MitsuStyle - Schooling

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pkron05 (Post 406147)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkron05 (Post 406147)

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.

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.

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.

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

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