Question For The Technicians Out There

[Zenobian_84]

Starting tech school for AST (Automotive Service Technologies) here in a couple of weeks, and the programs going to take me about 10 months to complete the initial course. Another 5 or 6 if I want to go into the advanced course, which I'll most likely go for. After completing the courses, I'll be ASE certified for the basics and, depending on what the advanced course entails, more thorough things. 

 

Now, as far as training goes, I was thinking after I get out and get settled down somewhere else in the state, I'd like to go for further training elsewhere. I was originally wanting to go to UTI out of Orlando, but it's quite a bit out of my $ range. If I got a job for a year or two and saved enough money, UTI wouldn't be out of the question, nor would a different kind of technical institute. The biggest thing I'm torn on is whether I want to go for Diesel Tech or Motorcycle Tech, as I'd love to get to learn the inner-workings of both kinds of engines. I have limited experience servicing diesels, and none for motorcycles; but motorcycles interest me more than diesels do. :dunno:

 

To make it short, for those of you who've graduated technical training schools for automotive related things:

 

Where did you go?

What did you major in?

What was the cost?

Did you enjoy the program?

What would you recommend as far as advanced training goes after I'd complete my initial schooling, should I wish to go for certification in other fields?

Just wanted some thoughts and insights, so I can get a better picture of what I'd like to do. :cheers:

[dasbulliwagen]

I took the auto body degree proram at Nashville Auto Diesel College back in 91-92. I think it is called something else now. And 8 years ago I graduated with a degree in automotive systems from the local community college. The community college program I took was as good or better than any of the bigger schools and cosy a ton less. Just do your research on the programs available in your area. As far as diesel or bike? Go for diesel. You'll never be without work or options for work. There aren't that many bike shops out there which means options are limited.

[bumpy]

i agree with everything the above guy said about diesel over motorcycle... you can always learn motorcycle on your own time as well, diesel can be a b*@$£ to learn.. also look into anything HVAC as everyone wants heat in the winter and AC in the summer! you'll never be out of a job and most likely the one everyone calls for sidejobs on the weekends! good luck!

[nitroxsteve]

I went to Nashville auto diesel in 1994. The cost back then was $13,500 for the year. I did enjoy the school and it gave me a good start. In my opinion ASE certification is not important in the heavy equipment field. When i started the school i planned to work on the automotive side but switched to diesel. I would also recomend the diesel field over motorcycle mostly because of job security. Diesel mechanics are in high demand all over the country and motorcycles can be seasonal. I worked for heavy equipment dealers after graduation mainly because the dealers tend to send you for factory training usually 1-2 weeks a year. Specializing in a certain field can also be helpful. I specialized in hydraulic and electrical and it has worked well for my career. I have worked in the heavy equipment field since i graduated and have never been unemployed for a day. Its not always an easy field to work in but its secure and the money can be good.

[Automan2164]

Where did you go?

What did you major in?

What was the cost?

Did you enjoy the program?

What would you recommend as far as advanced training goes after I'd complete my initial schooling, should I wish to go for certification in other fields?

 

Went to UTI in Glendale Heights, IL.

I took the full boat. Auto, Diesel, and Industrial, which included every class offered.

Cost IIRC in 2004-5 was $23,500-ish.

I loved the program and the instructors. Most of what you get out of the program is what you put into it. There were people that obviously didn't care, and people that wanted to succeed. Hot Rod U was cool, but it is sort of gimmicky. Built the T-bucket, modified a '92 Camaro Z28 (Instuctor made us wear the mullet wig whenever we dyno'ed the car). I did have one bad instructor, but that was about it. I had one that was a richard also, but at least he still taught.

I would recommend getting a base education in and get out there. Certification and ongoing skills will really depend on what you sink your teeth into. Employers would probably rather see you with a good base education and solid entry level experience than more degrees than a thermometer, and no experience. Depending on the job you should also have ongoing training that may be job specific, and paid by the employer. 

 

As for motorcycle or diesel, diesel. Motorcycles (Besides being seasonal up here) are toys. Times get tough, the economy gets bad, or what have you, and people don't drive them as much, sell them, don't buy new ones... It's a flexible market, and a cycle shop that gets slow may not keep you employed. Diesel trucks are always on the move, and need to be maintained. I think coming up here, light diesels are going to be making a solid comeback. They already kind of have, but I think this is just the tip.

 

Rob

[conker]

Where did you go?

What did you major in?

What was the cost?

Did you enjoy the program?

What would you recommend as far as advanced training goes after I'd complete my initial schooling, should I wish to go for certification in other fields?

Just wanted some thoughts and insights, so I can get a better picture of what I'd like to do. :cheers:

 

If you can take community college courses I'd suggest that, assuming they have a good program (local HS has great adult-education course with full ASE prep stuff). Once you've taken the courses you can take your ASE tests, and you'll get a certificate of completion, but not an actualy certification, unless you meet the x hours of work requirement, but you can take this completion cert with you in a job interview. If you get in at a dealership (not a mom&pop deal) they'll pay for your training from that point on.

 

for 4 semesters of the auto class at my local adult edu thing it was $400 for each class ($1600) and then I think the textbook was about $200, which covers all the classes and then some.

[KYMJ]

My son took diesel at nashville auto diesel. It is quite expensive, but he is working for Caterpillar as a field tech with a service truck. 60,70 hours a week making more than i made at the Fire Dept when i retired and he loves it. Don't think he'll ever be without work.

[outlaw star]

I personally have an AA in Automotive Engineering and a degree in Automotive Technology (mechanics) I was the last class of New England Tech before they sold out to Lincoln Tech. My old teachers hate the new curriculum because they've cut out a lot of base knowledge and skill diagnostics for "oh look, lets let the scanner tell us "exactly" what's wrong" which is BS.

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips and comments everyone. Decided that I'll probably go back eventually for Diesel, and learn motorcycles on my own time on the side. Still, it'll take time, but I'll get there eventually. 

 

 

If you can take community college courses I'd suggest that, assuming they have a good program (local HS has great adult-education course with full ASE prep stuff). Once you've taken the courses you can take your ASE tests, and you'll get a certificate of completion, but not an actualy certification, unless you meet the x hours of work requirement, but you can take this completion cert with you in a job interview. If you get in at a dealership (not a mom&pop deal) they'll pay for your training from that point on.

 

for 4 semesters of the auto class at my local adult edu thing it was $400 for each class ($1600) and then I think the textbook was about $200, which covers all the classes and then some.

 

I wish this was a viable option down here in FL. There was only one community college near where I lived, but it turned into a state college a few years ago. The only place to get training (to my knowledge, at least) down here is in the smaller and larger tech schools. Unless you plan on paying out the wazoo for the student costs at a state college. The surrounding CC's in other metro areas that had some sort of auto program seemed sort of sketchy to me at best. I'd rather go somewhere where the curriculum is a complete focus, and not just an afterthought to the school or the teachers. :dunno:

[mvusse]

DO NOT GO MOTORCYCLE!!!

 

A friend's son has a lawn equipment store, and hired a Harley Davidson certified/licensed mechanic with a metric crap load of student loans away from the local Harley dealership. After more than two years the kid was still only making $11 an hour.

 

He got his degree from MMI in Orlando.