which college to choose - Page 2

**Halon** · 07-22-2014

Sorry don't mean to ramble haha. School just a fun topic for me right now since I'm about to start, so I love to talk about it and share what I've found

FWIW - Here's the program I'm starting. Basically the same as the Automated/Robotics one I linked earlier, just at night.

http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...rial-controls/

Then once I finish that, if I still have energy left to get a BS, I'll either go into their Engineering related BS, or their Business related BS.
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...ng-technology/
http://www.dunwoody.edu/applied-mana...letion-degree/

One thing to think about if you think you want your BS someday, a lot of employers offer tuition reimbursement programs. So you can get your AS, work there for awhile and once you think you know what direction you'd like to go in the future, get them to basically pay for your BS. Really good way to save money!

**Halon** · 07-22-2014

http://jobs.westinghousenuclear.com/...607-jf557-coUS

We have 3 open positions right now for technician type jobs it looks like. A robotics or electrical technician type of degree would be all you need. Guarantee those all start at at least $40k starting, probably more. The field service ones, turn into more like $70-$80k with all the travel.

And that's just us...

tehehodi · 07-22-2014

Pharmacist.

Don't chase money, do what you like and money will follow. Best advise I've ever received.

dsmDolney · 07-22-2014

Were they travel to do you know ? Like outa state obviously

**Halon** · 07-22-2014

My company? So far I've been to these places with this company:

Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Korea, Spain, Red Wing (road trip!) Nebraska, Plymouth (like the rock)... Probably forgetting some.

So yeah, it's global. Lots of business in China. Potentially a lot in UAE and India. Lots of places in Europe, South Africa, Mexico. Pretty much anywhere there is Nuclear Power or the potential for building new Nuclear Power Plants.

**Halon** · 07-22-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehehodi

Pharmacist.

Don't chase money, do what you like and money will follow. Best advise I've ever received.

I don't know why, but that reminded me of this article haha

http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-ge...e-unhappy.html

dsmDolney · 07-22-2014

But you obviously dont have to travel if you choose not to is that correct ?

**Halon** · 07-22-2014

Well for the Field Service job at this company, yes travel is required, that's what the "field" stands for, working in the field (at the site).

But either way, just meant to be an example of how skilled technician jobs are in demand, so a technician type of degree is a good field to get into in my opinion, and keeps you in a 'hands-on' type of roll.

DSMINMN · 07-22-2014

How has no one mentioned NTC yet? Northwest Technical college has nearly everything you can think on as far as automotive goes. The even get into nursing, carpentry, HVAC and more. They are going to be a quarter of the cost of any big name (Wyotech, UTI..).

I found them and instantly dropped Wyotech as even an option. I can get you my instructor Paul's number if you're interesting in engine machining. That or the website can point you in the right direction.

dsmDolney · 07-22-2014

Engine machining sounds like it would be kinda fun ha. Ill look into all that robotics shit and drafting and just stuff in that feild for sure

Alpha D · 07-22-2014

DO NOT GO TO UTI!

Personally i am a Dunwoody college of technology graduate...and even though i landed a job in the field i went to school for, if i could do it all over again i would not spend more then 15k on any degree other then a bachelors at minimum. I would not do Automotive formally either. Try hard to stick with a none private school. UTI, Dunwoody, wyotech...ect ect you are paying half your tuition for the name...no matter what school you go to no piece of paper will do you as much good as hard work, self application, and industry experience.

**Halon** · 07-22-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha D

DO NOT GO TO UTI!

Personally i am a Dunwoody college of technology graduate...and even though i landed a job in the field i went to school for, if i could do it all over again i would not spend more then 15k on any degree other then a bachelors at minimum. I would not do Automotive formally either. Try hard to stick with a none private school. UTI, Dunwoody, wyotech...ect ect you are paying half your tuition for the name...no matter what school you go to no piece of paper will do you as much good as hard work, self application, and industry experience.

Agree completely. Private schools are spendy and probably not worth the extra cost most of the time. I'm just using Dunwoody as an example because that's where I'm going, and it's 100% free for me so the cost is no nevermind for me. If I was paying out of pocket, I'd be looking at places like Anoka Tech or Henn Tech. You can go to the Henn Tech robotics program, and I bet it's less than half the cost of Dunwoody, and it's a MNSCU school so that's nice if you ever consider going to a different school and want to transfer credits.

s1ngletracker · 07-22-2014

I will chime in and say a tech school degree is not the same as a 4 year degree; you're looking at a starting salary of maybe 30-40k as compared to 50-70k (depending highly on your field, but i'm thinking the engineering/manufacturing world)

Not all 4 year degrees are created equal, either... it's easier to get a job coming from a good school. However, that is a minor concern to many people. Just don't get a 4 year degree from a for-profit university (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For-profit_education)

However, a 4 year degree in liberal arts is pretty worthless. Get a degree with a very specific end career goal.

You can get to the same level as someone with a 4 year degree, but you have anywhere from a 5-10 year handicap on getting there (and in some cases longer or it doesn't happen)

I just finished my second 4-year degree and i'm planning a masters before too long. To me, the money spent on the (yes, fcuked up and overpriced) educational system is still worth a lot more than say, a brand new EVO X and always will be.

tehehodi · 07-22-2014

Any state community/tech college has a automotive program and all that jazz. And they are cheap to attend compared to other schools. Personally, dibble-dabble in some places you think you'd want to work and see if you really like it before going to school for it. Otherwise you'd be spending buttloads of money for nothing and switching majors constantly.

AJ · 07-22-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1ngletracker

Not all 4 year degrees are created equal, either... it's easier to get a job coming from a good school. However, that is a minor concern to many people. Just don't get a 4 year degree from a for-profit university (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For-profit_education)

This is the only item I don't agree with. There is some negativity on these schools but it's laregy due to the students themselves. I'm a couple courses away from my MBA via Keller and I've had the opportunity to work directly with professors who have held key positions in the field taught at many fortune 100 companies. I've seen a lot of people in classes who pay their money and will never progress beyond where they are at. It's sad, but it's true. These schools provide opportunities (especially with the online and onsite flexibility) that traditional schools are just now starting to. In the end it's all about what the student does with the info they have the opportunity to learn. So many people expect shit with a degree, fuck that, go earn it.

typeRA · 07-22-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

Regarding education...the formal 4-year university education system in this country is royally fucked right now. It is way too expensive and you'll rack up more debt that it's worth. I'd suggest sticking with a trade-type school, which it sounds like you're already on that path with UTI so stick with it.

do you also buy alex jones's water filters?

Get a degree from a reputable university, and sit back and enjoy the ride

dsmDolney · 07-22-2014

I will most likely just attend anoka tech for something other than automotive. Dont know what exsactly yet but i will figure it out sometime.

Fejery4491 · 07-22-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeRA

do you also buy alex jones's water filters?

Get a degree from a reputable university, and sit back and enjoy the ride

Unemployment rates for those with 4 year degrees is almost double that of someone with a 2 year tech school degree. Meanwhile your average 4 year degree will have 3x the tution of those going to a tech school. Median pay between the two is surprisingly simular too.

typeRA · 07-22-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fejery4491

Unemployment rates for those with 4 year degrees is almost double that of someone with a 2 year tech school degree. Meanwhile your average 4 year degree will have 3x the tution of those going to a tech school. Median pay between the two is surprisingly simular too.

those statistics are flawed for many reasons. A solid two are the fact that some people go for the academic enlightenment(aka the purpose of higher ed), and some majors are just stupid. You won't find "useless" majors at a tech school. The purpose of a tech is to make producers in a population, not invigorate intellectual innovation.

Comparing salaries is apples to basketballs. Positions are a good difference to discuss when describing starting pay. I'd rather have a cushy office chair job for 20 years than destroy my body and sanity wrenching.

I study cognitive neuroscience. I also happen to hold certs in the pharma/food stainless process piping field. Without a day in a trade school. Honestly, if anyone out of highschool wants a rec to a stainless company that can make your 92k starting working across the country, I'd be happy to give referrals.

tal-evo · 07-22-2014

I go to SMSU in Marshall. Love it, but we don't do cars.