Backup Plan: It’s Gonna Be Automotive

[Steven]

Hey Eric! Been a really long time since I’ve posted on this forum (had no real automotive issues recently, what do ya know).

I’m a college student majoring in Criminal Justice in preparation for a career in Law Enforcement. However, my goal of actually obtaining this career seems very far away yet (no life experience according to them). So I need a backup plan, and thank god it’s with something else in which have great passion and knowledge. I’m thinking about automotive, a tech, maybe something more, NASCAR engines, machinist, whatever. They all excite me.

In remaining practical though, my question to you is how did you become certified? Like, what path did you take to become ASE certified? I was thinking UTI and Wyotech, but then I read mixed reviews (thanks to that, now my mind is confused). And I heard you’re not actually certified until you get the certificate and have two years work experience in the field. I wonder if dealerships or any other types of shops/garages will hire someone without ACE certificate? But then again, I thought that’s what these places look for………people who are ASE certified. So what the hell? How would you get experience before you can get experience? Seems like an awesome paradox! Anyhow, if you’d like to share your path briefly to certification and employment I would definitely be greatful, since I can’t make up my mind on how to approach this trade. I’m in southern California by the way, if that makes any difference whatsoever.

Thanks for your time Eric!

-Steve

Topic

[Mike]

Even though it’s ‘technically’ uncouth to for non-techs to post in the Technicians Only forum, you should take a look in there at the recent threads that we have made in there that are basically information for new/aspiring techs. A lot of your questions are thoroughly and thoughtfully addressed in a few different threads.

Becoming a tech is attainable for anyone, but working in racing is something you really can only get into if you have the right connections either due to luck or a lot of effort networking. To be a machinist, you would start by going around to shops in your area and asking about being an apprentice. The guy who runs the machine shop across the street from my work would take a guy under his wing like that tomorrow.

I’ve been successful for 10 years, not having ever been ASE certified. I keep considering it, but nobody cares in a foreign car shop. Places that intend to work on domestics tend to be the only places that really make a big deal of it, although there are many of them and Nissan is kind of an oddball import that wants you to have them. The idea of the 2 years thing is that it will take that long working as a lower to mid level to see most of the things that you are tested on. Those tests can be simply studied for and passed by anyone who is good at studying and testing in general, so that experience requirement gives the certification most of its credibility. Speaking of that, many people I’ve interviewed with openly say that they don’t care about it because they’ve seen enough certified guys who are not good.

You have what looks like a Charger as your avatar. Maybe it’s yours and you done a lot of work on it and have a decent set of tools because of it. If that’s the case, that kind of experience (stated with confidence) can be the leverage that convinces someone to let you get your foot in the door as a tech somewhere. It worked for me, but I spent 5 years doing anything and everything to my car while working as a parts guy or steel fabricator before I first walked into a dealership looking to get in.

[Gary]

[quote=”Fopeano” post=124499]Even though it’s ‘technically’ uncouth to for non-techs to post in the Technicians Only forum, you should take a look in there at the recent threads that we have made in there that are basically information for new/aspiring techs. A lot of your questions are thoroughly and thoughtfully addressed in a few different threads.

Becoming a tech is attainable for anyone, but working in racing is something you really can only get into if you have the right connections either due to luck or a lot of effort networking. To be a machinist, you would start by going around to shops in your area and asking about being an apprentice. The guy who runs the machine shop across the street from my work would take a guy under his wing like that tomorrow.

I’ve been successful for 10 years, not having ever been ASE certified. I keep considering it, but nobody cares in a foreign car shop. Places that intend to work on domestics tend to be the only places that really make a big deal of it, although there are many of them and Nissan is kind of an oddball import that wants you to have them. The idea of the 2 years thing is that it will take that long working as a lower to mid level to see most of the things that you are tested on. Those tests can be simply studied for and passed by anyone who is good at studying and testing in general, so that experience requirement gives the certification most of its credibility. Speaking of that, many people I’ve interviewed with openly say that they don’t care about it because they’ve seen enough certified guys who are not good.

You have what looks like a Charger as your avatar. Maybe it’s yours and you done a lot of work on it and have a decent set of tools because of it. If that’s the case, that kind of experience (stated with confidence) can be the leverage that convinces someone to let you get your foot in the door as a tech somewhere. It worked for me, but I spent 5 years doing anything and everything to my car while working as a parts guy or steel fabricator before I first walked into a dealership looking to get in.[/quote] Exactly, and ya ASE does not mean good by any means. ASE was created due to lack of trust in our industry from customers however it is unfair to generalize us all as scumbags 😉

[Steven]

HA! I wish that Charger was mine!!! (too poor). Nah I stole that image from Google unfortunately.

Thank you both for the information! Seems very practical and makes sense to me 100 percent. From different forums I’ve read, I heard a bunch of idiots go to UTI/Wyotech and remain idiots even after they receive their certificate (a lot, not all). Not to say I wouldn’t learn anything new because I’m not an automotive expert by any means. But my main concern was whether all that money for tuition and everything else would be worth the certificate, because money for the education is something I am very cheap about; well….maybe not cheap but you get the idea.

I just wonder how easy it would be to get a job in the automotive industry. I mean, I’ll start wherever I have to start, don’t matter to me. My main passion is engines, V8’s. Obviously you guys can tell I’m a MOPAR freak lol! If it ain’t a 440, it ain’t street!

Machining blocks n whatnot seems cool, since I do know some technical stuff about bore diameter consistency testing, surfacing, compression, leveling tests, valve duration/clearance in relation to all that stuff n more. But really I’d be fine starting as a mechanic (if I can).

My point is, I’m just afraid that if I don’t bite the bullet and get the stupid certificate (along with perhaps some more decent knowledge), then I’d have no chance in getting a position as an auto tech.

If you guys want the honest truth, my passion if anything within the automotive field, is classic car restoration, (ie Boyd Coddington type stuff). If I could restore cars/build hotrods for a living, there ya have it. Although, most of my experience has been with modern vehicles of course. I love the skill of metal work/body work. I’ve always wanted to play around with a torch n a welder (maybe I will someday if I can ever afford them lol).

Anyhow, thanks again for your input guys! I do greatly appreciate it!

-Steve

[Gary]

[quote=”MOTORHEAD_69R/T” post=124533]HA! I wish that Charger was mine!!! (too poor). Nah I stole that image from Google unfortunately.

Thank you both for the information! Seems very practical and makes sense to me 100 percent. From different forums I’ve read, I heard a bunch of idiots go to UTI/Wyotech and remain idiots even after they receive their certificate (a lot, not all). Not to say I wouldn’t learn anything new because I’m not an automotive expert by any means. But my main concern was whether all that money for tuition and everything else would be worth the certificate, because money for the education is something I am very cheap about; well….maybe not cheap but you get the idea.

I just wonder how easy it would be to get a job in the automotive industry. I mean, I’ll start wherever I have to start, don’t matter to me. My main passion is engines, V8’s. Obviously you guys can tell I’m a MOPAR freak lol! If it ain’t a 440, it ain’t street!

Machining blocks n whatnot seems cool, since I do know some technical stuff about bore diameter consistency testing, surfacing, compression, leveling tests, valve duration/clearance in relation to all that stuff n more. But really I’d be fine starting as a mechanic (if I can).

My point is, I’m just afraid that if I don’t bite the bullet and get the stupid certificate (along with perhaps some more decent knowledge), then I’d have no chance in getting a position as an auto tech.

If you guys want the honest truth, my passion if anything within the automotive field, is classic car restoration, (ie Boyd Coddington type stuff). If I could restore cars/build hotrods for a living, there ya have it. Although, most of my experience has been with modern vehicles of course. I love the skill of metal work/body work. I’ve always wanted to play around with a torch n a welder (maybe I will someday if I can ever afford them lol).

Anyhow, thanks again for your input guys! I do greatly appreciate it!

-Steve[/quote] My advice, go to school. You will learn alot and have some credentials. Most shops also like to see you’ve done work on your own, I’ve done everything from modern performance to classic muscle which was great to put on my resume.

[Steven]

Very good point, and very true. I’ve always been a school nerd, I’m 22 and currently attending junior college. I’m done with my major and I’m trying to get into a four year, however I recently discovered upon submitting my application that the campus is not accepting new undergraduate students until 2016 quarters (frickin sucks). This is all for Law Enforcement as well, yet as some may well know, getting into this line of work isn’t exactly the easiest. And having some background to look at will only help me in my future years to come when I go to apply for that line of work. So for now, automotive work should suit me just fine.

I totally agree with you about school, and deep down I really want to go. It’s just the mixed reviews people gave about these schools along with their worth of the certificate kind of made me think a little; also along with the worth of the cost. But when push comes to shove, I’m sure most shops/dealerships will strongly recommend if not require that credential.

I got a call from a UTI person yesterday and I think I can feel comfortable enough to call em back today!

Thanks for your input! Again much appreciated!

-Steve

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