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I’ll relay my experience on here; take it as you will. I’ve been in and out of this industry for 8 years…I’ve worked in utilities, grocery, manufacturing and then I come back to automotive. I’ve never held a job longer than a year and this last job as a helper/lube tech I got fired from. I have 6 ASE’s and don’t know what to do anymore. I’m in Houston, work is steady here. I have a knee that will need medical attention if it doesn’t heal; due to alignments and racking cars.
Newbies should know that you have to LOVE cars to be successful in this industry whether it’s changing parts or diagnosing. I love diagnosing but I hate changing the parts; parts changing is so boring. I’ve lost my interest and am burned out working on cars; I’ve spent so much time and money into this trade I will never get back. I used to make good money for a couple months but dreaded every minute of it. Politics and greed inside this industry left a bitter taste in my mouth; I hope some of you have a better experience. I’ve gained a real interest in electrical and love drive-ability but unfortunately you can’t just make money diagnosing. I wish I could love this trade again but I don’t know how. LOL soap opera…fail!
real world is better but school does offer some credentials and shows ‘initiative’. Take a look at Penn Foster’s online career school. I use them; it’s cheap and fits into my schedule. I’m taking both their automotive and heavy duty diesel programs.
Well much obliged; I’m glad I’m not the only one in the boat. I guess I’d rather be up shit creek rather than in it. I envy you for sitting in on any government charade. I wouldn’t even be able to work at the post office due to their lack of organizational skills delivering mail.
On a positive note I just passed A5 this morning woot! I’ve considered going into business for myself for years but financial obligations have hindered that notion. Although this year is looking up, perhaps I’ll register my DBA finally.
I’ll share my experience. I’ve been a lube tech at 3-4 different shops. I’m almost eligible for certification (5 months shy). I’m 29 and I currently work in a grocery store slicing meat/cheese.
“Being taken advantage of” means shit to a lot of shop managers. The phrase is more “How much money can be saved?” Like the previous posts it is a double edge sword. The only way to learn is to start small and take the hourly pay like a man. Some places are better to work at than others. YOU have to decide where to draw the line when it comes to being taken advantage of. The last shop I was at, I was told I was pulling in more hours than the mechanics, was paired up with the most knowledgeable mechanic in the shop and our bays were packed almost every day. oil changes, to head gaskets, to diagnostic work, to a/c work, brake jobs, engine replacements, transmission removals…it’s all a learning curve. Everyone has their breaking point and I guess I finally reached mine. By the end of my 7 month journey, I couldn’t sleep at night and hated every minute of being up there so I quit and am working at my old job in the grocery store.
So I guess I’m a failure; but who gives a shit. I’m currently trying to find a new place to get my 5 months and move on in this career. I hope this is inspiring lol.
getting your foot in the door in this industry is easy. just search around for lube tech positions and you may have to just walk in some places and ask for an application. Don’t lie either, if you only know how to change oil, then that’s what you say. Not to be the pessimist but think twice about pursuing a career in this industry. You better absolutely love cars and like new challenges. If you don’t love cars you’ll be stuck like me. :cheer:
getting your foot in the door in this industry is easy. just search around for lube tech positions and you may have to just walk in some places and ask for an application. Don’t lie either, if you only know how to change oil, then that’s what you say. Not to be the pessimist but think twice about pursuing a career in this industry. You better absolutely love cars and like new challenges. If you don’t love cars you’ll be stuck like me. :cheer:
specifically alignments and suspension work. I’d rather do 40 oil changes than 1 alignment. What I really despise is the amount of cheap labor my boss thinks he can get out of me.
specifically alignments and suspension work. I’d rather do 40 oil changes than 1 alignment. What I really despise is the amount of cheap labor my boss thinks he can get out of me.
I’m a lube tech at a mom/pop deal and I only get paid $10.75/hr. I do oil changes, flushes, brake jobs, cooling system repairs (water pumps radiators), alignments, shocks/struts, engine repair including (valve cover gaskets, spark plugs etc). I’ve been there 7 months and I don’t get any flag pay for any repair work. The paycheck isn’t paying the bills. Think I should just hold out and hope for the best or start looking elsewhere? I feel like I’m just cheap labor.
I’m a lube tech at a mom/pop deal and I only get paid $10.75/hr. I do oil changes, flushes, brake jobs, cooling system repairs (water pumps radiators), alignments, shocks/struts, engine repair including (valve cover gaskets, spark plugs etc). I’ve been there 7 months and I don’t get any flag pay for any repair work. The paycheck isn’t paying the bills. Think I should just hold out and hope for the best or start looking elsewhere? I feel like I’m just cheap labor.
either or neither. get experience as apprentice, helper or etc. My first auto job was at walmart doing oil changes and tires. That experience gave me opportunity to break into better jobs and more experience. if you can go to school and work at the same time that’s the best bet in my opinion.
either or neither. get experience as apprentice, helper or etc. My first auto job was at walmart doing oil changes and tires. That experience gave me opportunity to break into better jobs and more experience. if you can go to school and work at the same time that’s the best bet in my opinion.
that’s awesome you got hired on as a diesel apprentice; I’m taking diesel and hope to break into that eventually. Like said above, good attitude, leave your ego at the door and show up to work physically and mentally. Check ebay for used or vintage snap on, matco etc. You’ll still dish out some cash but I’ve saved hundreds of dollars buying older snap on ratchets and sockets versus new ones. I’ve known mechanics who had $10k + in debt to the snap on guy; bad situation.
Employers hire you because they see you as a potential investment to the company; being mentally prepared every day to not just ‘do’ the work but to ‘learn’ the work while doing it is what employers expect of you. Learning how the industry functions; customer interaction, work orders, etc. is the name of the game.
If you really enjoy what you do most of this will not be a concern and come fairly easy.
