Auto tech schools

[87anger]

I am wanting to go to an auto tech school but am not sure which one. Im curious which schools you guys have gone to/researched. I have looked into UTI and Wyotech. Uti seems to be more industry based while Wyotech seems to be more about custom fab and other options. I would like to do custom work like fab, aftermarket parts stuff like that instead of fixing stock crap. But at the same time I dont want to work at some pos shop that pays like crap. I need the $$$ for the truck. So I am torn as to which path to take. What schools you guys know of that are good? My biggest problem with this dream is I have to pay for it myself

 

[swynx]

i posted about this exact same thing a few times, its always a mixed discussion besides the fact that everyone agrees uti sucks. i havent heard good or bad things about wyotech, but google ratings says its bad.

i suggest just going to your local college for 2 years.

 

[88_Eddie]

i wouldnt mess with either 2 of them personally. go to a community college and get either a 2 or 4 year degree. nobody cares where you have a degree from or what it's in (unless you're a doctor or dentist or some shit like that) as long as you have one. or, go get yourself a job at a fab place and learn on the job, experience (these days) seems to be more sought after than degrees.

 

[2813josh]

I went to UTI...met some cool people,had some fun and even learned some stuff. BUT definitely not worth it. When I went to look for a job nobody cared where I went to school...all they care about is experience. Now here I am years later still with over 20k in school debt all for shit.
You can learn a lot there,but there is no replacement for experience. I agree with Eddie,go to a community college. Try to get some experience at a small shop that is willing to train and go from there.

 

[swynx]

tbh the only reason i ever considerd these tech schools is because they have short degree offerings, and no bs classes like english and stuff, plus they offer like welding and specialty courses.. are they any good? who knows. the schools are extremely expensive, and after you leave you still dont have a tool chest to bring with you to the next job. but after all jessie combs, went to wyotech and look where she is.

i believe its jessie combs im thinking of?

 

[88_Eddie]

tbh the only reason i ever considerd these tech schools is because they have short degree offerings, and no bs classes like english and stuff, plus they offer like welding and specialty courses.. are they any good? who knows. the schools are extremely expensive, and after you leave you still dont have a tool chest to bring with you to the next job. but after all jessie combs, went to wyotech and look where she is.

i believe its jessie combs im thinking of?

you can do all that stuff at a CC. i went to a 4 year university, but i took classes at a CC during the summer. the CC classes were $250 a piece. so a grand for an entire semester if you took 4 classes (not counting books).

just because jessie combs has turned out successful doesnt mean everyone that goes there will. i think her success has more to do with her being good at all the fab stuff along with having a set of titties....it's rare in that business. kinda like danica patrick and racing.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Pick what you REALLY like doing and it won't matter how much you make. And after a while you'll be really good at what you do and the money will be there. Working for a bunch of different shops is good experience because no one place does it all.

Richard

 

[Brandon Nootenboom]

I had a stit down talk with a Wyotech rep when I had been looking at going into collision and I wasn't too impressed. Sure the school is big and flashy but I don't see how anyone can absorb that much information in a 9 month period (give or take depending on what you're taking). Plus tuition was $27,000 not including housing and tools. I started looking more local at tech schools and community colleges and found that not only are they 1/3 the price but you still have time to work and actually have time to absorb the information given. Plus the shops and dealerships I've talked to said the people that have gone to schools like UTI know considerably less than people that have gone to the local schools.

 

[87anger]

Okay wow this thread took off! Thanks guys. Heres the deal. My local community college (great basin) is tiny as hell. The high school is over 10x the size. And the only thing they offer as far as automotive is a crappy deisel class that my freind took and didnt learn a thing. So you talk about tech schools what kind are there and where. Im near the vegas area. If I dont go to tech school where should I start? just go to random shops and ask around?

 

[WNY964x4]

If you dont have a good local school to go to (I live about 75 miles from one of the top Automotive Schools in the US , and I have 3 Degrees from there and my first job out of College I am making just over $17 an hour with full benefits) , then look in the local craigslist under general labor or skilled trade and see what shops are hiring , go there and see if they will hire you and teach you the ropes , you wont start out making much but there is alot to learn

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

An apprenticing position could be a great start as YOU get PAID to learn. There are definitely places that I wouldn't work at though, make sure that you aren't put down, everybody in the shop should be treated with respect including yourself. If you don't like the first place try another and even a third if you have to. Being a top of the line mechanic doesn't make you a top of the line teacher. And being a willing student doesn't necessarily make you teachable, some people should just try another line of work.
Good luck,

Richard