Schooling

[JET]

It sounds like you're looking for mechanic training leading to a dealership/wrenching job. However, if you can handle lower level calulus and want to take a step up on the food chain, I would suggest an Automotive Engineering Technology degree at Minnesota State-Mankato. It combines the hands-on aspect of a mechanic, with the testing and problem solving aspect of an engineer, without the high level math. Plus you wont be far from home.

I was going to recommend the same thing! Great course, they do project cars too which is really fun. I worked on the solar race car team for a while. The class also built some kit car Cobra's and had a formula SAE car and also a fuel mileage challenge car. Cool instructors too. It can get you in to a better job than being a wrench and it is an accredited 4year degree.

[Super Bleeder!!]

It sounds like you're looking for mechanic training leading to a dealership/wrenching job. However, if you can handle lower level calulus and want to take a step up on the food chain, I would suggest an Automotive Engineering Technology degree at Minnesota State-Mankato. It combines the hands-on aspect of a mechanic, with the testing and problem solving aspect of an engineer, without the high level math. Plus you wont be far from home.

I wouldn't recommend that route. When i interviewed at Toro a few weeks ago they were very interested in the fact that i had a mechanical engineering degree because it was needed for the position i was applying for. Then they went a step further and said all of their technicians, the guys who work under the engineers, were graduates from the mankato automotive engineering program. It is a 4 yr degree, but Toro considers it a 4 yr tech degree and not an engineering one.

Just a heads up advice straight from a large company.

Also, whats the point of having the automotive 4yr around here? If you move to Detroit i guess i would understand it, but not here.

[Dalton C]

I like the wrenching, love working on cars, thats why im goin for auto technition, which pretty much means you know how to use all their technology. If i get certified with ford i will know a shit ton from their diesel trucks, hybrids, and full electric cars also. As long as i know enough to get me further down the road ill be happy.

[Dalton C]

Think I've made a decision, I might still go to the UTI visit. But I talked to my instructor and he told me you still get certifications from the dealership. So I figure I'm going to go to school locally. Riverland community college doesn't require you to take generals so I can just do automotive, and I'm going to try to look for a job around here doing lube or sweeping floors or somethin just to get my foot in the door. I maybe I can get some help from them for paying for school (maybe). The thing about going to riverland is I pay for all my own tools and keep them and still can work on my own projects there on the side. It just seems a lot more flexible and will tailor more to specific needs on the individual level.

[mondale]

I really liked Dunwoody, but didn't receive much help via financial aid so I have a decent chunk of loans to chip away at. The school is up to date on their materials and class aids, and has a decent student to teacher ratio after the first semester dropouts. I honestly have not met one UTI/Wyotech grad who has a senior position at a shop. I think in the end, if you really have a desire to learn about the stuff you are studying, you will succeed in what you do. I know a lot of guys who went to smaller tech schools who are very good at what they do and are happy they saved the cash.
Wade

[Dalton C]

Yeah the smaller schools really appeal to me, thanks everyone you've been a great help.