So a guy from WyoTech is coming over in an hour...

[ADaughen]

what should I ask him?

He's interviewing me to see if I "fit" in their classroom.

[Damn True]

Average post-grad income.

Percentage of graduates who are still employed in their field 5 and 10 years after graduation.

[Rick Dorion]

References to verify.

[rob07002]

What is their job placement support like?

Continuing ed options?

[bavtech]

It matters what you want to do....

It is very expensive to go to Wyotech. It will run you around $28000 for all the classes you want.

Just remember that it will be extremely hard to get a job in the auto field after graduation. Right now there is a flood of highly experienced dealer and shop techs out there that have been let go by the so many dealers going out of business. No matter what the Wyotech rep tells you there just is not easy getting a job a with only your wyotech experience. Most auto repair shops do not take your experience there as anything to rely upon.

I am in the auto recycling business and I get grads from these tech schools all the time. Most have been out there looking for work for a year and half.

If I was you I would find someone that is going to the school or graduated and talk to them. Don't listen to the salesman tactics of the Wyotech rep.

[PT Sportwagon]

Well speaking from a Wyotech graduate. I am currently working at Wally world. Wyotech was a good school. Most graduates are not working in the career they trained in. Depending on what you find after school. In the auto classes I have heard that you are qualified as a lube tech at most dealerships. Wyotech will give you a education that is entry level.

Tim

[ADaughen]

I have 5+ speed shops in the area that are/have been looking for experienced individuals since January. I've been working on all sorts cars as a shade tree mechanic for ~16 years, but I need the piece of paper or a shop to take a chance. :(

I would be leaving the IT field making decent money, for someone without a degree. However, there is no room for advancement and I'm risking another pay cut and/or lay off currently.

If I take another pay cut, I will probably be making what an entry mechanic would be making. Working on cars has always been a stress relief for me.

I was a little off on the time he was arriving. Should be here in a few. :)

Thanks for the tips. I'll bring them up.

Adam

[Damn True]

Careful with turning a hobby into a profession. It can take the fun out of it.

I was a serious cyclist/racer (NORBA DH) for years before I went to work for Specialized. When it became work it became work.

[68nate]

Careful with turning a hobby into a profession. It can take the fun out of it.

I was a serious cyclist/racer (NORBA DH) for years before I went to work for Specialized. When it became work it became work.

I agree 100%. Working on other peoples cars every day can be very stressful. It is great field to go into if you enjoy a challenge and the satisfaction from solving tough problems. I've been a Master Tech since I was 20. I would strongly recommend you look around for a program that is set up as an Apprenticeship. I went through the GM ASEP program where you have to get a dealership to sponsor you to even start the program. You then go to school for a few months-work in the dealership for a few months-back to school through the 2 year program. Graduate with an AAS degree in Automotive Service Technology. The REAL WORLD experience you get in the dealership is worth 10 times what you learn in the classroom. Also gives you a chance to prove that you are a valuable employee, and most likely will be offered a full time job with your sponsoring dealer after your schooling.
Not sure if this program is still going or not.

Don't choose a program because of the name. There are cheaper programs that are more geared to prepare you to enter the workforce after graduation.

[6'9"Witha69]

I agree 100%. Working on other peoples cars every day can be very stressful. It is great field to go into if you enjoy a challenge and the satisfaction from solving tough problems. I've been a Master Tech since I was 20. I would strongly recommend you look around for a program that is set up as an Apprenticeship. I went through the GM ASEP program where you have to get a dealership to sponsor you to even start the program. You then go to school for a few months-work in the dealership for a few months-back to school through the 2 year program. Graduate with an AAS degree in Automotive Service Technology. The experience you get in the dealership is worth 10 times what you learn in the classroom. Also gives you a chance to prove that you are a valuable employee, and most likely will be offered a full time job with your sponsoring dealer after your schooling.
Not sure if this program is still going or not.
Lots of trades work this way, Electricians, Plumbers, etc. From what I have seen, those who go in this way have the best chance of making it and getting the best out of their class time.

One area of specialty to consider is deisel tech. I have a couple buddies who did extended classes for Diesel and are Master techs and make better money for it. They work on rigs and construction equipment and enjoy it. There is a lot more demand (from what I hear) for trained big diesel guys.

[dhutton]

That an interesting tactic on their part. They are making it sound like you need to be selected to attend, making it a goal for you to get approved to attend.

[ADaughen]

That an interesting tactic on their part. They are making it sound like you need to be selected to attend, making it a goal for you to get approved to attend.

Agreed, his explanation was, there are a lot of people who want in that just don't have the right fit... you want to work on big diesels and you can't lift a semi brake drum?!?

I listened to what he had to say. Pretty much came down to "you can do anything if you set your mind to it."

Well, if that were so, I'd be doing it already. >_<


I don't know still. It looks like I would be doing Automotive (core), Applied Service Management, and High-performance Powertrains. $25,000 is a lot for 12 months. But I guess it covers tools, books, and uniforms and I come out with an Associates in shop management.

I'd probably have to find a part time job near the campus so I could feed myself and the car and I could be home on the weekends.

Wages vary depending on what I ended up doing. Big rig diesel mechanics make more, but don't really interest me and the speed shops I'd be going for don't currently service diesels. Cycles would be kinda cool and there are a few decent shops around here, but I don't ride bikes (out of respect for my mother's wishes). So I don't know how much good that would do me.

They do offer job assistance, however he can not guarantee finding a job for my crap hole of a location. Not a big surprise. Dad and a few thousand GM workers have been looking since last year.



Like I said, I don't know. :idea: I may just have to complete the "resume" in the garage and put a few laps on it to let the shops know what I can do with a few spare parts. It would be cheaper by ~$22,000.

[BA.]

You could spend much less to be PMP and ITIL certified and find 'new' jobs as a Technical Project Manager in IT. Still making good $$$ and jobs are there.

[ADaughen]

You could spend much less to be PMP and ITIL certified and find 'new' jobs as a Technical Project Manager in IT. Still making good $$$ and jobs are there.


I don't think I want IT anymore. There is no enjoyment "fixing" broken software repeatedly. I was capped until they gave us a pay cut. :bsjerk: Boss has pretty much said if I get a degree I need to find another employer since they won't pay me more.

Only two ways up are Project Management (meh, why would anyone want to get yelled at by customer corporate hacks?), besides, they are not paying the guys more that moved up from the current position to it. It was either go up or look for a new job. Or Software Development (what's error handling? negative testing? the code is garbage and it would take me MONTHS to understand). And guess what, the guy who was pushed into the job... he isn't get paid more either. :bsjerk:


If I'm going to take a pay cut, I might as well work "normal" hours and enjoy my job.


I've done eight years of telecommunications/customer service. Five years of technical support (hardware/software) and one year in a garage. I had the most enjoyment out of the garage. That is also where I sweated my butt of the most with 14 hour days.

[Damn True]

Free advice, so it's worth what you paid for it.

Think in terms of what is growing and what is shrinking. The need for good IT people is growing, not shrinking. The need for healthcare technology companies is growing, not shrinking. The economy in Ohio is shrinking, not growing.

If it were me, I'd build on what you have and direct my job search toward pharmaceutical or oncology centric companies and get out of Ohio.

[Vegas69]

I also went through the ASEP program like Nate at about the same age. Working on cars at the dealership pretty much sucks. It's a fair living but nothing I care to ever go back to. It's not that much fun to race the clock on these new over engineered cars.

[68nate]

I also went through the ASEP program like Nate at about the same age. Working on cars at the dealership pretty much sucks. It's a fair living but nothing I care to ever go back to. It's not that much fun to race the clock on these new over engineered cars.

Amen to that! Working at a dealership sucks no doubt, I left four years after graduation and went out on my own. Although it sucked, I would do it again. The knowledge gained and the dues paid were well worth putting up with all the BS at a dealership.

[Vegas69]

I went to Dmacc in 1996-1997. When were you there Nate?

[cypher]

i can second this one.. i used to be a mechanic and hated it.. so while i was working i went to school to work in the IT field because i loved playing on computers. Now i work on computers all day and hate them, but would love to go home and work on my car.
Careful with turning a hobby into a profession. It can take the fun out of it.

I was a serious cyclist/racer (NORBA DH) for years before I went to work for Specialized. When it became work it became work.

[68nate]

Dmacc, Ankeny graduated in 1996

[TonyHuntimer]

Keep in mind that there are a lot of dealerships closed and still closing right now. The market is flooded with "tech's" right now and probably will be for a few years. Most of these tech's are now working at smaller shops.

I'll give the same advice as True...be careful making your hobby into a profession. It works for some, but not everyone. :)

If I had advice for me as a an 18 year old, I'd tell myself to figure out how to go to college, live on campus, get good grades, and have fun. Do something other than get out of high school and start working at a physically demanding dead end job. More words of wisdom would be to realize that you won't really have an idea of your ideal career until you're about 26 and don't be surprised if that changes again when you're 30 or 35. As you get wiser, you'll change your mind on things. OH, and what ever you do, don't have kids or get married until you and your woman are at least 25.

Good luck on your path.

[ADaughen]

Keep in mind that there are a lot of dealerships closed and still closing right now. The market is flooded with "tech's" right now and probably will be for a few years. Most of these tech's are now working at smaller shops.

I'll give the same advice as True...be careful making your hobby into a profession. It works for some, but not everyone. :)

If I had advice for me as a an 18 year old, I'd tell myself to figure out how to go to college, live on campus, get good grades, and have fun. Do something other than get out of high school and start working at a physically demanding dead end job. More words of wisdom would be to realize that you won't really have an idea of your ideal career until you're about 26 and don't be surprised if that changes again when you're 30 or 35. As you get wiser, you'll change your mind on things. OH, and what ever you do, don't have kids or get married until you and your woman are at least 25.

Good luck on your path.


Wise words from experience. :1st:


The flood of techs is a valid concern. Of course, if they're like the ones that incorrectly diagnosed the engine issue in my Mazda (tech held the phone up to the car while a Mazda engineer said it sounded like a busted rod)... I won't have too much of a problem. ;) - Engine code said intake cam timing issue. It SOUNDED like intake valve noise, but the shop wanted to change engines. If I had the time/tools I would have fixed it myself for ~$500.

I'm 28. Married, no kids, with 100+ credit hours of college, but on my current class progression, due to work; it will be another 3 years before I complete my degree. (I could quit my job and get it done in ~4 quarters.

I blew a full ride scholarship by thinking I could HS my way through a Physics/Mathematics dual major. *facepalm* I'm currently doing Computer Science, but nobody around here wants to pay for it. My wife makes the big bucks so I go where she goes. :D

[MarkM66]

I'd ask;

How many Wyo Tech grads have built, or been apart of a build on either a "Street Machine of the Year", or "Street Rod of the Year" winner or finalist?

[ADaughen]

I'd ask;

How many Wyo Tech grads have built, or been apart of a build on either a "Street Machine of the Year", or "Street Rod of the Year" winner or finalist?


I doubt he would have known that. As bavtech presumed, he was pretty much a salesman.



I am leaning more towards finishing up the '78 and use that as an automotive resume.

[andrewb70]

Free advice, so it's worth what you paid for it.

Think in terms of what is growing and what is shrinking. The need for good IT people is growing, not shrinking. The need for healthcare technology companies is growing, not shrinking. The economy in Ohio is shrinking, not growing.

If it were me, I'd build on what you have and direct my job search toward pharmaceutical or oncology centric companies and get out of Ohio.

I agree with True. Gather up all of those college credits that you have and work towards the quickest Bachelors degree you can find. In this job market, that is key. To me it seems like a total waste of time and money to be going to WyoTech. Just my opinion.

Andrew

[Pro Stock]

what should I ask him?

He's interviewing me to see if I "fit" in their classroom.


You are paying for the classes, you should be interviewing him, I'll bet that they will be willing to make your money "FIT"

Dale

[smhigh]

Trade schools are out for your $$$$$$$$$$$ first and foremost!
They will get you student loans to pay their high fees and good luck finding a job.
If it's the auto trade you want to get into, go to a JR College for Auto Courses and take academic ones too so you can graduate with an AA.
This gives you the option to go to a 4 year college for a BA, if you want to later on.
As a high school auto instructor I encourage my students to go to JC's.
I have stopped allowing trade school SALESMEN in my classroom.

[ADaughen]

I agree with True. Gather up all of those college credits that you have and work towards the quickest Bachelors degree you can find.

Andrew


I've thought about that too. Dad did something similar and got a BA in Business Management from Bluffton.

Everyone is saying stick with IT, but I don't want to sit in an office for another 35-40 years. At the rate I am going, I'll be 500lbs, and have 20 heart attacks by the time I am able to retire.

IT is a job I am good at. It is not a passion of mine. I don't know how anyone could be passionate about some circuits or a piece of code they didn't write. I come home from work and I don't even turn on my home system. I used to run and maintain 2-3 servers at home because it was fun and challenging.



The more I think about it though, WyoTech won't teach me much more than what I learned working in a garage/body shop in '99.

Automotive Core - 16 years of wrenching on anything from Fords to Toyotas, Hondas to Volvos, Mazdas to Saturns. I am already pretty good at diagnosing engine noises. There wasn't anything in the course description that I haven't done.

ASM - I've already done the business courses (accounting, finance, stats, and management) in college for a BA in MIS.

High Performance Powertrain - that is what I could use some more knowledge in. I've messed around with some turbos, but I'm not sure what they would teach. "This is a turbo, this is a supercharger..."

Shame they don't have a CLEPs or credit transfer program. :lmao:


I don't know still. I'm going to go talk to my dad and sleep on it another night.

Thanks for putting up with my "drama".

[ADaughen]

Trade schools are out for your $$$$$$$$$$$ first and foremost!
They will get you student loans to pay their high fees and good luck finding a job.
If it's the auto trade you want to get into, go to a JR College for Auto Courses and take academic ones too so you can graduate with an AA.
This gives you the option to go to a 4 year college for a BA, if you want to later on.
As a high school auto instructor I encourage my students to go to JC's.
I have stopped allowing trade school SALESMEN in my classroom.


We have a local JVS which I know teaches welding, auto, trans, and body courses, but it is just for certificates, no AA. I've thought about going to them for a refresher on welding before I start trying it in my garage (wife is worried I will burn down the house). :lmao:

[Damn True]

I've thought about that too. Dad did something similar and got a BA in Business Management from Bluffton.

Everyone is saying stick with IT, but I don't want to sit in an office for another 35-40 years. At the rate I am going, I'll be 500lbs, and have 20 heart attacks by the time I am able to retire.

IT is a job I am good at. It is not a passion of mine. I don't know how anyone could be passionate about some circuits or a piece of code they didn't write. I come home from work and I don't even turn on my home system. I used to run and maintain 2-3 servers at home because it was fun and challenging.

Maybe it's the workplace and not the work? Ive been doing essentially the same job for the last 9 years, but with 4 different companies.

Novellus Systems - Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment
Specialized Bicycles - Sports Equip.
SMC - Pneumatics
Rackable Systems/SGI - Servers and Storage devices.

Out of all of them, I enjoyed Specialized the least. The material I was working with/on was interesting, and hell, I got paid to ride every day and they paid me when I was out of town at races. But, I hated the place and it killed my love for cycling for about 3yrs.

I really enjoy my current gig. No, servers don't thrill me, but the people I work with are fantastic, the commute rocks and the pay allows me to have a nice home in a great place and afford to screw with my car.

Doing what you love is a neat thing to think about, but in my experience it rarely works out well. IMO it's better to do what you are good at and can get paid handsomely for so you can enjoy the things you love on your off hours. Those things are more valuable when they are a reward for work, instead of more work.

[Bow Tie 67]

Maybe it's the workplace and not the work? Ive been doing essentially the same job for the last 9 years, but with 4 different companies.


Doing what you love is a neat thing to think about, but in my experience it rarely works out well. IMO it's better to do what you are good at and can get paid handsomely for so you can enjoy the things you love on your off hours. Those things are more valuable when they are a reward for work, instead of more work.

Very well said True. My take is the only way you can work at what you love is when you love to work. I dont love going to work but like most of us I have bills and have to set that damn alarm.

[BritishGreen68]

a friend of mine just graduated from wyotech, he worked at a shop for about 6 months right after and was just layed off a few weeks ago. Now he doesnt know what to do, just like before wyotech, and it was almost 30K!! My feeling is if your going to go to school, go for something clean and easy that will make money, and learn to manage a business so you can start your own. Unless your the lead dog the scenery never changes...

[ADaughen]

Maybe it's the workplace and not the work? Ive been doing essentially the same job for the last 9 years, but with 4 different companies.


Quite possible, but not much of a chance getting into anywhere else right now. I HAD a chance, but with this stupid economy, the guy who was going to be my boss (VP of Engineering) at another company was laid off. >_<



Doing what you love is a neat thing to think about, but in my experience it rarely works out well. IMO it's better to do what you are good at and can get paid handsomely for so you can enjoy the things you love on your off hours. Those things are more valuable when they are a reward for work, instead of more work.

If I were getting paid to do what I am good at, it would be great. My job keeps getting cut. We're to the bone right now, and they're threatening even more cuts. I might as well work at McDonalds for as much as I would be paid after the next round of cuts.

NOBODY is hiring in IT around here. Hence the thought of changing specialties. Only guys that are interested in me are insurance companies and call centers. I want to get further from the phones and desk and I'm not paying for an insurance license just to strong arm my friends into buying my insurance.



I'm going to look into some classes locally rather than WyoTech. I want the classes so I can rebuild my own transmissions that I'm going to end up breaking ;) and brush up on my welding. I'll spend ~$2400 for classes rather than $30,000, which is easier to swallow.

[PT Sportwagon]

Tony is right, with both Chrysler and GM closing dealers and there is the plan idiot dealers who because of the economy didn't pay the banks for trade-ins. It may be hard, but then again with the economy the way it is, people who can afford a new car( even under the cars program) are needing there older cars repaired.

Using your car as a resume can get you a job, It actually worked for me twice. I have always installed my own electronics in my vehicles, and competing in Sound quality competitions. I used my 90 Aerostar as proof I could do the work. got me a job twice.
Tim

[Damn True]

Quite possible, but not much of a chance getting into anywhere else right now. I HAD a chance, but with this stupid economy, the guy who was going to be my boss (VP of Engineering) at another company was laid off. >_<




If I were getting paid to do what I am good at, it would be great. My job keeps getting cut. We're to the bone right now, and they're threatening even more cuts. I might as well work at McDonalds for as much as I would be paid after the next round of cuts.

NOBODY is hiring in IT around here. Hence the thought of changing specialties. Only guys that are interested in me are insurance companies and call centers. I want to get further from the phones and desk and I'm not paying for an insurance license just to strong arm my friends into buying my insurance.



I'm going to look into some classes locally rather than WyoTech. I want the classes so I can rebuild my own transmissions that I'm going to end up breaking ;) and brush up on my welding. I'll spend ~$2400 for classes rather than $30,000, which is easier to swallow.

Move.

[MonzaRacer]

As a 20plus year technician, I also have the master certifications and some dealer certs. I am now in a job working for a chain auto repair/parts company, they are threatening to close down if company doesnt turn profit this year,BUT put idiotic clowns with no management experience for a service shop in management positions.
I have ran shop, mostly while bosses were out sick, or just making the actual decisions during the crying/drooling/curled up in fetal position by actual bosses.
I worked for Bridgestone/Firestone at a Firestone Master care shop, great people and probably the best crew I have ever worked with (yet I do work with many good people right now at different company)they have a training program and a driveability program through lincoln schools group. I took the 2 week Advanced Engine Management Strategies Workshop through Firestone, good refresher and it had some guys who never even got into diag there learning.
My start was my uncle, then an ADTT certificate from the Indianapolis Lincoln Technical Institute (before Lincoln schools)and it was a tech school taught by mechanics.
Big trick with any of the schools is test out of classes you can and only take ones that would give you core information and basic training and exposure to equipment and testing procedures.
you would be surprized how many guys doing diagnostics right now who cant use a DSO(Digtal Storage Oscilloscope or graphing multimeter)I now have 3 of those and all three are hand held and with most will now do what the big box analyzers used to do.
Big issue with getting into auto repair is tools as your going to have $10k to $20k in just basic hand tools, small specialty tools and a big box to keep them in.
I have $6k in 2 little black boxes, and have several higher end expensive tools I have found used, oh and in just a few testing tools, nothing electronic to speak of, 2 tool cars and basic pullers, etc. there is $12k, not including a lot of other stuff or my $6400 tool box which is 11 yrs old and full, yep I need to spend another $2500 to $5000 for top box/hutch/overhead.
It never ends BUT I do love the job and working on cars, and I am very good at it. No if I just had back the good management I had at Firestone or my own place.
Right now diagnostics is an expensive business, but I seem to be good at it.
Another fact is that you can only work out of a Craftsman tool catalog before better professional tools are required and $250 to $500 set of end wrenches and other expensive tools become necessary. Been there and done that and have Craftsman, NAPA, Snapon, MAC, Matco and while you can start with basic tools, the tool truck becomes a lifeline and a burden both.
More than once I plan on paying truck account off,,, and new tool requirement makes me buy more.
My suggestion,, step back, look at your big picture and try several angles before just jumping. See if state and federal money will be available to retrain IF your out of a job, take those classes your seeing at lower prices at local college.
Look at the want ads and see where your expertise might be directed, either one.
Take a breath and think things through. Oh and give a little prayer to God to give you patience and insight.
Thanks to God and all of the friends he gave me I am actually thinking of opening my own shop. But I still have a job to keep bills paid so far.
Good Luck
Lee

[ADaughen]

Move.


If it were only that easy.

My wife makes the $$. Which is the only way I could even think about quitting my job for a year...



I still want to work on cars, but I am going a different route than WyoTech. Heck, the salesman even said I could do anything I set my mind to. :1st:

[69stang]

pm'd ya