be much higher.

bad -
can be boring doing the same thing every day / paperwork
have rules and you have to show up on time, and work 8-5 EVERY DAY


Anyways, I'm not your mommy, but I REALLY recommend you graduate college. I think of graduating college, what graduating high school used to be 15 years ago. It's almost necessary to move up in life.

What ever decision you make, good luck. I like to think of it like 4 years of not the most fun, for 60 years of MUCH easier life. (money and such) Also I personally consider college life VERY fun, and much better than a 8-5 job for low cash, for now.

~Tweak

notveryhappyjack

iTrader: (4)

what degree are you working towards? all the time I question my degree choice. I'm planning on just getting it and moving on from there.

0verb00st

Either business or sociology...I know its a big either but both of those majors have a wide verity of possible career choices.

z-beater

I have always felt a degree OR a trade is what you need. I know tons of people who do pretty well w/o a degree. Almost all of them had to go through on the job training though and it was around 3-6 years of education before they started making real money.

jdmdavey

iTrader: (3)

Don't get discouraged do what you ENJOY! That is the key.I'm a mechanic.Started out going to college for general ed.. I did fine in school it just wasn't for me. Went to Automotive Tech school for 2 years. Loved it. And am now a professional Crane and Hydraulic Mechanic, started out at $19/ hour with full benefits and 401K.. better than most 4 year college grads in my opinion. I think people really misunderstand what it takes to be a professional mechanic it isnt just being a grease monkey anymore. Non Skilled Labor.. I dont know about that...It takes technical know how, computer, electronic, diagnostic and other skills just to get started. Not to mention thousands, and I mean 30-40k, in tools and equipment. And you do have opportunity to grow? The more experience you gain allows you to gain pay and even new job titles. Working for the county as a mechanic around the area I am in Starts at $27.60/hour, but requires atleast 5 years of experience.. Tell me theres no room for advancement there? Yeah, you do get dirty and it does suck sometimes, but I wouldn't trade working out in the sunshine enjoying myself for anything. Rotting behind a desk is just not for me. You don't have to be an Automotive Mechanic either. I tried it, and frankly didn't like it. Plus working on cars all day doesnt make you want to go home and wrench on the 7. Working in industrial fields such as I do with Cranes, or any heavy equipment is the way to go. The pay is better, thats for sure. I'm not trying to insult anybody here. If you want to work at a nice desk job thats fine, go for it, somebody has to. But if you truly love working with your hands, welding and doing all that stuff thats related to mechanics. Don't look back you wont regret it..
just my .02.. well i guess that was like .50
-Dave.







This Is what I work on...You cant tell me working at 300ft.. isnt cool. I dont know many people that can say they work on this ****!! Dont Drop a bolt, if you do your fucked.

Rotarbeast

my company is hiring, if you want to commute to kirkland. its sales. huge oppertunities. ive been here 6 months and am being considered for a manager position

RyosukeD

iTrader: (2)

You got some ***** davey.. Just looking at those pictures made my crap my pants a little.

hansaysso

hey overboost, i'm kinda in the same boat your in. i'm going to UW, and although i love the people and professors there, i feel more and more like its not for me. i wanted to open up my own performance shop someday (yea yea i'm an idiot, go ahead and flame) because i'm not the type of person to sit and do paperwork all day, but it seems in this age you need a degree of some sort to be able to get anywhere in life (not saying that its not possible). my plan was to graduate from UW, and then go to a tech school for auto work, so i could open my own place with both a degree and license but school is expensive, and time is even more expensive than that. so i'm lost as to what i want to do now, but i think you should do what makes you happy and what your true passion is in life, or else you'll just be miserable. hopefully i can follow my own advice!

RyosukeD

iTrader: (2)

If you open up a shop, i'll come work for you.


I'm with you guys. Although I would love a profession with some big bucks, I don't really see myself in it. I love cars and especially love the rotary and it's kind of of depressing that outside of mazda, and going over to Japan, there isn't much for us. I don't have a problem learning on my own or with the help of some of the good guys from this forum, it will just take a little longer. Do what you love, and you never know... You might fall into a profession you love and make some good money at the same time.

0verb00st

I was planning on opening a shop too, hence the business major. I love working on my car, but dont want to end up working on other peoples junk (normal drivers that dont know how to change their oil and air filters). I was planning on opening a performance auto shop that specializes in Japanese super cars ie. RX-7, Supra and Skyline. I was thinking about importing these cars as well and selling them on the side. Cars = money. Starting a business = more money. Bottom line, I need money in order to live my dream so I think I will stick with college, at least until I come up with a better plan. Who knows, down the line we might be able to collaborate our efforts, skills and resources and start a company.

dhays

iTrader: (1)

I agree with much of what Dave wrote. I went to college and then to graduate school, so I'm a strong believer in the value of higher education. My daughter is in college now (and NO, none of you turds can date her) and I'm hoping my high school age son goes on to college as well.

However, I know several kids who have gone through UTI in Arizona. It is a very demanding two year trade school in Phoenix. For the kids that make it through the program, they can just about take a pick of automotive or diesel mechanic jobs. Many of the grads go directly into factory school and then on to dealer service depts.

As a non-mechanic, I see a mechanic as a skilled trade. Maybe I'm a minority, but I have a very high opinion of skilled mechanics. I see it as a very honest and valuable way to earn a living for those that enjoy it.

For anyone that wants to open their own shop someday, I strongly urge you to stay in college and get a business degree. My optometric practice is a small business yet I've never taken a business degree. I knew all about eyes coming out of school, but knew nothing of business. I don't recommend the on-the-job-training approach to learning how to run a business. If you get a business degree and then go on to a tech college or trade school to learn mechanics, then you will be well equipped to run a shop someday. Also, it is simply not possible to open or buy business without financing. Unless you are fortunate to have rich and generous relatives, you will need to present a bank with a business plan for financing. They will be much more willing to listen if you can speak the language of business and finance rather than just mechanics.

Finally, owning your own business is probably the most difficult thing you could ever do. It is possible to make a living owning a small business, but you won't get rich doing it and every day will be filled with headaches and worries that your employees will never understand. If you love working with your hands, find that you have a natural affinity for mechanics, and you really enjoy it, then it may be that finding a good job as Dave has is the best way to go.

tallbozo

iTrader: (5)

College is pointless unless you have a reason for it! Im going so I can be an accountant and make good money and work steady. With a steady paycheck I'll be able to have fun outside of work and work on projects and whatnot without worrying about pay. I like math and working the routine 8-5 m-f. Thats just me...

I had a friend who graduated highschool and said screw college. Now he's a automotive painter and makes good money w/o college. Another friend went to Wyotec and now he works for a custom automotive shop and makes good money. Its all about what you do with the skills you have. If you don't see yourself being able to be a mechanic, then find something you would want to do that you enjoy. Its all about knowing what you are good at and go for it!

MrR3dR3d

YO HAN SAME HERE if you open up a shop im down to come work. and my opinion on this matter will be short. Just do what you believe makes you happy. In any job you take theres always room to grow. it just takes a little more time then other things. if you really love working on cars then be a mechanic. if you think its just a small hobbie finish college get a job and just work as one part time? i dont know thats what my uncle does and he makes pretty good money on the side.

dhays

iTrader: (1)

That is certainly a common view. However, I don't view college as just an expensive trade school. There is a lot more to a good education than just learning a trade (in your case accounting) or as just a way to get admitted to the club (in your case, the CPA exam).

A college education should be valuable for the wide range of knowledge it imparts and more importantly inculcate the ability to think and learn critically. There is a reason why many companies will only high college grads. Not for the degree they earned, but for the perceived benefits of a liberal arts education.

A college degree is expensive however, and not everyone has the skills necessary to succeed in that environment. It isn't a matter of how smart someone is, but just how they think. I'd never make it through a top trade school to become a mechanic because I just don't have enough of that type of intelligence to succeed. Fitting contact lenses, prescribing glaucoma medications, or removing metal fragments from the cornea are simple for me. Understanding how a fuel injection system works however just baffles me.

Icemastr

iTrader: (2)

dhays is totally right. College should be looked at as education and experience that will benefit you greatly throughout the rest of your life in everything you do. It is far from just a good job, it will make you a better problem solver and help you become better at dealing with people. It will help you with your relationships and show you paths that you may really enjoy that you never though of before.

The freshman year of college is tough, if you just graduated from high school then it is probably a big change for you. You should stick with it, explore different majors and career options and graduate. If you are really unmotivated maybe you should take a year or two off to work full time, you might be a lot more motivated to go back and finish college and do a lot better. Going to a trade school when you are so young is a bad idea in my opinion.

I thought I could make plenty of money without going to college, I worked for a year at a job I hated and then went to a short training program and worked another two years at another job I hated. I made decent money but ended up with $8000 of debt for training that I wont use anymore because I realized I hated the job and quit. After working for three years I went to college and now I am just about to graduate from UW and I already have a position at Microsoft with a salary much higher than I ever made before and I get to do what I love.

The major I chose helped me get my job, but even if it didn't I am much smarter and I have a lot more potential to succeed at whatever work I choose to do. I really wish I could take back the three years I wasted before college, but in the end it worked out for me and I was much more motivated to do well in college.

My advice is to finish college and find a career doing something you love. That may be working on engines, or something else that having a college degree isn't required, but no matter what your education will help.

dhays

iTrader: (1)

Well.... maybe you can date my daughter.

Healing

Maybe you should consider Mechanical Engineering?

I'm at UW too, and considered ME and getting involved with the Formula SAE program there. But then I decided I didn't want cars to define my entire life, and have them stay just a hobby.

hansaysso

healing, yea i was actually thinking i may do the Mechanical Engineering field. i just don't know. i guess i'll branch out, because i came into school thinking i'd only do business but who knows. thanks for the tips all!