Blackknight

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys,

I'd like to start a career in the automotive technology field and I am looking for some good pointers.

I will be moving to the US to do so, so one of my biggest questions is what kind of degree should I best go for? I see all diffrent kinds from Associates Degrees & Batchelor Degrees to just ASE Certified.

Are there any mechanics in here that could help me out with this? Which is better which not, any schools you could promt me to. I am looking to go to the east coast.

Thanks a lot for the help, and hope this is the right place to post.
Cedric

izcain

There are a ton of schools that offer 2 year degrees and most are pretty good schools As far as getting your foot into the door, at least in my town, it's pretty much start from the bottom and work your way up. I worked as a detail person at a Chevrolet garage while going to college (Automotive Degree) then a couple of weeks into the job one of the Dealerships light duty techs quit and they decided to put me in his spot so that was my break and eventually I was a full line tech there. After graduating college (Automotive Degree) and passing most all the ASE's I went to work for several other places. I can tell you that ASE's in most places are the differences between the low pay and the good pay around here. Basically it is the same as every other job, the more qualifed you are the better off you will be in your field.

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

Cedric-
A degree isn't necessary if you just want to be a dealership service technician. If you wanted to do more of the automotive design and/or engineering, you probably won't get anywhere without a degree. I went to Universal Technical Institute for their Automotive and Diesel Technology program. While I was there, I took a job at a Sears Auto Center doing tires, batteries, some suspension and other maintenance (oil changes, coolant flushes, belt replacement, etc.) just so I could have some kind of experience on my resume. While in UTI, I interviewed for the Volvo SAFE factory training program and was accepted. I took and passed four ASE tests while still in school, three more while only at Sears and my final one when I was at the dealership. I am now two months away from being a Volvo Master Technician (just need to get to my two year mark) and I enjoy my job. If you research UTI some, you'll find they offer graduate programs for other companies too, including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, VW and others. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or IM me at InTheIROC on AIM. Good luck.

84FirebirdChick

im this close from getting a job at pepboys as an installer in the shop. im starting at $9/hr, and getting decent hours. im on my 4th week of class in collision repair at my tech school...

the only thing stopping me from getting the job for sure, is im not quite 18 yet...but the manager said he may be able to make an exception since im in a tech school.

but im not certified in anything yet, currently working on getting my sp2 certification. and i start at autmotive training center on july 19th.

but pepboys is considering me, with no certifications. they do train you, and safety is key. the manager told me that in april, all the people in the shop go through review, and we'll see where im at then...and i could potentially get a raise...and this is starting with no prior experiance or training.

works for me.

FIRECHICKEN

iTrader: (3)

Pensylvania has a good school for mechanics. Wyoming techinical institute (WYOTECH). It is very career specific. Engine building, body/frame repair, diesel mechanics, hot rod, etc....

lincoln Tech would be my next choice.

ASE master mechanics are highest paid general mechanics.
Get you ASE certifications!!!!!!!!

WyoTech: Blairsville Campus | About Us

Blackknight

iTrader: (1)

So where you at wyotech? What is the main advantage of going to a private school instead of like a normal college to learn this? I mean it does cost quite a lot of money those schools.

I really want to get a certified degree that is worth something. I am actually certified in IT over here in Switzerland but it doesn't help out in any other country and I'm totally not happy with it.

Thanks in advance.
Cedric

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

I've heard nothing but negative things about Lincoln Tech. I worked with three guys who graduated from there while I was at Sears and they were not happy with it at all. They said the tools they had were scarce and the cars they got to work on were terrible.

And ASE's don't always mean anything. Mercedes doesn't even recognize them and until Ford bought Volvo, neither did Volvo. I don't know about other lines. ASE tests are garbage, but they do look good on a resume. That's all they are good for.

Blackknight

iTrader: (1)

So basicly either you have to pay around 30k and just work on the subjects that are really on topic or you pay half, take longer, and have off topic subjects to conquere also. Does that sound about right?

So basicly the ASEs are good to have but not required.

What is the difference or the advantage if you gat an AS in this field? I see some schools offer that also.

Thanks.
Cedric

izcain

It all depends on where you want to be (what kind of work) like MettaliCamaroRS said some places don't recognize them, other small shops and some hot rodders require them to even get your foot in the door. All in all ASE's will help you way more then not help you so you definitly want to study and take the tests as well as choosing the proper schooling. Until you have 2 years of experience (or 2 yers of college and 1 year of field experience) you will not be awarded the ASE certs anyways.... they allow you to take the tests and pass them though and at the end of your 2 years they award them to you.

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

izcain is right, having the ASEs will not hurt you. If a shop doesn't require them and two people apply for a tech job, one of which is ASE Master Certified and the other has no ASEs and everything else is equal, it gives the guy with the ASEs the edge.

As far as getting an Associate's Degree in the field, I have seen no advantage. But I am at a dealership that hires strictly out of the Volvo SAFE training program, which I got into through UTI. Other dealerships hire from other sources. But Volvo doesn't require a degree at all. They just want their techs to know their stuff. If I would have started at a different dealership as a car porter or something and wanted to be a tech, the dealership would have to send me through the SAFE training program. Then as a tech, they have different levels based on ASEs, experience and online Volvo courses (every year we have online tests we have to pass to maintain our rating).

roeville

If you have the means to get a two year degree do it now. It will become tougher to do later. Life will get more complicated - believe me. I have an Associates in Automotive technology & mechanics and it has definately opened some doors for me. You may not always be in this field and it shows initiative beyond normal schooling when applying for any job.

Blackknight

iTrader: (1)

I know what you mean, I did my schooling here in Switzerland, 4 years for my IT stuff. But after a while I just realized that this isn't for me so I'll definitely be doing something about it as soon as possible.

I'll just try to get my foot in the door in some way. Can't really afford to go to UTI or wyotech which I would really prefere though.

izcain

When I worked for both Chevrolet and Subaru they wanted their techs to have ASE's and they pushed for it as much as possible..... The dealership wouldn't even hire someone is they didn't have at least a couple of them. Only reason I got in was because I was signed up for ASE's and was going to the college with good recommendations from the instructors saying I was the head of the class and I was ready to do live work. Just like every other job the more schooling and certs you have the more your worth to a company. You will be paid accordingly.

B Rhodes

If it helps some of the comm colleges have auto mech programs that also offer the GM training and the ford asset program, might be a place to start.

fullsize fun

i work for a service place ,and i can tell you ASE doesn't mean jack ,i know guys who have tons that don't realize the frigging ebrake is stoping the rear drums from being removed ,so they get a bigger hammer , and result is screwing **** up , ther eis tons of guys in the business that how no common sence , you have to have aptitude book smarts will only get you so far.

By the way i make $22hr flat rate , and biggest thing is ther ehas to be customers coming in the door for you to make money.

izcain

Maybe next time you should run spell check before trying to bash everyone who DOES have the training and the certs. You have to have more then just book smarts to pass an ASE Exam. Maybe this is why you dont take them? All I was saying is that they stay with you where ever you go and are worth money in most shops, Yes I know that there are some real bozos in the Industry but that goes with any job.I have seen plenty of people roll thru that don't know what their doing.... for the most part if they have some ASE's I have seen that they generally do know some things and are pretty good tech's it all depends on how much they apply themselves and their knowledge.
By the way 22$ an hour flat rate isn't all that well. Thats an average flat rate pay where im from.

Blackknight

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the info guys,

I decided I'll try my luck at UTI. Since I already have had a 4 year apprentanship with lots of off-topic subjects I feel I don't need any more of that.

As for the Certificats, I can only agree that you only get them if you know your stuff and that they can't be bad otherwhise not so many people would take the time and the money to obtain them.

I'll be going to UTI in Glendale Heights incase anyone has some more pointers for me.

84FirebirdChick

my friend, you will be extremely disapointed...ive heard many many bad things...you'd be better off at ATC in warminster (new campus, brand new shops, great teachers, top of the line equipment, etc) the high performance shop alone contains over 1,000,000$ of equipment...or try ohio technical college...they have many courses...can even get your associates there. but please...reconsider UTI...i heard its such a joke...

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

You can pass the ASE's on just book smarts... I did.

I took my first 4 (Brakes, Climate Control, Electronics and Suspension) when I was still in school. I took Manual Trans and the two engine ones while only working at Sears Auto Center for 3 months, where we do nothing having to do with transmissions or internal engine work. Then I took Auto Trans after working at the dealership for 4 months, where we don't do internal transmission work (We occasionally replace valve bodies or shift solenoids, but we don't rebuild transmissions).

And I went to that "crappy" UTI place. Imagine that.

Good luck with your decision

izcain

Im sure that you had worked on cars before that and had at least an idea of some of the things about them. Im not saying you have to know how to perform all the repairs to pass the ASE's but you have to be car saavy not just book smart. I have yet to see someone who only looked at the books, studied, but never acually worked on cars pass the exams. Oh well, The way I see it is any training or certs. that you can put under your belt just means better for yourself later on down the road.

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

You are right, you can't go STRICTLY on books. But, at the time I took the tests, I had VERY LITTLE experience. All I had was what I learned in the three week class on the subject. Sure, there is some hands on there, but not the same as in the field hands on. And when I took the tests, they were not easy. I had to think a lot to try and remember the parts and concepts. I'm sure when I recert, they will be MUCH easier, as I now have a good amount of in the field experience. Either way, I agree totally that they aren't going to hurt. The more training and certifications you can show, the better. If two people apply for a job and they are totally equal on everything else, but one is ASE Master Certified, I'm putting my money on the certified person to get the job. No employer is going to look at a resume and say "So I see you have your ASE tests complete. That's a shame..."

Untamed

What hasn't been mentioned yet are long term career goals. Do you plan to remain a technician the rest of your life? Any aspirations to, perhaps, move into management?

As you contemplate schools, try to imagine where you want to end up in 20 years. Those of us who have desk jobs, daydream about being hands-on techs at a dealership or specialty shop somewhere. Getting your hands dirty on a daily basis may be very satisfying - but there are limits you can hit by remaining a hands-on technician.

If you would like to make a good salary, not just an hourly wage, you will want to find out what it takes to move from technician to shop management. I'm certain one way to distinguish yourself from everyone else who worked as a tech, is to have a 4 year university degree. You may take all kinds of off-topic courses, however that degree, on your resume, makes you stand out from everyone else. The drawback is the less intensive training on the very things you want to work on as your career. The tech schools offer training AND career councelling / dedicated course cirriculum that is on-point with auto companies that hire directly from those tech schools.

My suggestion, is to go to the tech school to get into your career choice - but think about taking on night school or some other 4 year university degre program while working. After a few years at an auto dealership, with a university degree on your resume, you can begin positioning yourself for management.

Oh, and if you aren't already married - don't do it until you are secure in your job and career goals. Take it from those of us who are experienced.

Blackknight

iTrader: (1)

For right now I'm looking for more of a hands on job. Since I have a desk job at the moment and it just doesn't fit me.

Since I already have learned a job, I want to do the switch as fast as possible that's why I'm looking into an all tech job at the moment. I'll defenitly be doing further studies once I'm done, I have the knowlege as a Certified Applications Developer and combining it with automotive skills will definitly help me out in many ways. Since cars are more computers on wheels these days

Nope I'm not married yet, not planning to do so in the near futur either, I guess that is the Swiss part in me, here you don't get married untill your in your late 20s or early 30s.