[Dubz]

Finishing up a 3 year Science Degree at university and have decided that i'll probably swich career choices to something dealing with cars. So what sort of schooling do you need to become a master mechanic, or a mechanic for that matter?? Correspondace courses be allright?? or is there institutions that are known for excelling in teaching mechanics?

[Rubberman2003]

If you have Spike Tv, watch it on saturdays, they always have commericials for a place called Wyotech, they have a website, something like www.wyotech.com I heard they are about the best there is.

[nightrain_rod]

Wyotech is a good choice for an automotive,diesel,and auto-body school,but there are other equal and sometimes higher-approved schools out there.There is one in Nashville about 200 miles away from me that is equally or maybe even more accredited than Wyotech.It's all in what you want.

For example,my cousin recently graduated from Wyotech.He took the automotive course.He said that it was a good school,but the classes were overcrowded and you really had to pay attention to get anything out of it.But,that's the way it is with all of them.Whether you go to Wyotech,or some other Automotive College,you'll learn what you need to know to get out there and make some big bucks in this high-demanding industry.

I admire your decision for a possible career change also .

Nightrain

[Dubz]

for a general mechanics course are they all about the same??

[nightrain_rod]

Basically.That's what I was saying.There's hardly any difference from school-to-school.I think that a basic tuition from Wyotech or a similar school would set you back ~$12,000-$20,000.That's a good chunk of cash,but you'll be making 2,to 3 times that per year .

Nightrain

[troy-curt]

You can't just walk on to a job right out of school and expect to be a technician. No matter how many schools you go to.

On the job training is the best way to learn. Most shops have a program to send you to tech schools. Good Luck.

Troy



69 ss rs full custom camaro 98 ISCA grandchampion
69 ss rs bb camaro wifes driver
66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver
69 ss chevelle bb conv.fresh frame off
26 T sedan street rod

[nightrain_rod]

True that,but most schools offer "in-shop training" which would count somewhat for part of your "on-job training" experience.Schools such as Wyotech and Nashville Auto-Diesel College for example,have "in-shop training".Part of the school day you're in the classroom,the other half,you're in the shop.Don't get me wrong though.."On-job training" is still VERY important!!

Good luck!

Nightrain

[Kevin45]

you really had to pay attention to get anything out of it.

I thought thats the way it was with any school.

Kevin

[4 Jaw Chuck]

Finish the fourth year Dubz, get your degree and then think about changing careers. Red River College has a great mechanics course, their Heavy Duty/Indusrial Mechanic course is very well known across the country also.

Why the change of heart?

[Gassman]

Please listen to 4 jaw. You have come too far to quit. Have been a mechanic for over 25 yrs. Have swmashed , burned or strained every part of my body one time or anoter. Also don't forget summer heat or winter cold. Never missed any meals and have people calling all the time about side work but there has to be a better way. I'm too old , too dumb and to poor to start over now. Good luck witch ever you choose.

[Sandflea427SS]

you don't really need a school...You just need to pass the tests.
My buddy worked and learned in a small shop. He put in 5 or 6 years until he learned enough to pass all the tests...He could, perhaps, have done it earlier. He had no mechanic schooling at all. And, he is the fine fellow working at a large Ford dealership in Maryland I speak of often, He makes around 65,000-70,000 a year working 45 hour weeks.

[4 Jaw Chuck]

As an engineer you could start at 70K per year, believe me the world needs more mechanically inclined engineers. I have seen to many that couldn't change their own spark plugs. Sciences are tied right in with Engineering and changing majors is not that big a deal. You just might meet some great guys just like yourself that hop up cars and build their own stuff. Forget the mechanical technologist direction, you do all the work and get half the pay.

Take it from a guy who should have listened to his own advice. It's much better to wear a white shirt than a blue denim one.

Of course if you are interested in wearing a green scrubs uniform...send me a PM.

[nightrain_rod]

Originally posted by Kevin45
I thought thats the way it was with any school.

Kevin

I know that,but what I meant was that he said the classes were so crowded that you had to really pay attention and keep your ears open or you wouldn't hear or understand what they were saying.I'm just going by what he said.According to him,they had some overcrowding problems.

Nightrain

[Dubz]

Originally posted by 4 Jaw Chuck
Finish the fourth year Dubz, get your degree and then think about changing careers. Red River College has a great mechanics course, their Heavy Duty/Indusrial Mechanic course is very well known across the country also.

Why the change of heart?

I'm taking a 3 year degree, allready in my fourth year since i spread out my courses. Compupter Science Major, Physics minor. I just have a passion for cars that I used to have for computers when i was younger, and the computer field is getting smaller and smaller since alot of younger people got into it not that long ago, and none will really be retireing for another 30-40 years

Cars are my passion, they are what makes me get up in the morning and what i think about when i fall asleep. I have oil and gas in my blood, and I don't think i could ever be as happy working with computers as i could covered in oil and grease working on a car.

I was thinking about a taking automotive engineering but i don't know that i would be able to get by the calculus to get that kind of degree.

I'll look into red river after this year (i may still finish my degree if i pass all my courses this term)

[NAIRB]

I would finish what you have already started. A mechanic is not that glamorous of a job. Not to discount anyone who does it for a living, but there is so much more to life, and let's just say that the internal combustion engine is not exactly cutting edge technology. If I were in your shoes, and knowing what I know now, I would stick in college, get that degree and rub shoulders with the sharpest people I could find. You become a product of your environment eventually, so control your environment while you can. Once you have a wife and children, you are limited with your choices, but while you are a free man, examine the world as much as possible.