I was just wondering if there are any auto technicians around. I've been considering going towards that field, specifically at a community college or wyotech. I'm currently a ME major still trying to complete prereq's and struggling in my math classes. I've always had an interest for cars and like to work on them.

My question is, how do you guys like your jobs and which school did you go to? I hear about the BMW Step Program at Wyotech and it seems like thats a good goal to work towards. I think theres also a Honda Certified program at my local community college. What kind of jobs did you land and if you don't mind me asking, how is the pay?

 

an ME degree is a huge difference than going to wyotech or something similar to become an auto tech.

If you are having trouble getting through the all the pre-req classes for ME then a warning, it only gets harder. Although most upper level ME classes are a lot more enjoyable than all the pre-req stuff, they are definately more difficult as well.

Your earning potential is much greater getting that engineering degree than becoming an auto tech, but I am a firm believer in being happy with what you do and not just trying to make the most money. Do something you enjoy and will continue to enjoy for years to come. That is my suggestion.

 

Wyotech to most companies that are hiring, is a joke, UTI or an equal is looked upon as a pre-req to getting all of your ASE patches and becoming an ASE Certified Master Technitian.

Cheers,
Austin

 

Thanks for the info guys. I've also been thinking about the industrial technology major, not as math intense but i need to look more into that.

 

Im a BMW tech and if you want to get in to a BMW dealer you should go to wyotech's BMW step program but if your going into another MFG id go to UTI or equiv.

 

You at SJSU? Why not industrial engineering? I'm sure some of the prereqs carry over so that you won't have to spend extra years. at most schools insdustrial is a great exit route for people who feel too pressured in the more computationally heavy engineering fields but still want to graduate with an engineering degree.

(also since when did i-club turn into a higher education discussion forum )

*edit* you already said you were considering it

 

I'm not at sjsu yet but plan on transferring next year. I was considering Industrial Tech but i think you're talking about Industrial Engineering, they're different if i'm not mistaken.

 

UTI has BMW STEP too (I'm in it) ...I'd go to UTI if I could do it all over. If you're considering going to Wyo or UTI, go see the Wyo campus in Fremont...then if you can make it out to AZ, your decision will be done.

 

I goto UTI right now (woot 4 more months and im done!), and i learned a sh*t load of information. got some certs on the way. and fixing cars is nothing now.... i wana be a heavy line or drivability tech later on

wyotech is more for, custom applications. They teach you how to weld, and do custom crap on hotrods.

UTI is more steered on teaching you theroy on gasoline/deisel/industrial/body
you learn ALOT more at uti. we have more tools, clip cars, and teachers. but the only thing that sux is the price is going up each year. i paid 22,000 for just automotive. right now its like 27!!!!!!! if you have auto/deisel/ford thats like 35!!!! but if your serious about being a technician, UTI is a great way to go. if your just bored.... give me $10,000 and ill teach you

if ya got any more questions PM meh

 

yeah UTI has the program and i agree that its a good program but if you live in the bayarea why the hell would you go all the way to AZ for school when you can get pretty much the same training here for less money???and still live at home.

 

cause uti has the name behind it

i used to live in washington... moving out here i learned a lot of **** & responsibility

its not for everyone. half the people at uti should not be there. they dont care and they live off there parents money and again, they just dont care .

i do not regret anything out here so far

 

If you're sure you want to keep working on cars, I don't think you should continue with the ME degree. I just started as a freshman in ME this past quarter, and it seems there are many other specialty schools that will teach you more about cars and the automotive industry than ME.

ME is a much more broad major, which, IMHO, will allow a more broad search for jobs in the future. Since you can still apply much of what you learn to many different types of engineering. To name a few, you can go into Aero, Industrial, and Manufacturing engineering areas with a ME degree. But if you're struggling, and are sure you want to work in automotive, I agree with Ish and you should reconsider your options.

 

Its better to start as a entry level tech @ either a large shop or a good dealership..and learn the ropes.

Many good shops and delearships after awhile will send you to school and training on their own dime.

Even if you get out of a trade school most of the time you start from the bottom anyways.

I have hired a few people from Wyotech and UTI,..your better off saving your money to be honest.

Just some advice...this is no meant to knock any of you @ those schools.

 

I agree with MARKSTI if you can get a foot in the door like I did you will learn a whole lot more, its great to be book smart but on hands experience is the way to go.

im not saying wyotech or UTI are not a good way to go but on hands experience wins hands down forsure. I know way more then the step guys we have hired in the same amount of time, but and this is important.. if you don't know jack about the car line then its going to be hard to get a foot in the door
when you interview with the place your going to have to impress them with knowledge since you dont have any paperwork to back you up. or know someone who can give you a recommendation.
To be honest also the guys we hired from UTI had a really bad attitude when they came in they though they could fix anything right away and most ended up being fired because they broke so much stuff and the guys we have from wyotech were alot better they for one did not have the attitude. and many are still with us.
its just info im not knocking anyone those guys could have just been bad examples of the people from UTI.
I have been in the same dealer for 11 years now and seen alot of guys come and go.
once again this is just info from someone in the business i don't want to offend anyone out there. just have a good and positive attitude and don't be arrogant

 

THe Wyotech Fremont school isn't that bad, just not good. I'm also a Wyotech/Sequioa Fremont graduate and I can honestly say I learned while I was there. Here's the problem with the school though. If your already mechanicly inclined like I was, and I think most students there can relate, your going to be bored untill you get to Emmisions devices. Everything else is basic car stuff. "This how a strut works", "This is what a caliper does". Stuff like that. All the classess start off real basic, and most don't get very advanced.

Don't expect to get into Fabrication or Hot Rod work there. Thats Wyotech Wyoming that has those programs. Fremont was still working on getting there new Paint and Hot Rod type classess running.

If you want to go and work for a specific brand or dealership, check out what they want for training background. When I went to talk to the owner of my local Pontiac/GMC/Buick dealer he said my past training wasn't important because they would have sent to a Manufacter specific training class at night anyway.

As far as UTI vs Wyotech goes, I'm sure UTI is great. I've heard nothing but good. BUt not everyone can afford to up-root and move to Arizona. Look at your own needs first.