Froggmann

Ok I'm about to give up on UTI, if their instruction is anything like the way they handle their admissions then I'll spend my money elsewhere. So far my impression of them is they are a bunch of lazy, overbearing idiots. Anyways does someone here know of any decent Auto Tech programs where I can get some sort of degree, required certs etc. on a federal loan program and that will not be a waste of my time. My only other requirement is anything local to Buena Park, Right now I have only one working vehicle and that one only gets 10 MPG, so extensive commuting is out of the question. My other option is to work at someone's shop on the weekends, If anyone has any recomendations I'd be glad to hear them.

As for the second option, I do have quite a bit of experiance as a "Shade tree" mechanic so I can do most work on a vehicle. There are some systems I don't have experiance with and so far I don't have any credentials becides my "Shade tree" and race car experiance. I do have a limited ammount of hand tools, usually the standard stuff to do most any job. That is if I can keep one of my roomates out of them.

Anyways any ideas? I'm just tired of this dead end IT bullshit that always ends up where I break even or go into debt every month.

fc3stech

Hmm I checked out UTI before it didn't seem to bad, so I am checking other option as well, I saw a commerical about a auto tech school in long beach its a branch or something of Whyotec maybe you should look into that search wyotec or however you spell it good luck

Froggmann

Really? Can you PM me the name? I work in LB. it would be a heck of a lot less cost prohibitive on my part to head there for instruction.

GUITARJUNKIE28

uti is a joke.

go to a community college and take whatever classes they have. dirt cheap and you'll be able to get your ASE's. after that, you'll have a lot of opportunity.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Check out those occupational centers. Just like martial arts, they will just teach you the basic. it will be up to you how to use it.

You can get free training at the junkyard. Bring your FSM, tools and lunch too. oh wait, they have a roach coach in front, so forget about lunch.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

ditto what guitarjunkie and wacky said, the tech schools only care about your money not teaching you and hands on training is better than any other training out there so even though wacky may have sounded like he was joking it is seriously the best way to learn.

why spend $40k to go to UTI? you won't be making $100k a year like they say, i have worked in the industry for 15 years and only make $40-50k a year, you may make up to $60k at a european shop or even more if you have no conscience at a flat rate shop but fraud can land you in jail. expect to be making $8.00/hour when you start working and maybe work up to $12 an hour after the first year. (on the rare occasion some people make more, examples are usually shop foremans but it takes years at a single shop to make it to higher position levels.)


don't let these tech school recruiters fool you.

fc3stech

Frogman that school I am not sure though, I would have to wait to see the commercial again yet I don't watch a lot of tv

GUITARJUNKIE28

nothing....NOTHING makes up for experience.

get a job in the industry and go to school. i can't tell you how mus i learned in school that i actually use every single day.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

me either, i didn't learn squat in the tech schools but i was required to go since i was in the union in the bay area, it also looks good to your boss if you take even community college auto tech classes.


if i was an employer i would hire a CC auto tech graduate over a tech school graduate because i have seen how much info those students retain vs the other.

GUITARJUNKIE28

problem with the old mechanics is they don't know **** about computers and that lot.

problem with us young ***** is we don't have the experience with all the GP crap.

i remember working at a shop a few years ago and all they had me do was oil changes and obd2 stuff, while the old guys wouldn't touch a computer, but did all the engine swaps, brake jobs, and that stuff.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

If any of my employee tells me "well, I read it in the RX-7 club that it should..."

That ****** is "FIRED"!!!!

GUITARJUNKIE28

as well they should be

Heisenberg

iTrader: (3)

I deffinetly agree with guitarjunkie. Dont waste your money on one of those schools. Look for a community college that has a good automotive program. From what i hear, Golden West College has a great automotive program.I would deffinetly suggest applying for finiancial aid if you allready havent done so,regardless if you think you will get any. I have worked as a mechanic for about 6 years now. I started when i was really young and apprenticed for a master tech for a couple of years. Nothing beats learning hands on. I suggest trying to get a job just doing some basic mechanical work like LOF's and brakes at first. I persoally dont like the work all that much anymore. But its supporting me while i go to college.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

i started out doing LOFs, minor and major services and washing the bitches cars...

i could've gone this 15 years without having gone to a CC or tech school and still be where i am now.

GUITARJUNKIE28

funny how that works. if i didn't go to school and get all the obd2 training and stuff like that, i would never have got that one job in the first place.

i guess it just depends on what you specialise in. different jobs require different skills.

Froggmann

Basically most of my experiance is on this:

I havent done that in a few years but I usually keep busy working on my truck and when it ran the rex.

Speaking of which Guitarjunkie, is rebuilding my engine something I should bother trying on my own?

GUITARJUNKIE28

depends on if you do it right or not

Nimisys

A good Community college program is basicly the only way to start anymore. most offer GM, Fords or Dodges credential programs on top of it. those programs are nice in that they start you with a sponsoring dealer so you get hands on work while taking classes. when you graduate you at least have a job and 2 years experience. if your impatient or can't make work fit aorund those programs hours, the general classes still generaly work quite well. i know the instructors for the factory cource taught the general classes so the main differnece was less specialization. i went that route, started at 7.50$ an hour washing cars and 2.5 years later i am 15 an hour doing GM vehicle driveline repair. BTW a hard working tech in good shop can do 100k a year, but you got to work for it.

GUITARJUNKIE28

100k is pretty hard to comeby...even by today's standards.
about the only people who'd see that are dealer techs and specialists, but you've got no hope of getting anywhere near that in some random shop.

J.S.J

I worked as a tune up and drive-ability specialist for 20 years. I was one of the top techs in the western region so take my word for it.
If you really want to do this don't train on anything but the highest line cars. Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, etc. The rest (I may have missed one or two) will just be a waist of your working life. My best advise would be is not to go into this field.
Theres no sower grapes here just the business is full of people who steel, cheat and lie. The first thing you learn is not to be honest with the service manager when you make a mistake. When you tell the truth you end up working for next to nothing on that service. If you don't they get mad waste your time or starve you out. I was one of the best and had to move around allot because I just wouldn't play that game. The cars being computerized is a lot of fun if you study hard and apply yourself. The smarter you are the better they treat you. The last 10 years of working I had it made. I wish you the best of luck. P.S. only do electrical and computer controls. be careful with you body, that business can wreck the best of us.
Here is my latest project, 500 hp, turbo 930 transmission/ 2400lbs
http://members.***.net/altjamy/914%20Buildup.600.jpg

GUITARJUNKIE28

^ pretty sound advice.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

ditto, i work for Cadillac and GMC and i only make $25/hour. personally the rotary work i do pays a shitload more but don't get any ideas cause i don't need to lower my prices even more... (though the hours are much longer)


again, i reiterate, unless you work on high end european cars a tech who is making more than $70k a year is doing something fraudulent or seriously into crank/speed, and that is no joke.

GUITARJUNKIE28

if i were into the money i sure as hell wouldn't be spinnin' triangles!