This is'nt for anything specific, but I would just like to point out the amount of support and help that I get form everyone here. where I live in Michigan there are plenty of mechanics who know me and respect my enthusiasm and knowledge for automobiles. I have come a long way from just installing car stereos when I was sixteen. I honestly didnt know a ratchet from ball-peen hammer four years ago. But the last few years have been incredible, and I owe it all to my maverick. I have learned so much from that car and every other car that I work on. I have gained so much respect from my family and friends, to the piont where I almost have two jobs a week fixing someones car for them. I dont know where I will end up, but I know that this obsession for cars is only getting bigger. Anyway, I am glad that I joined this forum. I really feel like I'm part of something. And we all have one thing in common.......we love Mavericks! None of my buddies know anything about cars so I dont really have anyone to relate to. but It's really nice to come home and chat with everyone here. I'm not going to ramble on but I hope I can make it to the roundup, if not this year than the following year. Right now I am trying to get a job as mechanic, but it's rough. Employers see my age and that I've only worked with food and say "well keep you on file" All I need is for someone to give me chance, and I will prove my worth the first day of work. I know eventually something will come out of this. but it's very frusting to know that I have great skills but nowhere to use them except at home. thanks for listening. Adam
Adam Go for the chain tire stores or lube racks. The work is not what you want to be doing, but it's the way pretty much everyone breaks in the automotive industry. Do that for a year or so and take some automotive classes at your local tech school. Next thing you know, you'll be fixing people's blown up piles 'o junk to your hearts content. Good luck,
I agree with Ray, I have been taking a few classes at technical college and a lot of students there have been hired at Goodyear Tire Centers and places like that to do oil changes, brake jobs, tires etc. A lot of students after getting a little experience and take a few classes often get jobs at the car dealerships or other garages doing the same thing and as their experience grows so do their responsibilities. If I were you, that is where I would start; and like Ray said take some classes at the local technical college. With every class you take you can then take the corresponding ASE test and start to get your accreditations. Good luck!
My son has been accepted in Chrysler's dealer technician training program. It is a 2 year program with work study at a dealership along with classroom training. At the end of the program, you have a job with potential to make in excess of $60000/year after the 1st year when you go on flat rate. There are programs in areas across the country sponsored by each of the Big-3 automakers. Here, it is at Community College of Allegheny County. The tuition is cheap, $5000 for the entire program with a big break on the mandatory tools needed from Snap-On. It may be something to look into. Incidentally, there are in excess of 40,000 job openings for dealer trained technicians across the country.
I agree with Wes. You need to have modern engine control, drive train and all the other basics or a dealer won't be interested in much more than cleanup jobs etc. Having that provable diploma means more than experience to an employer. They will hire on just that basis even if you have never 'worked' anywhere. Just the way things are. There are a lot of reasons for this, that I won't take time for, unless you want to know some of them.
Thanks, Ken. A couple of really neat points about this dealer program is that you have to get sponsored by a dealer who agrees to hire you for the work study, which you get paid for your time, and also hires you full time when the program is done as long as you complete it satisfactorily. Most of them do especially now as there are so many openings everywhere. You also end up with an associate's degree which is half way to a bachelor's. You already have a feel for how the dealership works when you're done because you have been there part time for the previous two years. You are hourly for the first year full time and get put on flat rate the second. that's wher the big money is made as long as you are willing to put in the effort. For those who aren't familiar with what flat rate is, each repair job has an estimated completuion time attached to it when a tech is assigned to fix a particular car. For example, say you get a brake repair that the book sayd should take 3 hours to complete. If you finish it in 2, you still get paid for 3 and move on to the next. However, if you drag your butt and take 4, you still only get paid for 3. It is not too uncommon in some parts of the country for a dealer tech who isn't afraid to work hard and has some experience to make up to $100,000/year! Also, as you gain a reputation while you are employed, dealerships have a "good ol' boy's network" that they know who works where and how good they are. Stealing away techs from one dealer to another for more money, perks, etc. is very common. It doesn't matter which program with any of the Big-3 you choose. They all work pretty much the same.
All very good Ideas. I'm starting college this fall at NMU. I 'm going to take some automotive courses, but I'm not sure which ones yet. we have a really good auto program here. also a good aviation program. alot of people are telling me that aviation is the way to go.
Adam, We're all behind you here and support your enthusiasm. Good luck in finding what you want. (BTW, I'm still scratching my head over your "vibration" post - http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3367 ) Rick
No ideas huh? the worst thing I can think of is a bearing or something but Ive never delt with anything like this before.
