Auto Tech??

[pbsteve09]

Hello, im currently 19 years old and going on 20..and i swear ive im going through a mid-life crisis. Ive been at my college studying nutrition and dietetics for about 2 years now. The problem with it, is that my grades are slowly declining. However, i dont feel it is im not intelligent enough, its the lack of motivation. I hate (did i mention hate) the fact that i go into a classroom, pay the school over 1000 dollars to have a teach read our text book, put it on a powerpoint, then spit it back to us...then have us spit it back to her on a scantron. When the whole time i could save that money and just read the textbook myself. It just feels like a waste of time and not enough hands on activitiy for me. Now of course no one likes going to class and taking tests, i understand that. However I love getting my hands on mechanics and tinkering. Its been a past time love for me (with paintball guns mostly seeing i didnt have access to cars as a kid). So i was thinking of looking else where (www.uti.edu). I love the fact that after learning, you go crank on a motor for a few hrs. My question is there any other mechanics with this similar problem or scenerio (or possibly just related feeling) that could help me guide myself through this? Or am i just nutz?? whats going on!!!

steve

[hoser813]

i wouldnt drop out... id change my major if i were you. You seem to like engines and stuff like that, so why dont you try out engineering. A college degree has a much more prosperous future than being a mechanic.

[Duffman]

well im in school for mechanical engineering and let me tell you if your gonna switch to engineering your gonna have alot of sleepless nights and tons of equations/formulas to lean and learn how to apply them.

[RedSpikeyThing]

Just remember that what you are studying in school is what you are going to be doing for a living. That means do what you LIKE to do, not necessarily what you are good at. If you're going to be making a career out of it, you better be happy!

However, if you are satisfied with your current program and are just bitching about teachers, then join the club! I'm almost better off learning from the book a lot of times. In this case, suck it up and push through it because you're already studying what you like.

[hoser813]

well im in school for mechanical engineering and let me tell you if your gonna switch to engineering your gonna have alot of sleepless nights and tons of equations/formulas to lean and learn how to apply them.

what year are you?

[BG5150]

True dat. If you like nutrition and dietetics, just look at this as paying your dues. If the teacher is just reading out of the text and the tests are based on that, just ditch class and show up for the tests (after reading the books, of course!).

If not, you may want to think about the automotive industry. Engineering is an option. A LOT of work, though--there will be a ton of math and book learning before you even get to touch anything. But you will not only learn the how, but the why, as well.

Mechanic school is an option, too. But maybe you could get a job at a garage while you go to school. Get some of the hands on stuff you crave so much as well as an education.

[Genacide]

I was taking some classes related to Auto mechanics because I like working on cars. Well a couple classes someone asked me: "You have to know if this is right for you, do you want to be 40 years old bent over a car" Right then I knew this wasn't for me. I'm now a IT tech, but I do all my own car repairs. Something that you like to do is not always a good career choice.

[thetopdog]

I agree with B5150, just don't go to class. I've been to probably 15% of my classes total, you're paying for the degree, not to be taught (sad, but true)

You could consider engineering, but it's hard, and a lot of work. If you think you're up for it though, I suggest you check it out. My best friend at school just finished building a fully functional remote control airplane (not full sized of course ), complete with artificial intelligence to keep it upright and a bunch of other cool stuff that I don't really understand since I'm an economics major

[f=ma]

i goto class.. i figure worst case i might learn something lol

[Roark]

i live in charlotte, nc.....nascar country.(although, i hate nascar)

i tell you what, there's a lot of young guys around here making BANK as automotive mechanics.

also, w/ knowledge of automobile repair, you can move anywhere in the world and find work. i.e. costa rica, thailand, etc.

all that being said, i know absolutely jack **** about cars.

[Neil]

A college degree has a much more prosperous future than being a mechanic.

Depends what kind of degree you have. I know auto techs that made $20 an hour as soon as they recieved certification and are now making 25-30 an hour. The way they are paid they can get 10 hours of pay in 5 hours of work if they are fast and the job doesn't come back. If you can get into a BWM, Mercedes, Lexus ect. dealership you can make even more.

[Duffman]

what year are you?

im a sophmore

[hoser813]

im a mech e right now too. Im only a freshman, but I dont think its too bad so far. Ive got a knack for math, though. I hear after sophmore year it gets a lot easier.

[Duffman]

well at my school you dont really start any real engineering classes until your junior year and then all you take is your core engineering classes and from what alot of the juniors and seniors tell me they have to study/do homework about 10 hours a day to keep up with everything.

[hoser813]

really? it sounds like we have the same type of program, but from the engineers ive talked to, they said their hardest year was soph, and the actual engineering classes werent that bad.

[mrelwooddowd]

pbsteve - If you want to be a mechanic, then be a mechanic. I'd suggest diesel, though. Those guys make a ton of money, compared to regular auto mechanics. If I read correctly, a diesel mechanic can make as much as 50 an hour. Not to mention that these guys are in heavy demand, and frequently get called out to fix things that have to be up and working ASAP. That means premium time pay, and big $$$ for you. There's a big diesel school in Nashville, I believe, where everyone seems to be headed these days.

[Brawl]

Why be a mechanic doing what you like when you can be an engineer , something you might hate ? Once you are an engineer doing obscure things at some obscure company , you will never remember hating it because you will make good money . About as much money as a deisel mechanic or a good regular mechanic .

Bottom line bro .. do something you like . If you do become an engineer , try to specialize in a certain field .

Oh BTW , as a mechanic , you will never be outsourced in your lifeteime ... ever .

[BilltheButcher]

My brother works for Toyota and makes $50k as a mechanic. It really depends on your productivity and how many hours you can bill for them. He has a finance degree and has done about every job known to man, he worked on Wall Street, went in the Air Force, cleaned Gas Tanks of commercial planes, night shift at Home Depot, manager of Target, Post Office, UPS, and countless other jobs. He's made six figures a year and under $20k a year and he has come up with one undeniable fact. If you are not happy what you are doing then it doesn't matter how much money you are making. He loves cars and he is up for team lead where he will get a piece of everyonee's hours under him and he'll probably make around $70k. Not bad for turning wrenches.

[midee1]

Many mechanics also get paid on Flat Rate. This means that there are books out there that give you the amount of time allotted to do a particular job such as R&R brake pads. It may state that R&R is 2.2 hours which means that you will get paid for 2.2 hours regardless of how long it actually takes you. If you learn the tricks of the trade and cut your time down then you can make some serious coin.

I had a buddy that worked for the local ford dealer and he was telling me about this. There was a particular car that paid almost 1.5 hours to change the serpentine belt. They learned a trick that cut it to ~15-20 minutes. Needless to say they would fight over who got those jobs.

Like some others have said. Do whatever makes you happy. I work in sales for a local company. I don't make a killing. I'll average 30-40K per year. But I don't have to answer to anyone. I don't clock in an out. I work out of my home. Which means i never ever have to miss any of my kids doctors appointments, sporting events or school functions. It's worth it to me to have the luxury of working when I want.

[pbsteve09]

Hey guys thanks for the advice so far. As you can imagine im kinda stressed not knowing what i want to do. My dads thinking that i should switch to business, get an assosicates or a BS..then go to auto school. However idk if that will really do anything???

[Davidelmo]

Do you need some sort of specific qualification to do what you want to do? I'm not too familiar with the US system... is a "major" similar to UK A-levels? (you take them when you're 17-18 for 2 years)