Mechanic/Technician as a Profession?

[Tenring]

My Son is graduating High school next year, months ago started working in a shop doing oil changes, service work and assisting the Techs (loves it). He is wanting to go to UTI and get a Associates Degree, along with his ASE certifications..........I was hoping he was going to be a brain surgeon, he is smart enough to be one.

In discussing this with him, he said his plan is to work in the industry for five or so years and decide what he wants to do after that. I do not know much about this industry and always told him to do what he enjoys but, what I have been reading on the web is causing me some heart burn.

Would like to hear from any Techs on if they are happy with their decision and making a reasonable wage at it. If the open forum is not a place to share information on this, please consider a PM.

Thanks for any replies.

[JerTM]

I have been a GM tech for 6 years, graduated from Weber State University through the GM ASEP program. I currently make $24/hr, high around here is about $30 with proper qualifications and time. Having said that, this job depends almost entirely on the want to work. Sure there are times that the shop is slow, but if there is no hustle, you will not make money. There are a lot of times that it gets very frustrating, everyone believes you are of low IQ, and warranty work is most of the time awful. So if he can handle his supervisor, manager, owner of the vehicles, and society in general hating him and what he does it could be a good job. If I didn't love my job and figuring things out, it would be pretty awful career. If he likes cars, have him go to school to engineer them, at least he is only hated by us whom have to fix them lol

[Donald]

Fixing cars can be good money. It also can open doors. If he is smart (like you mentioned) he will make good money and doors will open for him.

Dealers and diesel shops usually result in good money if you stick with it.
I worked for 2 different cities as an ASE Master fleet tech and it was good work. Cities usually pay salary (less than non-city techs) but the benefits and hours cannot be beat.

The city had a college reimbursement program which paid for part of my college - that and my experience helped my get my current job in marketing auto parts

[Superman09]

I started out at a private shop as the broom pusher and worked my way up. I never got ASE certified (I left 2 weeks before taking the tests).
From personal experience I think it's a good idea. It will not only give him great experience in the industry, but will give him a valuable skill for life. I grew up working on cars but after working in a shop for 3 years I had so much more confidence, enough so that I regularly work on other people's cars on the side to make extra cash.
Also it gives him a great skill that if later in life he gets tired of whatever else he might go do or if he gets layed off from a job that he can fall back on.
I loved what I did, and made ok money for my area and my lack of certs. I got out to pursue a law enforcement career which is my dream job.

Sent from my campfire using smoke signals

[Racin J]

In my opinion being a non certified ase tech for 20 yrs..its a big commitment. There is a lot of investing in tools snd equipment to stay on top of the technology the cars have now days. Dealers typically have this but depending where you work can make a huge difference in what you bring home. In Indiana it appears theres a big need for Technicians but the industry here doesnt wanna pay good at all to stay dedicated in a long term career. This is my observation. I left my job as a tech because the owner (independent shop) did NOT want to invest in his business to keep up with the times. His business is a sinking ship...so id say that its great he wants to go to school and get certified but itll take a while before a good living is made from it. Good luck!

[PHXLT1]

I know 2 people who work for dealerships. 1 works for ford and the other at bmw. Both enjoy their jobs but do admit it can be challenging with all of the changes in the auto industry. They both make hefty paychecks to, so its not all bad. As with any job dealing with the public, it can make for a stressful work enviroment. But in the end, they would still do it. Side jobs are always availabl so there in a good potential in making a lot of extra cash. But they both mentioned that they only do it on occasion because they get tired of being under the hood. Still, we drive cars and know how to fix your own car can save you $$. I've worked on my own cars for years so i can attest to that. Good luck with what ever decision he makes.

[JantzenOKC]

7:00am to 6:30pm M-F
7:00am to 2:00pm Sat

Living the dream!!!

Seriously though, I also started pushing a broom at a locally owned Goodyear store 18 years ago. I'm still working at the same store today. Never went to any trade school or anything. I watched and learned from the mechanics that were here. It has been a good career, I do make good money for a grease monkey. Tools are expensive and there are always new ones to buy. I've spent $100-$150/week on tools for the last 15 years or so. I've probably bought $100,000 in tools including my toolbox.

Is it a good career and do I make a decent living? Yes. Would I want my daughter to follow in my footsteps? No. I hope she has a better job and makes more money and works less hours with less stress.

[Tenring]

Yes he has already started seeing how much tools cost and where all his money is going. But he just loves his job, took him out tonight to ..... what else (look at tools). When we stopped to eat, he said to me I would not want to work in a food place like this. All the teen age kids standing around with nothing to do except chating, he said I would rather be busy. He did work at Subway for awhile and told me he hated working there and will never work in the food industry again...... Lol

His love of tools has reminded me of how excited I used to get buying new tools when I was working with my hands. Thanks for everyone for the replies and pm's.

[Superman09]

Starting out look into the big tool company school programs. I know snap-on does different sets for different schools and still lets ya pay it out overtime. And while some guys swear by strap-on in my opinion your paying for the name. I have an assortment of tools in my collection ranging from harbor freight to brown & Sharpe. I try to stay away from harbor freight cause you get what you pay for but among the big guys there really isn't much difference in my opinion. Also Craigslist is a great place to find deals on tools

Sent from my campfire using smoke signals

[Tenring]

Originally Posted by Superman09

Starting out look into the big tool company school programs. I know snap-on does different sets for different schools and still lets ya pay it out overtime.

Thanks - through his High School he is taking auto shop and has signed up for programs with Snap-on and Sears (Craftsman). They have very good discounts for students, in fact we spent a good few hours in Sears tonight (didn't buy anything) what a great evening spent with my Son

[Taco Time]

Is he set on UTI or is he looking at other places? School of Automotive Machinists. www.samracing.com If he's interested in working at a performance shop I'd go there.

Guy I work with, his son just graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and just got a job for GM. If you think he's as smart as you say, what about a mechanical engineering degree?

[Tenring]

Originally Posted by Taco Time

Is he set on UTI or is he looking at other places? School of Automotive Machinists. www.samracing.com If he's interested in working at a performance shop I'd go there.

Guy I work with, his son just graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and just got a job for GM. If you think he's as smart as you say, what about a mechanical engineering degree?

Thanks - Nothing is set yet, we are still discussing it, but he is leaning to UTI. We went yesterday afternoon and did a tour, I have to admit I was impressed with their setup. They showed him some of the 5 - 600 rwh cars and his jaw was on the ground....

A Mech Eng Degree is what I am talking to him about. But ultimately he will make the final decision. We will look into samracing and see what he thinks.

Thanks again!

[rebelyell22]

If he wants to be a mechanic, look into him being an aviation maintenance technician. More money, by far, in that field.

[Taco Time]

Originally Posted by Tenring

Thanks - Nothing is set yet, we are still discussing it, but he is leaning to UTI. We went yesterday afternoon and did a tour, I have to admit I was impressed with their setup. They showed him some of the 5 - 600 rwh cars and his jaw was on the ground....

A Mech Eng Degree is what I am talking to him about. But ultimately he will make the final decision. We will look into samracing and see what he thinks.

Thanks again!

Good luck with it all. What Rebel recommended would be pretty sweet too!