Possible Career Option - Automotive Technician

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Slash

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So I'm 16, turning 17 in a few days. I'd like to discuss my possible options in the world after school with some people that are already in the field of work that I am currently going to school for by trade, and that is to be an automotive technician. When graduated, I will be certified and registered automotive technician in the the state of New York. I am also taking an online training course that will supposedly make me look better and have more knowledge that in turn could increase my pay. I do get certificates of completion for this course. I'd like to keep this as a hobby but as I come to realization with the world around me, I may have to take this as a career. I know here in NY starting our you make about $12-$15 an hour after high school. This can increase with experience as with anything. I enjoy the field and that is why I am really thinking about pursuing it. I did not want to go to college, but I am re-considering going to Ohio Tech, as they have a great program and things I can afford. If I go there I do have more options. I want my life to be productive.

I have heard very good things about this school. I'm particularly looking into the high performance side of things, as this is what I love the most.. Diesel was another because of all the money there is involved with Diesel. We will see.

I know the field is very labor intensive and can take a toll on your body. However, I am willing to take this. When in school (I have 1 more year left), we are required to participate in an internship at local shops around the area we live in. We cannot graduate without this. It is very likely that you will be offered a decent job after graduation if you do good work for the place you intern for 6 weeks at. I have a few places I'm already looking into interning for but I don't really have to worry about that until next year when I am a senior (year 13) in high school.

From what I have gathered on the internet, most people makee wages of about $30K to $90K a year, and depending on the palce of employment, can offer great benefits and a good retirement plan, with some places able to retire at 55 years of age. However I don't see me retiring that early. Then again, I hear the average lifespan for a mechanic is 65. I won't be just doing repair jobs and tires, I'm in the full out thing right now for computers and the like and having that knowledge could increase pay as well. However, two years insn't nearly enough to cover all the information I am willing to learn, hence why college is starting to become an option. Having that extra experience coming in could possibly 1-up me from the rest of the crowd. The class I'm currently in has had people graduate and end up working for BMW and Ferrari here in the states. So it is HIGHLY possible if I want it that bad. I mean, who wouldn't want to work for Ferrari? As seemingly difficult as that is, it has happened and I would like to be at that level someday.

This is my dream I suppose. I'm just looking at the opotions right now to see if this would be good for me. I don't wnat more than the average middle class American has in the future, just enough to get by with my hopeful wife and children by then. I know I will more than likely have to put a lot of hours in a week and I am totally willing. I am different from most people in my area who refuse to work. I want to earn that paycheck at the end of the week.

Another thing I am looking at is that depending on the place of employment, I may end up with flat rate wages. This wouldn't be bad if the shop I go to has good business however I am kind of worried that I may not be able to make enough. Something to think about.

So is there any of you that have taking this path? What should I think about down the line? Any help would be great.
 
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It's a great path to go on as long as you don't count on making that $30k right out of school. One thing you have to consider is this: No matter how bad the job market and the economy gets, there will always be a need for automotive technicians/mechanics.
 
I know for a fact that will NOT happen directly out of school, I will have to work my way up to that. That is partially one of the reasons why I'm looking into this field. There will always be a job.
 
I'd love to comment and try to be helpful but there's a huge block of bolded, red text and it's making my eyes want to bleed.
 
I'd love to comment and try to be helpful but there's a huge block of bolded, red text and it's making my eyes want to bleed.

I struggled through half of it. :lol:

Might look into repairing hybrids/electric cars as well. You have to wear a rubber body suit, but maybe worth it. :P
 
I think if the money is right, I may look into that as well. Right now I just want to weigh in the different options and see whats best for me.
 
Color and boldness fixed. Wall of text remains lol.

Okay. Well if auto maintenance is really your thing and you're really set on not going to college then it seems like you're thinking the right things. It's going to be hard work, you're going to have to deal with brainless customers, and you're not going to make a ton of money. That said, if you can find steady full-time employment you shouldn't have trouble making enough for a comfortable life. You can also think about starting your own shop and then you'll be able to make more money (obviously at a higher risk).

If you're a mechanical person, I think you should research engineering. I know you said you didn't want to go to college but I think you'd benefit from at least looking into it. The awesome thing about engineering is that you can go down so many paths.

I graduated from high school with a guy who went into avionics and he was working on planes at a local airport with some certificates while going to engineering school at night. He was married with a house while being the owner of his mom and two brother's cars by the time he was 22. In this economy. He got a job with Gulfstream and they're going to pay the rest of his education and he'll head a department after he graduates.

Anyways, the worst that can happen from you researching those things is that you'll be even more pleased with your original decision. Conversely, (one of) the best thing that can happen might be a story similar to the guy I went to school with.
 
As much as I don't want to go to college, I'm still looking into it as an option for my future. With this certification I will have and the fact that I will be registered with the state, I can start my own shop if I so choose. However if I do go down that path, it will not be for a long time, 20+ years at the most. I want to be in the work force and be stable enough so that if and when I decide to go there I won't end up getting screwed.

Full time employment is what I'm most worried about. There are many many shops around where I live that offer this however not all of them need someone new. But hey. What I'm really thinking about is being able to live a comfortable life whilst being in the workfoce that I love. Being able to pay my bills with all the basic essentials obviously, have a family, a roof over my head, gas in the car, and food on the table at night. That's all I need. anything else is extra in my book.

Now that is interesting that you say this about engineering. I may look into this as well. A quick Google search gave me numerous sources and lots of information. What would be the overall difference between engineering and just being a normal technician? I'm assuming I would be better off.

If I really push it I'm sure I could go far in this world but I'd really have to want it and work for it. Right now I'm in the early stages but I think I could make it work out. I'm not trying to find any unrealistic expectations. I've come to realize what I've got coming for me.
 
Right now I'm in the early stages but I think I could make it work out. I'm not trying to find any unrealistic expectations. I've come to realize what I've got coming for me.

What you have coming to you is directly related to the amount of effort and dedication you put in as well as having the energy pointed in the right direction. That goes for school or career.
 
I'd highly suggest you consider some kind of schooling especially when your starting out. If you can complete some sort of extra schooling it shows your dedicated, have extra knowledge others don't and looks fantastic on a resume. Even of its a 6 month course in something related it just makes you different from the average applicant.
Jobs are also a lot about who you know so ask around to anybody you may know with any sort of connection because if you can get anybody that a shop owner even slightly knows that will give you a recommendation then they are going to feel much more comfortable hiring you on instead of somebody else.

With all that said I'm trying to become an electrician completely unexperienced because I realized the degree I was chasing I absolutely hated. I'm thinking of doing a 6 month program to get me started as it was recommended by my girlfriend's cousin's boyfriend's dad who works for the biggest electrical company in BC where I live. I hope to get a job out of that when I'm done :)
 
Well I can always ask my dad about this stuff, he knows pretty much everyone car related around here because he had the "the truck" that everyone talked about and knows him by. Just the other day I was talking to a friend whos dad worked with mine and he said his dad said oh him? You mean the guy with that big red Ford he used to drive around all the time? haha.

For real though I should probably talk to him about that. He goes to a shop about 30 minutes away from where I live that does great work and has friends I know personally that work there. He only goes there when he doesn't have the time to do the work himself. I'm really dedicated to learning more in this field and want to learn as much as I can about everything so I stand out. Stamina and physical energy is yet another thing to worry about. I'm just a skimpy little guy lol.
 
Well like I said I can see if he will talk to the guys next time he either goes there or calls them up and maybe I can intern there. My dad is a master electircian but also is a mechanic even though he isn't registered. He pretty much learned everything to fix his vehicles to save money and show off. What can i do to prepare for the work world (even though I know what to expect)? If I go this route, I want to be set.
 
I know you didn't say this, but this is from an earlier post of mine. Basically, as long as you understand that being a mechanic is rarely about sports cars and beloved historic cars...maybe in the chatter between repairs.

Here is the list of cars I perfer to work on: Subaru Impreza WRX STi '04-'07, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 or 9, Honda S2000 '01-'05, Toyota Supra '93-'98, Toyota MR2 '89-'98, Nissan 350Z '03-'06, Toyota Tacoma X-Runner '04-'07, Nissan 240SX/S13/14 '89-'98, Nissan 300ZX '89-'98, Mistubishi 3000GT VR4 '96-'01, Mitsubishi Esclipse GSX '96-'98, Lexus IS300 '02-'05, Pontaic GTO '04-'06, Mazda RX7 '92-'97 or a Dodge Challenger '08. I know it's a long list but these are some I am thinking about.

But to shorten it up. I thought about the STi, Evo, Supra, S2000, RX7, the two Zs, MR2, 3000GT and the IS300. Are these some good ideas? Let me know what you think.

As a mechanic, you are not going to limit yourself to any particular models of cars unless you own your own shop, or don't want to make any serious money. Ninety percent of the cars out there are average daily drivers, and they are going to naturally be the backbone of your paycheck. It's likely easier to start with a single marque (or a family of them) and learn the trade from there, before you try your hand at a variety of makes and models, unless you're only going to change oil/filter, brakes, and replace tires.

The simple fact is that not everyone drives a sports car, so limiting yourself to a tiny niche market sounds nice, but the reality is that you can't ignore the beaters, family sedans, minivans, trucks, and SUVs...never mind the service manager and dispatcher will tell you what vehicle to work on. Most shops pay you on flat rate hours (except when you're training), so you'll gladly work on the Chevy Impala that pays 3.5 hours for a bunch of work, rather than the Evo owner who might just want an oil and filter change, unless you really know the owner.

I should also add that many a seasoned technician has told me you spend the first ten years paying off your tools and the fancy box that costs as much as a base-model Nissan Versa. The only freebies are specialized stuff that the dealership owns for diagnosis (computers, testing equipment, et cetera), or large items like transmission jacks and engine hoists...you're not taking those home.

I've worked in the automotive service industry since 2003; now I configure and train departments on how to use the software that helps coordinate the dealership's departments, so I travel around the country and help people because I've been there, and more apt with tinkering with computers and software rather than a car. Plus I have patience, which seems to be the most valuable asset in this position.

In the end, do what you like: Talking shop, computers, gadgets, racing, et cetera is always a nice motivator...people know it and appreciate it when you do what you like to do. Like any job, it's going to have up and down days, that's part of life.
 
I know you didn't say this, but this is from an earlier post of mine. Basically, as long as you understand that being a mechanic is rarely about sports cars and beloved historic cars...maybe in the chatter between repairs.

Good read. This I understand. The class I am in now runs like a shop. The general public brings their vehicles in to be worked on by the students while the teacher guides them if they don't know what they are doing. Now the nice thing is here is that for my birthday this week I am recieving 2 fully loaded Snap-On and Mac toolboxes worth over $20K so I won't have that to worry about. Obviously there is going to be more I'm going to need but for the most part like small jacks etc are going to be provided to me, unless on a very rare occasion.
 
Slashfan
Good read. This I understand. The class I am in now runs like a shop. The general public brings their vehicles in to be worked on by the students while the teacher guides them if they don't know what they are doing. Now the nice thing is here is that for my birthday this week I am recieving 2 fully loaded Snap-On and Mac toolboxes worth over $20K so I won't have that to worry about.

Well, that's one huge expense out of the way! You'll still be tempted by the visiting trucks each week...
 
One thing about being techs, you will have to keep up with the new technology. Learning & schooling never ends.

Pupik will probably know this for sure, but isn't it true that many shops will pay schooling for their technicians?
 
Look into the automotive schools. Since you're getting close to college, you can go for that, especially. One example: Advanced Technology Institute. You could ask your guidance counselor for more information. They're equipped to know who would be good and not... or know who to call/ask.

The extra schooling can help you get a job above the 'roadside assistant' from the start. I know of some gents who get the 18 month-3 year education and then get a job at a good automotive center or dealer.
 
If I knew then, what I know now, I would never had become a Vehicle Mechanic/Technician/Electrician. The only way to make decent money is to do private jobs in the evening and weekends, which if you have no social life and lots of money is ideal. Unfortunately, that was not for me.
Then there is the customers. An increasing majority of customers do not want to pay for repairs on their car. They whine when they bring in their car, saying they need it repaired quickly, while saying they are selling it, so they don't want to spend anything on repairing it, even though they cant be without it. You then see them a year later in the same car, that they were planning to sell.
 
a6m5
One thing about being techs, you will have to keep up with the new technology. Learning & schooling never ends.

...Isn't it true that many shops will pay schooling for their technicians?

You have get yourself off the ground financially; after that, dealerships will assist with training. Nowadays, it's mostly web-based distance learning. If you're one of the top 1-3 techs at a dealer, sometimes they'll send you to a hands-on workshop for some new technology.
 
If I knew then, what I know now, I would never had become a Vehicle Mechanic/Technician/Electrician. The only way to make decent money is to do private jobs in the evening and weekends, which if you have no social life and lots of money is ideal. Unfortunately, that was not for me.
Then there is the customers. An increasing majority of customers do not want to pay for repairs on their car. They whine when they bring in their car, saying they need it repaired quickly, while saying they are selling it, so they don't want to spend anything on repairing it, even though they cant be without it. You then see them a year later in the same car, that they were planning to sell.

This. Making money as a grease monkey does not exist.
 
Dennisch
This. Making money as a grease monkey does not exist.

It does, but only the top tech(s) will make over $50-60k a year. If it's a busy store, then yes. Otherwise, there's a lot that don't make much more than average...and below average is where you start in any career.
 
Now if thats the case, I may have to get a second job? I mean I want to be at the top of my game.
 
Hey Slashfan, did you check out UTI yet? I'm looking into their school as well.

I mostly in the midst between Penn Foster for online, Universal Techinical Institute for a more direct hands on or going to my local community college and see what they offer.

But check out UTI and Penn Forster Auto Tech courses. I graduated out of Penn Forster High School and the school is a great place if you choose online and the teachers always try their best to help you along the way.
 
It does, but only the top tech(s) will make over $50-60k a year. If it's a busy store, then yes. Otherwise, there's a lot that don't make much more than average...and below average is where you start in any career.

The ones who get dirty greasy hands won't make any decent money.

But. And I mean a big BUT.

I just found out that there is (atleast here in NL) there is an other option for me. I can get a bachelor for automotive something something. I'll bet the US of A has something similar to that. And with that kind of paper in the pocket, you can get money. I mean real money. Up to 100k a year. So there is still hope.
 

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