Tech School: Associate or Certificate????

[Ranger44]

I'm planning on going to school for auto mechanics. I know there are a few people on here that are in that area, and want to ask thier opinion about what type of degree I should go for. They offer just a certificate(straight auto mechanics) or associates degree(auto mechanics with english, math, etc). My concern is the extra time, money, and work worth the associates? Would an employer like seeing that I took some of those math and english, etc, and consider my education would be more well rounded? I know most people say that you can't go wrong with more education....but.

 

[projectnitemare]

What is the difference in time and cost? You are right, once completed nobody can take your education away from you. I would go for the degree; that is a thing employers like to see anymore. On something like what you are going for an employer can see you are well rounded and smart enough to be educated not just have a talent for mechanics....not that there is anything wrong with that. If you have the extra time and can afford to go for the degree.

Matt

 

[jgrnot]

Even though it's extra time and money, I'd probably go for the associates. The math is something you might need if you started custom building things. The English would be good for people skills if you were to deal with the public. Some employers are picky these days also. If you and one other guy were applying at the same company, they would probably choose the person with more education.

 

[Mac]

Go for the degree, you will sure get your money's worth out of it.
Dave

 

[97RangerXLT]

Degree. Hands down winner. with a degree you are more likely to be able to work your way up to a management position. After a few years of turning wrenches, you will have the experience from work and smarts from school to be put into a service manager position or a shop manager position. The skills you will need in that go beyond just the mechanical aptitude. Besides, what is one more year of college?

AJ

 

[97BlackBetty]

Definately go for the Associates, im currently at a point in my edcation where i could simply finish my associates and go to work, id make close to 10 grand a month but thats about it. My school highly suggests that cadets get a bachelors in business administration as well. Ive thought long and hard about it, while i would simply like to get my liscense and go sail, my possibilities of working in other fields are so much greater because of the bachelors degree as well.
Justin

 

[Carlos Murphy]

Career

If I were you I would consider training in alternative power plants and fuels. Take a course in electronics, seek out company's that are specializing in such work and find out their requirements for employment.
I was a BMW tech for 33 years, the technology changes sooo fast it's hard to keep up with, so damn many whistles and buzzers and stupid customers complaining their rear wheels go around frontwards.
I would have to go to school in LA from SF once or twice a year and sometimes not for a three year stretch because the were over 20 techs at my dealership.
Also, I find it difficult to see much of a feature for the internal combustion vehicle engine in 10 years due to "al GORE" leading all the tree huggers and blind followers yelling "GLOBAL WARMING"

 

[MAKG]

Aside from what employers want, YOU will be more happy with the AA. Or better yet, an A.B. Then you might be able to anticipate that Carlos is just wrong about climate change and plan your career accordingly. There is a REAL problem there; it is not made up by Al Gore. It has already become very obvious in polar regions; it will only become more so.

Understanding electronics well -- including digital electronics and networking -- is currently exceedingly important in the field. Modern cars have networks similar (but not identical -- in reality, it's closer to the internal networks such as the ones talking to the disks and other peripherals) to the ones your computer uses. And it's the thing that trips up quite a lot of people.

A broad education allows you to adapt your skills as the workplace changes. It makes it easier for you to learn new things. And, quite frankly, takes some of the drudgery out of working life. A person skilled at only one thing is bored.

 

[Ranger44]

Alright...this seems to support my idea about going with the associates. That'll be what I'm going for. Thankyou everyone!! I'll be starting spring semester Jan. 14th!!!