question for people in automotive industry

[chosupra]

I am in a career decision crisis right now and I need some honest opinion. Out of high school I've always wanted to become a car mechanic and work on cars for a living. I always had my sight on UTI. I am 21 now and I just registered for the school and after giving it much thought and doing research I am starting to have doubts about the school. Tuition is going to cost me $33,000! How many of you guys who work in auto maintenance, repair, auto body, or parts went to UTI? and will going there really give me a better chance of getting into the field than just going to a community college and taking Automotive Technology? I just wanna know how you guys that work in the automotive field got qualified for your jobs. thanx

 

[x10secondzx2]

I know 4 kids that went to UTI. None of them got jobs when they "graduated."

 

[GrimJack]

Well, I don't work in the auto industry, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

However, I do know several people who do, and all of them went to local technical colleges.

Furthermore, I know a few guys who went through the entire process, school, apprentice, journeyman, then realized this wasn't a career they wanted to pursue for the rest of their days.

I would *highly* recommend you visit a local multipurpose shop with some beer and some spare time, talk to the guys who have been in the industry for a long time and see what they think, and whether they would do it again.

The biggest reason to avoid the industry IMO is injury. All the older guys I know who are mechanics are crippled in one way or another... crushed hands, fingers, smashed fingernails, burns - this kind of thing isn't just a chance, seems it's pretty much a given. Broken arms / legs / ribs and so on isn't quite so common, but it's still a decent possibility.

Working on new cars seems to be a lot safer - no parts held on by 15 years of rust. Failing that, working in a performance shop where you're always putting on new parts is a close second. Problem is, both these jobs go to the top guys from school, so unless you've got a record of graduating in the top 10 percent, you're likely to end up stuck in a mom-n-pop brake and muffler shop, working on pieces of crap held together by rust, wire, and *your* blood and sweat.

 

[89nasupra]

well i worked in it for 12 years. i was ASE certified and at 28 decided i had enough. i now work in the oil feild supply business and hope to never have to go back. now i did reair work. if i worked at a performance shop things might be different. but it is up to you and your goals. just my $.02

 

[SupraOfDoom]

My best friend went to Wyotech, BMW school in FL, and ultimately got a job at BMW making $22 an hour. However, quit over 2 years ago and went back to college for Electrical Engineering.

 

[northwestsupra]

i will tell you from my experience so far, i did all of the college "2 year" just finished it also, and so far i have looked at every damn place within a 30 mile radius, online and in person. and so far the only response i have gotten is we cant afford you right now, or dont need anyone currently. the fuckin economy is shit, but by the time your out of school it might be better. i've been jobless for almost 2 years now, and still nothing

 

[Poodles]

Yep, mechanics are one of the LOWEST paid jobs out there. Sure, there are guys working at high end shops making a mint, but the vast majority make jack squat.

I'm a delivery driver for an automotive parts supplier. I see a LOT of shops and I can tell you honestly I probably make more than most of the poor guys sweating their asses off...

 

[mc_h]

I used to be an apprentice mechanic. I got out of that after I realized there was no future and the "master" mechanic that had 30 years exp. was still only making 55k to work on shitboxes all day. And then there's times where you make nothing since you're not hourly per say...I wouldn't spend $2000 on training let alone $30k+, get in a better field.

 

[Moy]

Another thing you should realize about UTI, is that if you decide to not complete their program (drop out), they keep all of the money, you don't get any of it back. So if you want to go to UTI, make sure your very committed to that

 

[SupraOfDoom]

I was happy getting most certifications at the local cheap tech college here. Never did anything with it but I learned a lot so I feel I got my money's worth.

 

[yayfish24]

I was gonna go to UTI but it was hard getting any kind of info on the school plus the cost is a little too much. Instead Im going to ATC out here in PA. From what I understand UtI graduates have a very hard time getting jobs. ATC helps with job placement even years after u graduate. They are always willing to help you get something. Unfortunitly ATC wouldnt help you due to the fact you are located so far away.

 

[OfnaRcR4]

I went a an automotive college for 2 years and bailed out because of all the horror stories of the job market being no good and the inevitable major change that the whole oil crisis is bringing on. I'd find something else, although i still have no idea what to do..

 

[radiod]

I can't offer much because I was an apprentice for all of 8 months under GM before I got laid off with the whole economic crunch GM problems etc. Because it was slow I didn't get as much work on cars as I wanted, but when I was working on them, I enjoyed it, a lot. I took the apprenticeship position after doing computers for 4 years and took an $8/hr pay cut doing so, but overall I was happier doing the mechanic work. In my opinion if you enjoy the work and you can make it by fine doing what you enjoy, it's WAY better than working for retarded amounts of money but dreading going to work every day. A career is meant to be enjoyed as much as support your lifestyle and spending habbits. It won't be perfect every day, there is always the off day, but as long as you really do enjoy your work you'll never regret it.

 

[fixitman04]

97 wyo tech grad here, took every class they had, was a great school, learned a lot, gave me some great skills.......but!

1:do not rely on them for a job.
2:you must be committed to getting what they have to offer
3:expect to start at an entry level even with school, you will advance quickly though compared to other entry techs
4: you will never get rich unless you own the shop, and even that is break even at best!
5: expect to get hurt!!! it will eventually happen!
6: arthritis...
7: retirement at an early age due to 5 & 6, so plan for it
8: 20-50000$ in tools within the first 5 years
9:went 30000$ in debt due to tuition.....paid for now
10: the list goes on and on!


im currently taking my joyous hobby back by not working as a tech anymore ......ever

i am now a industrial mechanic... i dont work on any cars except my toys
im making 5 times the $ that i would in the auto industry.....book time sucks ass, you cannot break even due to lack of work in the shops.....18-30$per hour quickly becomes 5$per hour when you put in 20 or less book hours in a 40hr week due to sitting on your ass with nothing to do but lof's which pay .15hrs and take 30 min to do because of that checklist! if you dont upsell on a lof you starve , but if you do you feel like a sleeze.

im making 55$hr on the clock, double pay for weekends and all the benifits ....and training a kid wet behind the ears, with no exp. making the same $$$he only has a local tech industrial class under his belt....... read whatever you want out of that!

end rant... and saved you the damn beer!

would i do it again...nope! id spend a third of the cash on a local tech, get a degree and have the same job!

 

[fixitman04]

i will tell you from my experience so far, i did all of the college "2 year" just finished it also, and so far i have looked at every damn place within a 30 mile radius, online and in person. and so far the only response i have gotten is we cant afford you right now, or dont need anyone currently. the fuckin economy is shit, but by the time your out of school it might be better. i've been jobless for almost 2 years now, and still nothing

www.simplot.com they are a great co to work for , and pay well. you may have to start at an apprentice level but advancement is quick:naughty:
at least the foodgroup is, that is the division i work for. we have a few plants in wash.

 

[chosupra]

97 wyo tech grad here, took every class they had, was a great school, learned a lot, gave me some great skills.......but!

1:do not rely on them for a job.
2:you must be committed to getting what they have to offer
3:expect to start at an entry level even with school, you will advance quickly though compared to other entry techs
4: you will never get rich unless you own the shop, and even that is break even at best!
5: expect to get hurt!!! it will eventually happen!
6: arthritis...
7: retirement at an early age due to 5 & 6, so plan for it
8: 20-50000$ in tools within the first 5 years
9:went 30000$ in debt due to tuition.....paid for now
10: the list goes on and on!


im currently taking my joyous hobby back by not working as a tech anymore ......ever

i am now a industrial mechanic... i dont work on any cars except my toys
im making 5 times the $ that i would in the auto industry.....book time sucks ass, you cannot break even due to lack of work in the shops.....18-30$per hour quickly becomes 5$per hour when you put in 20 or less book hours in a 40hr week due to sitting on your ass with nothing to do but lof's which pay .15hrs and take 30 min to do because of that checklist! if you dont upsell on a lof you starve , but if you do you feel like a sleeze.

im making 55$hr on the clock, double pay for weekends and all the benifits ....and training a kid wet behind the ears, with no exp. making the same $$$he only has a local tech industrial class under his belt....... read whatever you want out of that!

end rant... and saved you the damn beer!

would i do it again...nope! id spend a third of the cash on a local tech, get a degree and have the same job!

Wow! thanks for the input and advice. Good to hear from someone who's been there and done that.

 

[chosupra]

Well, I don't work in the auto industry, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

However, I do know several people who do, and all of them went to local technical colleges.

Furthermore, I know a few guys who went through the entire process, school, apprentice, journeyman, then realized this wasn't a career they wanted to pursue for the rest of their days.

I would *highly* recommend you visit a local multipurpose shop with some beer and some spare time, talk to the guys who have been in the industry for a long time and see what they think, and whether they would do it again.

The biggest reason to avoid the industry IMO is injury. All the older guys I know who are mechanics are crippled in one way or another... crushed hands, fingers, smashed fingernails, burns - this kind of thing isn't just a chance, seems it's pretty much a given. Broken arms / legs / ribs and so on isn't quite so common, but it's still a decent possibility.

Working on new cars seems to be a lot safer - no parts held on by 15 years of rust. Failing that, working in a performance shop where you're always putting on new parts is a close second. Problem is, both these jobs go to the top guys from school, so unless you've got a record of graduating in the top 10 percent, you're likely to end up stuck in a mom-n-pop brake and muffler shop, working on pieces of crap held together by rust, wire, and *your* blood and sweat.

Thanks for your input and advice. Now when I think about it I don't know if this is something I would want to be doing for the rest of my days. Really eye opening! Thanx