I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

[The_Beast]

Well, as the title says, I'm thinking about becoming a mechanic. I have a few questions though that hopefully you guys can help me out with.

First of all, how many professional mechanics are on here? Do you like your jobs and would you recommend that career path? Over the last year or so, especially the last few months, I've realized that I have a true passion for cars and taking them apart; finding out how they work and stuff. What I'm worried about is that this IS my hobby, and I'm scared of burning out on it. Does anyone have any experience or any tips about that?

And last of all, the pay. I know that pay is different in different areas, but can anyone give me some rough estimates with a 2 year certificate and also a 4 year degree?

[Niko97RS]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

every mechanic i talk to loves it for like a year then gets sick of doing oil changes and brakes all the time

they also hate dealing with crabby customers and such

idk i wouldnt mind becoming one either

[Smoke Panther]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

Over the last year or so, especially the last few months, I've realized that I have a true passion for cars and taking them apart; finding out how they work and stuff. What I'm worried about is that this IS my hobby, and I'm scared of burning out on it. Does anyone have any experience or any tips about that?

If you're looking for experiences like that, you may want to become an automotive engineer...being a mechanic gets very mundane and repetitive reletively quick, and you also have to deal with know-it-all customers that can't tell their @$$ from a muffler

[The_Beast]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

If you're looking for experiences like that, you may want to become an automotive engineer...being a mechanic gets very mundane and repetitive reletively quick, and you also have to deal with know-it-all customers that can't tell their @$$ from a muffler

Is an engineer the one that goes to UTI or a big school like that? My auto teacher was really pushing that on us when I was in auto, but they're so expensive! Maybe I'll check it out...

[StrtRacer98]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

Is an engineer the one that goes to UTI or a big school like that? My auto teacher was really pushing that on us when I was in auto, but they're so expensive! Maybe I'll check it out...

No, its not the same.

But if you went to a school like UTI, it would probably cost you around 20-25k dollars for a 1.5 year long program, rather than taking 4 years at a college that will most likely cost you more and take alot longer.

[steven23]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

and you also have to deal with know-it-all customers that can't tell their @$$ from a muffler

Or deal with a know-it-all A-hole mechanic who tries to tell you that you have a timing issue when you know its a bad fuel injector and then charges you damn near $500 for it and still doesnt fix the issue. You then get fed up and pay $130 for a new set of mopar injectors,install them yourself and fix the problem. Sometimes the customer does know what they are talking about. Not all shops are that way though.....

But I agree with you panther,alot of people who know nothing try to educate the mechanic which is quite amusing.

I've been wanting to go to school to become a mechanic cause I love cars more than woman but I've talked to alot of mechanics who say it does get old really fast. Very repetative and dirty is what they've told me. I think I'd do it just to learn all I could about cars in general so I could master my own machines but I probably wouldnt do it for a living unless you really enjoy doing whats already been said in this post lol.

Peace :cool: . BTW Happy 4th everyone! ;) (stay safe to)

[Oi Bird V8]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

thats what i plan on doing with my life...ive wanted to since i was little...

[bah]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

<< truck mechanic for the summer, i like it, going to purdue in the fall for ME

[kala]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

If I wasn't in the med field, I would be a mechanical engineer. You're really young so don't go for any shortcuts. Study harder and become someone. Don't settle for a mechanic if you can be an engineer or something bigger. You could be the next CEO of GM, who knows!



:)

[CHEVYINSIDE]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

I 'm a full time mechanic , But i work in kinf of a diffrent area than just cars . I work for a landscape & golf course construction company . I can work on anyrthing from a 2 stroke weedwacker to a full size excavater . I go on rad service calls and on site services . It is allways intresting . It's good pay and i've been doin it for 5 yaers now . pay isnt that bad , around $50 g's
no real training for it though .

[The_Beast]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

If I wasn't in the med field, I would be a mechanical engineer. You're really young so don't go for any shortcuts. Study harder and become someone. Don't settle for a mechanic if you can be an engineer or something bigger. You could be the next CEO of GM, who knows!



:)

Oh how I wish this was true. I'm only 18, but the problem is I knocked up my girlfriend. The baby isn't the problem, we love each other and we're both looking forward to it and all, its just bad timing, ya know? A mechanic would be sort of a quick fix for money, as I can get the certificate pretty quick. This engineer idea is really starting to appeal to me though. I figure I might be able to do online classes while I work full time and that way be able to support my family for now and for the future.
And thanks for all your help guys, its very much appreciated.

[mloaks]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

[QUOTE=steven23]Or deal with a know-it-all A-hole mechanic who tries to tell you .... Sometimes the customer does know what they are talking about.
I've been wanting to go to school to become a mechanic cause I love cars more than woman but I've talked to alot of mechanics who say it does get old really fast. Very repetative and dirty is what they've told me. I think I'd do it just to learn all I could about cars in general so I could master my own machines but I probably wouldnt do it for a living unless you really enjoy doing whats already been said in this post lol.

Peace QUOTE]

Well put on all points.
Good skill for the enthusiast on a budget.
If you specialize in ECUs and such, that might be lucrative...

[skorpion317]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

I went to Lincoln Tech to become a technician. Unless you're a mechanical genius, when you leave the tech school, you'll be starting off at the bottom at a dealership or someplace similar. You'll be making very little money, and you'll be doing the same basic stuff over and over again - oil changes, brake pads, tire rotations, etc. Not fun. You'll probably have to wait a few years before you can move up and take on more challenging repairs. You won't make any serious money until you're a "B" or an "A" tech.

Or, you could skip all that, and get an office job in the automotive field. Technical training will get your feet in the door, and you won't have to break your back sitting behind a desk. I worked as a tech for about a year or so, and it sucked. I was making $9/hour, doing nothing but minor repairs and new car prep. I would've had to wait nearly 3 or 4 years before I would be able to be a "C" tech. I saw an ad for a position with an aftermarket filter manufacturer, and got a job with them doing inside sales and research and development. After about a year there, I found my current job with Volvo of North America, where I'm a product info specialist - I take calls from every Volvo dealership in the U.S., helping their parts guys get the right parts they need. It's a relatively easy job, and I'm literally making twice what I was making at the dealership I worked at.

Having a goal is a good thing. You also have to have realistic expectations. Being a technician is not exactly a dream job. Plus, with a baby on the way, you're probably going to need a lot more money than what your average repair shop is willing to pay you.

[youngsc]

Re: I'm Thinking about Being a Mechanic...

Sell crack...

Ok really, a mechanic would get kinda boring with all the repitition. A desk job can suck because it gets so mundane. Really you just need to figure out what you really enjoy doing in the auto field and target that specifically, if it's mechanic go after it. Like what was said you'll really have to stand out if you don't want to stay at the bottom.

It's hard to soar with eagles when you work with turkeys.