I was just wondering if any of you guys on this board are mechanics and hows the living conditions are like. Im in college and dont really know where im going with it lol all I know is that I like workin on cars and I hate math haha but anyways I hear that some mechanics get treated like crap, dont make lots of money, or cant find work, is this true? any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I'm not a mechanic, but this should help - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos181.htm

Don't be afraid of math, its not that bad.

Im a mechanic. But I will never lose my job unless one of the following happens ( DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY, and new soldiers coming in.) Ive noticed that with the people that are joining my section are total douche bags so Im going to have to do a lot of work this deployment. Some of these guys will be pulling guard duty or stupid details. But thats the life of the army. I hope they volunteer for this stuff cause I hate picking people to do it.

Opps my fault got a little carried away.

ORIGINAL: nyorkrider
I was just wondering if any of you guys on this board are mechanics and hows the living conditions are like. Im in college and dont really know where im going with it lol all I know is that I like workin on cars and I hate math haha but anyways I hear that some mechanics get treated like crap, dont make lots of money, or cant find work, is this true? any input would be greatly appreciated.

I am not a mechanic, but my guess would be that if you are a good mechanic and also know how to run a business, you will do fine. Nonetheless, my recommendation is that you work hard in college and get your degree. Success in college depends on choosing a major/subject that interests you. After you have your degree, then decide whether you want a career as a mechanic or something else. Regardless of your chosen career, you can still enjoy working on your car.

I'm sure the living conditions/wages/etc are a little better when you go to school to be a mechanic and get your ASE certification;)

ORIGINAL: reaper2022

I'm sure the living conditions/wages/etc are a little better when you go to school to be a mechanic and get your ASE certification;)


yea thats what I was planning on doing, Im currently working on a degree for buisness but I was thinking about changing over and getting a degree in automotive mechanics because of the what intrests me most part

I was going to schoool to an automotive technician. But decided to drop out and go to a four year college instead. From my experiences, mechanics can get paid a LOT, or they can get paid verylittle, it's all dependant on how good you can diagnose a problem and fix it within the flat rate time. These days its all about electronics, there is a huge need for tech's that know and understand the electrical side of vehicles. Most new vehicles have multiple computers in them, not just 1 or 2, but upwards of 15 modules. To be honest... all the other classes I took were cake compared to my electrical classes. So, with that being said, if you like to do electrical work... you'll probably be a successfull technician who gets paid decently. I believe the average starting out is $30k a year? Not positive on that.

Also, I think that "mechanics" are treated a little different from everyone else. BUT, there is no such thing as a mechanic anymore, you would be considered a "Technician," because of the advanced electrical systems. I would be proud to be a technician. I love to work on cars. I just think that I would be happier doing something else, like engineering.

i have a buddy who's got his Class A licence, he quit working at the dealership, he's a real good mech. he quit there because flat rate sucks, only the brown nosers get the good jobs, it's sore on your body as well turning wrenches all day. he's now going towards his electrical licence. he still does side job cash cash deals, prefers that then working at the dealership.

You can make good money as a mechanic, if you can kick your ass every day. If you don't think you can do that, it's not going to be for you.

im a tech fora rather large Toyota dealership and i'm taking the T-TEN co-op program. its a Toyota Technician training program at a local community college in which i also get my associates degree(taking all the reg classes like math, science, etc). we do 2 trimester, class full time for about 2 months and then work full time, then class, etc for 2 years.when finished ill have the degree, also be Toyota certified and ill have a few ASE tests done since its a requirement. its a sh*t ton better than any trade school like Lincoln Tech. i've talked to many techs that has done schools like that and say its a huge waste of money. so far myself and my class mates are enjoying the program and think its well worth it.

if you can, find a specific program like Toyota, Honda, Ford, etc...it'll pretty much guarantee u a stable, well paying job if ur good and happy with what u do.

which is another thing. this kinda job you HAVE to enjoy doing. u wont make it at all if u cant deal with the pressure and aches. when i first started the Toyota program, we had about 30 students in the class. after the first semester was over and the second semester started, only about 15 came back to class, rest dropped out. its truely a love it or hate it career.

some places do treat techs like crap, others really do watch out for each other. luckily the 2 dealership i've worked for have been great to me. never give me any hassel. as for money, most techs get paid flat rate. that can be a good thing or a bad thing. if u get ur work done fast and u work in a busy place, u can make a sh*t ton of money fast. if ur slow, mess up or dont get much work coming thru ur shop, u'll struggle. as for finding a job, its pretty easy. tons of dealerships and shops around, always gena be cars on the road so u'll have a job.

right now, im happy with what im doing but this is only temporary. i don't want to be a tech at some dealership or other shop for my career. its ok but not really what i want to do. once im finished the program, ill be going to another school in cali that trains professional race car drivers and race car mechanics. thats really what i want to do, some suspension R&D and/or testing for F1 or GT cars.