hey i know this isn't really a tech question but i don't know really where else to go. i'm 19 and in college and i don't really like it. but i want to work for an aftermarket company such as, hotchkiss, edelbrock, lingelfelter, ect. it would also be cool to work at an engine shop or at a custom shop and build hotrods. does anyone here have a job like that? if so what education do i need? where do i go to get it? hope someone can help me.

 

study physics, eltronics, cad-cam, cnc programing, cadd, plus the basic normal engine related stuff

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

Super Z,

If you don't really like school, wait until you get a job that you don't enjoy. Classes can be a lot of work and frustration, but a job that is not rewarding is far worse.

Get a solid engineering background, which will include much of what Ed has suggested, and don't be afraid to get a little chemistry background. I hated my accounting courses when I first started college, and the electrical engineering path has been more enjoyable to me. But even though I knew I didn't want to continue in accounting, I have used what I learned there many times.

The point is, even though you might not like your classes, you'll probably eventually use a lot of what you think you're not learning now. Since you have a real interest in the automotive engineering field, you might want to check out that career path with your student resource staff. The counselors should be able to help determine the correct course of study - that's what they are getting paid to do for you.

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Later,
Vader
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"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
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I agree with Vader. I worked in a factory last summer to get some extra cash before college. That became my motavation. College may suck but not nearly as bad as being stuck in a dead end sh*tty job you hate. I would rather work for 45K a year and enjoy my job than make 74K and hate every day of work. I think if they would put more kids in a factory before they drop out of school or decide not to go to college the would change their mind. I figured this out at the age of 19 but most people don't. I'm not saying that you can't get a good job without a degree but it is HARD. Then again Mcdonalds is always hiring. LOL. Just stick it out. It will be worth it.

 

Not all factory jobs suck (just mine)

no but really, go into the restraunt business!!! it's alot of fun really!?!?!

 

superz,

I would say you need to expand your vision some. Working for Hotchkiss, Edelbrock etc. may be interesting for awhile, but where is going to take you in a few years? If you want to move up in any company, you will compete both on the inside and from the outside with people who have their college degrees. A degree opens alot of doors that are difficult, if not impossible to get through without. It's best to get it early and when you have the opportunity which for you, seems like now. While it is hard work, you will find a tremendous amount of satisfaction in taking on a tough subject and mastering it.

Since your in school now, I would at a minimum get your basic studies done, and if you decide you've had enough school by then, get an AA (AS?) degree then work for awhile. Since your current interest is in a technical field, take more math, physics, and chemistry than english and history. Keeping your (expanded) vision in mind, learning everything you can about the business you're in, see how far you can go. If you're happy with the work, great. If not you can go back to school. Good luck.

 

thanks for all the replies guys i really appreciate your help. let me explain myself a little better. i'm not thinking of dropping out of college all together, just changing some stuff. trust me, i worked a factory job i hated (and i'll probably get to do it again this summer). i am currently enrolled in a 4year mechanical engineering degree. it just seems no matter how hard i try, i get bad grades. i studied for a 2 hours per day for 4 days before my last math test. i felt pretty good about it, but i ended getting a 60% and am in danger of failing the class. this will be the second math course i have failed. i'm thinking of moving to a community college near my home and getting a 2 year degree in mechnaical engineering there. what do you guys think of that?? again, thanks for all your help guys, i really appreciate this.

 

I just want to throw in that even though i don't know where you are going now, going to a community college is gonna be worse for you. Don't seek an engineering degree from some local school if you can avoid it at all costs, when you actually go to get a job if they've never heard of your school they will have no faith in the value of your degree, making it that much harder for you to prove yourself capable for that job. Don't get me wrong, any degree is better than no degree.
Other than that, try getting internships/co-ops doing the kind of stuff you want to do. Even if it isn't designing chassis parts for cars, any kind of indistrial experience with fabrocation/problem solving is gonna help you get a foot in later in life.
...ed

 

superz,

If you're giving it 100% and still not making the grade, then you're right, something has to change. If you continue on your current course you may be declared academically ineligible, which obviously you want to avoid. I disagree with Ed about Community College, because IMO, whether the case or not, most people think one CC is as good as the next. The subjects they teach are fundamental, they don't have big research budgets like four year and higher schools and so there is not as much at stake with regard to reputation.

You could go to a CC and take (or re-take if you have to) math and other courses that are pre-requisites to the ones that are giving you trouble now. At the same time, continue to study and work problems on your own from those classes. Check with an academic counselor at your current school and make sure they will honor your AA (AS) degree from the CC as having fulfilled your undergraduate liberal arts requirements. You will have done everything you can to prepare yourself for another shot at the tough classes, then you can re-enroll at the four year school as a Junior.

 

I will be returning to college this fall after being out of school for 10 years. I am glad I learned the life experiences I did and wouldnt change a thing. I work in a warehouse its scraping the bottom of the barrel and I am treated like a piece of dirt by managment but it will help me get to where I want to be. My best advice is study all aspects of the field your interested in picking one job for a career is hard and doing the same job gets boring after awhile. The most importat thing is do what your heart tells you thats your best bet.

 

speaking as a recent graduate from penn college of technology, i would say get all the schooling you can and take FULL advantage of every class you take, even if it is the most pointless class it has a purpose.

i learned early what i didn't want to do for a living and that was working at a fast food place and working on other peoples cars. i opted for automotive engineering but didn't get what i wanted out of it from PCT.
i plan on goin back to school, as much as i hate to, to further my education cause i know it will pay off in the long run.

good luck

 

I too am a big believer in education (i am a Doctor). I suggest getting the best degree that you can get in your particular field of interest. Stay open minded. Often times those "glamorous" sounding jobs (ie edelbrock etc ) are not so wonderful after a while. I have a good friend who works up the street at Callaway Engineering (yes, the corvette people) and he hates it but is staying to pay for college. I worked at a car restoration shop all through college...planned on making a career of it...now i fix people instead! If you truely love spending your free time working with camaros or whatever, dont make a career of it, it will spoil the hobby for you. Stay focused in school, some of the classes require a serious time commitment. I was a pathobiology major...busted my a$$ while my english major roomates drank a lot of beer and smoked a lot of pot. School doesnt teach you, it offers you the opportunity to learn. Just like anything else, if you push yourself to learn, you will become a better, more efficient learner and that is what education is about. Be honest with yourself. if you are truly giving school the absolute best effort you can and are not getting at least B/C grades you need to choose another major. I love my career, but i love working in my shop too and I am very glad that they arent one and the same.

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1984 Z28 (L69) monochrome tangerine orange with IROC decals and hood
1987 IROC wheels with Goodyear GSC's
305 from 87 IROC with 1994 LT1 cam (203/208 .450/.460")
performer intake with holley 600 (#1850)
Qjet is in the works
dynomax cat-back
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3.27 nine-bolt

 

A good education is helpful but remember its not what you know its who you know.

 

Ah yes, the bad math classes. Can you transfer classes from a community college? If so, I took classes such as math, english and such at a community college in the off semesters. The classes are generally easier and are less stress rather than trying to complete them with alot of other classes.

 

O.K. - I'm guilty. This isn't directly Technical, but is probably more important than any car problems Super Z might encounter.

My wife teaches (actually, nearly my entire family teaches at some level from grade school to doctors at universities), and has an understanding of how students' grades can be a poor reflection on their abilities. One of her favorite stories on the topic is of a student that was one of the worst students in recorded history. He was constantly bored, disinterested, and got failing grades. His teachers from grade school through high school were constantly on the verge of retaining or failing him. Many of his teachers even though he was retarded and should be placed in a special school for developmentally disabled children. He was forgetful, disorganized, and had very poor study habits. He seldom participated in classes, was always late with assignments, and did just enough to get by, but barely. Without the pleading of his parents he would have never even been accepted to enroll in college. The kid's name was Albert Einstein.

That was a long way to go to make a pretty minor point, but the essence is that you may only need to find an interest, or understand how the "uninteresting" topics are related to the goals you have. If you realize that about 100% of a car's handling is founded in geometry and trigonometry, you can view the boring numbers in a different light. Understanding that algebra is the easiest way to solve some of the more complex equations that you will construct in an effort to profile a cam or devise a fuel or spark curve may add some interest. Even the physics of structure and driveline components, connecting rod lengths, piston pin locations are heavily dependent upon mathematics. Weight distribution, spring rates, volumetric efficiencies, intake and exhaust flow, (I could go on endlessly) all get reduced to mathematical equations.

There's nothing wrong with passing a college math course at a 70% grade. If you have a good understanding of the theories, the practice can come later. Einstein didn't really understand nuclear physics until well after he left college, and basically invented the science. There's nothing keeping you from doing something similar if you can just force yourself to get through all of the current "excitement" of college math courses. It's been said that necessity is the "mother of invention". If that's true, then desire is the "father of invention" - and we all know that Daddy schwings the bigger club. If you want it, you'll find a way.

Incidentally, just my opinion, but doing well at a local college is better than failing at MIT. Credits will transfer. If you're not sure of your course of study, your idea of completing at a local school isn't necessarily a bad one, and there can be some benefits. The internship / co-op idea is one that comes to mind. Get through this semester and evaluate your situation if you need to.

O.K. - I'm putting my stump away, for now.

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Later,
Vader
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"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
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Here's one more perspective. First I think you should be commended for realizing your having trouble. STAY THE COURSE. Get som e friends who are better in Math to help, ask your counselors for help. It's hard for any teacher to fail someone who wants help, is willing to work hard and is not ashamed to admit he's having trouble.
Last remember this, on graduation day the kids with the D walks across the same stage as the kid with the A. and the diploma is identical.

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"It's not about going fast all the time; It's knowing you can, anytime"

 

hey guys thanks for all the advice. i really do appreciate this. i am in the process of getting help with my math class. i realized a long time ago that the bottom line is this. . . i would rather go through 4 years of hell to get a degree i want, than go through 40 years of hell because i cut myself short and was to lazy to really bust my *** and work for it.

it is just very disheartening when i work hard and turn right around and fail. i am very good with using tools and have alot of experience working on the job. i have held down a full time job(40-50hrs/week) in the summer with my families business from the 5th grade to last summer. over my christmas break this winter i worked for 3 weeks as a temp at a steel stamping factory. i ran a robotic welder, i hated it. but i worked hard, produced more parts, and was respectfull to my bosses. when i left they asked me if i was coming back this summer because they said i was a great worker and they want me back. hopefully i can use my experince here at school to get a better job there.

 

Hey guys, bring this post back up i had a few questions as well. Im currently 19 years old and enrolled at a local University studing in accounting. I really am disstisfied with it and would like to change into an automotive field. I was wondering if u guys think a school like lincoln tech is a good choice. I am very good book smart wise and catch on really fast. I find working on cars to be an enjoyement but dont want to be the average joe hanging exhaust or pulling plugs on a 82 caprice my whole life. Anyone think this is a good choice for schooling?Or have a diff. opinion on what to do.

 

nashville auto college is well respected as are some others. guess in part it will depend on where you live and what you can aford for school. if i were you i'd get some class time in eletronics, physics, and chemistry before jumping into the auto repair classes. there is a lot of car related things you can learn that you wouldn't think is car related.

 

NADC is a great school, as is UTI, LT, and Wyotech. two of my best friends went there or are still there. My friend that is a grad is the one primarily helping me get my car built. He fixes Diesels for a living... good money, great benefits, and it doesn't burn him out working on his 69 camaro or my 82 Trans Am. if you need any info, I'd be happy to find out more for you from him. keep on truckin, man. I'm in CC and I don't really like the classes I'm in, but it will get me where i need to be. I'm just fighting for a B average so i can get a scholarship so i won't have to pay out of pocket, and loans are tough.