Best Mechanic Schools
#16
12-06-2007, 12:27 AM
I worked as a mechanic...Been there done that...I was on the technical side of it. I liked working on electrical problems but that doesn't pay well. Never the less I quit and got into mortgage and that industry took a dump. Now, I'm in financing...Anyways, best route is take community college to see if you like it at all...Mechanics don't make that much money until they are working in the field for at least 2-3 yrs and they really need to hustle to make a living...
#18
12-06-2007, 08:31 AM
A close friend went and graduated from Wyotech. He now works for TRG. Before going to school he worked in a local shop for Spec Miata and other privateer racing (everything from SCCA World Challange to Nascar road course cars). I recommend that you decide what type of Mechanic you want to be first (racing, dealership...) then decide where to go.
My fiend loves his job, he's very talented and it comes naturally to him. He makes great money, works and drives fantastic cars (GT3's, GT2's, 997, 996, Daytona Protoypes...) but he also travels an enormous amount - 40 weeks a year.
I asked him if Wyotech was worth it. He replied that it is as long as you take classes that correspond to what you want to ultimately do and you go there with a working knowledge. BTW, winters suck there!!!!
My fiend loves his job, he's very talented and it comes naturally to him. He makes great money, works and drives fantastic cars (GT3's, GT2's, 997, 996, Daytona Protoypes...) but he also travels an enormous amount - 40 weeks a year.
I asked him if Wyotech was worth it. He replied that it is as long as you take classes that correspond to what you want to ultimately do and you go there with a working knowledge. BTW, winters suck there!!!!
#19
12-06-2007, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Klumzyee
PM me if you have any questions
I garduated UTI when I was 18 (2006).. when I went it was still $20k (paied the registration fee when I was in highschool) and lucked out at the time I went because I recieved two years of financial aid and always test for the scholarship program (they'll offer it to you once in enroll) I got some $$ out of that also see if your highschool (especially if you have an autoshop) will help you $$ out.. in the end I paid around +$10,000.. which is the main reason why I took it.. seemed like a quick way to some easy $$ but trust me if I can do it over again I'd dump it so quick..
majority of your classmates will be idiots/morons until 4-5months into it.. (then they all drop out).. The school was suppose to be for guys that already had a basic understanding of automotive and you had 3 weeks to get up to speed with everyone and on you go about learning.. now its more of a $$ thing.. if you have $ you're in.. the amount of info covered in todays classes are no where near the amount covered before.. IMO You're better off paying $10-$25 per class at a Junior College..
Lastly what are your goals? I can tell you time cards and pay scale of some very very large dealers and believe me.. the average tech makes $30-$50k... also it depends on who you know as well.. wonce you become a tech it isnt fun and games.. its how to work the system to get you the most amount of hours per day.. you're always checking the clock and the books to make sure you can even get paid for what you do.. and if you get a ****ty service writer that cant sell free candy to a 5 year old then you're seriously out of luck.. I'll tell you now that techs are getting paid less and diag isnt diag anymore.. you do the same 30 sets of problems every day over and over.
the upside is if I know more about cars then I would ever need to in my life time lol.. information becomes very very usefull and will probably earn itself back after a life time of working on your own cars =) and you can ID worth $$ mods to junk that are a waste of $$..
btw dont go to Wyotech lol its not any better and you're in the middle of nowhere..
just to clearify tho.. I've learned ALOT at UTI.. and its excellent once your class size gets smaller and you guys can start flying through projects and do some pretty cool stuff.. =) lastly theres a up and down side to the manufacture programs.. upside is that it'll provide traning on that specific make very well. Downside is not many guys come out of there ready to wrench and make $$.. and you're stuck with the dealer that paid for your schooling for 2 years.. in that two years they can literally screw you on pay and you have stay there or eat the bill.. bascially someone who's seriously interested in it will come out of regular training and make alot more $$ then the guy that went through the manufacture program by the time he graduates the program.
its not about how well you can work on cars.. its about how many hours you can make by the end of the week and how many cars you fix correctly.
- Eric
I garduated UTI when I was 18 (2006).. when I went it was still $20k (paied the registration fee when I was in highschool) and lucked out at the time I went because I recieved two years of financial aid and always test for the scholarship program (they'll offer it to you once in enroll) I got some $$ out of that also see if your highschool (especially if you have an autoshop) will help you $$ out.. in the end I paid around +$10,000.. which is the main reason why I took it.. seemed like a quick way to some easy $$ but trust me if I can do it over again I'd dump it so quick..
majority of your classmates will be idiots/morons until 4-5months into it.. (then they all drop out).. The school was suppose to be for guys that already had a basic understanding of automotive and you had 3 weeks to get up to speed with everyone and on you go about learning.. now its more of a $$ thing.. if you have $ you're in.. the amount of info covered in todays classes are no where near the amount covered before.. IMO You're better off paying $10-$25 per class at a Junior College..
Lastly what are your goals? I can tell you time cards and pay scale of some very very large dealers and believe me.. the average tech makes $30-$50k... also it depends on who you know as well.. wonce you become a tech it isnt fun and games.. its how to work the system to get you the most amount of hours per day.. you're always checking the clock and the books to make sure you can even get paid for what you do.. and if you get a ****ty service writer that cant sell free candy to a 5 year old then you're seriously out of luck.. I'll tell you now that techs are getting paid less and diag isnt diag anymore.. you do the same 30 sets of problems every day over and over.
the upside is if I know more about cars then I would ever need to in my life time lol.. information becomes very very usefull and will probably earn itself back after a life time of working on your own cars =) and you can ID worth $$ mods to junk that are a waste of $$..
btw dont go to Wyotech lol its not any better and you're in the middle of nowhere..
just to clearify tho.. I've learned ALOT at UTI.. and its excellent once your class size gets smaller and you guys can start flying through projects and do some pretty cool stuff.. =) lastly theres a up and down side to the manufacture programs.. upside is that it'll provide traning on that specific make very well. Downside is not many guys come out of there ready to wrench and make $$.. and you're stuck with the dealer that paid for your schooling for 2 years.. in that two years they can literally screw you on pay and you have stay there or eat the bill.. bascially someone who's seriously interested in it will come out of regular training and make alot more $$ then the guy that went through the manufacture program by the time he graduates the program.
its not about how well you can work on cars.. its about how many hours you can make by the end of the week and how many cars you fix correctly.
- Eric
Thanks!
#21
12-07-2007, 03:46 PM
90% of the innovation in new cars is electronic and software related. The ocassion purely mechanical innovation rarely makes up the other 10%.
By the way a mechanic is not a proper mind set for the future engineering technican, technologist, technocrat are better long term goals.
Engineer with a Master's and an MBA is a lot cleaner and doubles the pay check.
By the way a mechanic is not a proper mind set for the future engineering technican, technologist, technocrat are better long term goals.
Engineer with a Master's and an MBA is a lot cleaner and doubles the pay check.
#22
12-07-2007, 04:08 PM
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Okey the whole purpose of UTI or any tech school is to bash through the basics of automotive.. once you can start picturing a electrical circuit like a water system (change volume to volts and pressure to amps) - or anyother method you know.. Start picturing all engines as giant air pumps and an auto trans as simple hydraulics then you're on your way to being a good tech. UTI doesnt concentrate on any particular brands but you will see alot of "cheaper" less innovated cars to keep it simple.. Basics will get you a long way and once you understand that all cars become the same.. Advance and complicated anything becomes just another way to improve effiency.. Duno if I'm explaining this right but everythings really quite simple.. and thats all schools like UTI is going to offer.. Any model specific training is going to be done by the company you work for (like all other jobs.. you go to school for basics).
Why everyones telling you its not worth it is because of the $$$$ it costs to go to those schools.. cause honestly cars are quite simple.. same concept we've had since the very first cars.. just different way of doing things with different materials.. so IMO go to a JC and learn the basics.. if you want to pursuit that career as a tech go for it.. if not then do something else =) but at least your not down +$30,000 - btw like I said in the PM UTI offers partial/full scholarships.. go register and take the test ($75 or it was $75 anyways) and if you get lucky by all means go for it.. if not then.. oh well..
Why everyones telling you its not worth it is because of the $$$$ it costs to go to those schools.. cause honestly cars are quite simple.. same concept we've had since the very first cars.. just different way of doing things with different materials.. so IMO go to a JC and learn the basics.. if you want to pursuit that career as a tech go for it.. if not then do something else =) but at least your not down +$30,000 - btw like I said in the PM UTI offers partial/full scholarships.. go register and take the test ($75 or it was $75 anyways) and if you get lucky by all means go for it.. if not then.. oh well..
#25
12-07-2007, 10:09 PM
Originally Posted by Klumzyee
Okey the whole purpose of UTI or any tech school is to bash through the basics of automotive.. once you can start picturing a electrical circuit like a water system (change volume to volts and pressure to amps) - or anyother method you know.. Start picturing all engines as giant air pumps and an auto trans as simple hydraulics then you're on your way to being a good tech. UTI doesnt concentrate on any particular brands but you will see alot of "cheaper" less innovated cars to keep it simple.. Basics will get you a long way and once you understand that all cars become the same.. Advance and complicated anything becomes just another way to improve effiency.. Duno if I'm explaining this right but everythings really quite simple.. and thats all schools like UTI is going to offer.. Any model specific training is going to be done by the company you work for (like all other jobs.. you go to school for basics).
Why everyones telling you its not worth it is because of the $$$$ it costs to go to those schools.. cause honestly cars are quite simple.. same concept we've had since the very first cars.. just different way of doing things with different materials.. so IMO go to a JC and learn the basics.. if you want to pursuit that career as a tech go for it.. if not then do something else =) but at least your not down +$30,000 - btw like I said in the PM UTI offers partial/full scholarships.. go register and take the test ($75 or it was $75 anyways) and if you get lucky by all means go for it.. if not then.. oh well..
Why everyones telling you its not worth it is because of the $$$$ it costs to go to those schools.. cause honestly cars are quite simple.. same concept we've had since the very first cars.. just different way of doing things with different materials.. so IMO go to a JC and learn the basics.. if you want to pursuit that career as a tech go for it.. if not then do something else =) but at least your not down +$30,000 - btw like I said in the PM UTI offers partial/full scholarships.. go register and take the test ($75 or it was $75 anyways) and if you get lucky by all means go for it.. if not then.. oh well..
#26
12-07-2007, 10:20 PM
majority of your classmates will be idiots/morons until 4-5months into it..
That is so true. There was also people here just for the finacial check's that come in. So as that came in, Alot of people went
bascially someone who's seriously interested in it will come out of regular training and make alot more $$ then the guy that went through the manufacture program by the time he graduates the program.
That is also true too. I got a interview at Honda and Chervolet and most they want a person that has been teached in there training at there class. They really didn't care if you have a certificated and had 5 year experience. There still going to start you low, intil you start taking the dealers class.
Also on another question
Why should someone care how much they get paid on what the love doing.
That is so true. There was also people here just for the finacial check's that come in. So as that came in, Alot of people went
bascially someone who's seriously interested in it will come out of regular training and make alot more $$ then the guy that went through the manufacture program by the time he graduates the program.
That is also true too. I got a interview at Honda and Chervolet and most they want a person that has been teached in there training at there class. They really didn't care if you have a certificated and had 5 year experience. There still going to start you low, intil you start taking the dealers class.
Also on another question
Why should someone care how much they get paid on what the love doing.
#27
12-07-2007, 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrooge
Also on another question
Why should someone care how much they get paid on what the love doing.
. Look at how much some people put into their car. lol good point though. Just do good at what you do and you will make good money, that is with any job.Thanks!
#28
01-28-2009, 11:21 AM
Okey the whole purpose of UTI or any tech school is to bash through the basics of automotive.. once you can start picturing a electrical circuit like a water system (change volume to volts and pressure to amps) - or anyother method you know.. Start picturing all engines as giant air pumps and an auto trans as simple hydraulics then you're on your way to being a good tech. UTI doesnt concentrate on any particular brands but you will see alot of "cheaper" less innovated cars to keep it simple.. Basics will get you a long way and once you understand that all cars become the same.. Advance and complicated anything becomes just another way to improve effiency.. Duno if I'm explaining this right but everythings really quite simple.. and thats all schools like UTI is going to offer.. Any model specific training is going to be done by the company you work for (like all other jobs.. you go to school for basics).
Why everyones telling you its not worth it is because of the $$$$ it costs to go to those schools.. cause honestly cars are quite simple.. same concept we've had since the very first cars.. just different way of doing things with different materials.. so IMO go to a JC and learn the basics.. if you want to pursuit that career as a tech go for it.. if not then do something else =) but at least your not down +$30,000 - btw like I said in the PM UTI offers partial/full scholarships.. go register and take the test ($75 or it was $75 anyways) and if you get lucky by all means go for it.. if not then.. oh well..
Why everyones telling you its not worth it is because of the $$$$ it costs to go to those schools.. cause honestly cars are quite simple.. same concept we've had since the very first cars.. just different way of doing things with different materials.. so IMO go to a JC and learn the basics.. if you want to pursuit that career as a tech go for it.. if not then do something else =) but at least your not down +$30,000 - btw like I said in the PM UTI offers partial/full scholarships.. go register and take the test ($75 or it was $75 anyways) and if you get lucky by all means go for it.. if not then.. oh well..
Thank God for search. Anyway, I'm also at this crossroad in my life. I was recently down sized after working nearly 2 years in the health care industry due to a merger.
My story is posted above in the purple link. Anyway, I've always loved cars and wanted to make my career from working in this industry. I have an angle ( entrepreneur of course ) I'd like to work from and felt that its time I get the proper training necessary to pursue my dreams.
Recently, I setup an appointment to go in and tour the UTI campus and really loved what I saw and what was available to students as far as education and resources.
The only thing that left my eyes wide open was the price tag. I was told that due to me being recently laid off, I may have more options for financial aid. Another thing I found out was that if I worked there full time, I could go to school for free.
I was like WOW that sounds great. Only problem is the schedules conflict between work and school. After interviewing with them this week, I discovered that part time employment won't allow them to pay for my schooling (which at the end of the day would help tremendously)
If you were me right now, what would you do? I have a BS in Communications from UIUC (Urbana) and over 5 years work experience (half business/other half healthcare sales) and figured it was time I stop making other people $$$$ and start working on my own dream so in 5 years I can be in a better place financially where I'm on my own doing and enjoying life better than I am now
Thanks for reading
-Mike
#29
01-28-2009, 09:16 PM
Well I am 16 and like working on motor vehicles. I am just trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. It is very hard to find places that dont rip you off when it comes labor and it is VERY rare to find someone to do a good job/quality work. We all know how expensive Infiniti shops are. And they are inconsistant with quality(but some great dealerships out there).
So I was thinking on going to school for tuning/mechanical/electrical studies. Then go from there on expanding my knowledge. I would like to open my own shop for repairs to start out with and then go to tuning, dyno, paint, and wash cars. So pretty much a one stop shop. Although I would have a specialist for each field so it is top notch quality. Then branch out. What do you guys think? No shops in philly except Philly Dyno Works that I know of.
So go to my local community college, take courses, then find a job to gain experience?
Thanks guys!
So I was thinking on going to school for tuning/mechanical/electrical studies. Then go from there on expanding my knowledge. I would like to open my own shop for repairs to start out with and then go to tuning, dyno, paint, and wash cars. So pretty much a one stop shop. Although I would have a specialist for each field so it is top notch quality. Then branch out. What do you guys think? No shops in philly except Philly Dyno Works that I know of.
So go to my local community college, take courses, then find a job to gain experience?
Thanks guys!
#30
01-28-2009, 11:11 PM
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UTI means you have the option of working for a high class manufacturer at a decent starting wage and with real possibilities.
Trying to coming from "the street" I've seen many people start at the bottom and stay there because they don't have the training or knowledge of someone from UTI.
Depending on your drive, as with all professions, it can be worth it. I speak from experience as an Audi tech.
Trying to coming from "the street" I've seen many people start at the bottom and stay there because they don't have the training or knowledge of someone from UTI.
Depending on your drive, as with all professions, it can be worth it. I speak from experience as an Audi tech.