As a WyoTech grad, a Perfect Attendence award winner for 8 phases in a row, and an Outstanding Student Award winner( ok you got me TOOT TOOT) , I think I have enough experience there to tell you that Wyoming Tech's program is about 1 thing--getting you out into the field in as short amount of time as possible. It also is an 8+ hour/day schedule, not 4 hours or less like some other diesel tech schools. Knowing that, a person HAS to know something about the field going in. To not have a fairly good working knowledge of it before you start is not going to be good. Its too fast-paced of a program that "Diesel 101" won't work.
That is their biggest fault--they go over important stuff too quickly at times.

Remember, they are training you to be a diesel technician, not a tranny builder, or an engine builder, or a hydraulic guy. They have to expose you to all the areas relating to the diesel field. Sure, a guy building DDEC 16V149s all day long for Western Geophysical isn't going to give a crap about testing hydraulic flow on a skid-steer, and probably won't care much about how to build a 5th wheel or work on a Thermo-King either, BUT----for 90% of prospective employers, they are hiring someone out of Wyoming Tech knowing that the grad has been given a chance to see all aspects of the industry, not just a couple *fun* parts of it. Plus, most employers who recruit out of Wyoming Tech expect a certain type of person to be going there. They are hiring an individual who went to Wyoming Tech--that alone say something about who the prospective employee is and what they are made of.

I'm not trying to flame on anybody here, please don't take it that way. WyoTech is an awesome diesel school...but only if you understand what you're gonna get before you go there. I agree that the program has some flaws, but if a person has a working knowledge, the desire to not spend 2 years in school, is a fast learner, can apply said knowledge quickly, has a great work ethic, and wants to succeed WyoTech is the only choice. Like KatDiesel said, you're not just getting an education, you're also getting a diploma with Wyoming Technical Institute on it. Trust me, that means as much if not more as what you're learning.

There are only a few really, really good diesel tech schools out there. If you aren't happy at Wyoming Tech, don't waste your time any longer, because its only going to get worse. PLEASE don't take this as me ragging on you, because I'm not. I mean seriously at times WyoTech can hurt a student more than they can help because of the way the program operates. Find a different school and you'll be more comfortable and will excel, graduate, get on with a great oufit and make the BIG $$$$!!!

All that being said, there is NO school out there that teaches you everything--you NEED the experience of working in the real world. I've worked with folks from the sponsored schools who come out thinking they know everything there is to know about Fords, KWs, Cats, John Deeres, whatever.....they don't. Don't let the corporate sponsored schools make you believe the program in general is better. Even if that was true, only a small percentage get the opportunity to apply for those programs, and even fewer get picked. Like I said WAY back, recruiters will tell you anything to meet their admissions quota.

If anyone has specific ?s about Wyoming Tech, feel free to PM or email me, I'll try to help. I really hope to help, not start a fight.

Cheers!! Dan-

 

Why not go work on gas engines/compressors etc? I started out as a heavy duty mechanic and got in to the patch. IMHO it's better than working on some POS stuck in the mud with a piled up final drive or laying under some truck with crap falling in your face. My .002

 

[quote author=DRD link=board=8;threadid=18913;start=30#msg187316 date=1064153844]
Why not go work on gas engines/compressors etc? I started out as a heavy duty mechanic and got in to the patch. IMHO it's better than working on some POS stuck in the mud with a piled up final drive or laying under some truck with crap falling in your face. My .002
[/quote]


true, but when i think of being a gasser/general mechanic, i always think of the smaller shops working on cars from the 80's with a billion problems on them. plus, for me, i understand and can troubleshoot a diesel much easier than a gasser. the only thing i wouldn't mind doing is high performance gassers (yeah, but i'm not great with tuning carbs) or small engine repair.

Tom

 

When I said gas engines I guess I meant natural gas engines, you know, where anything under 3500 Cu/In. is a "nice little engine". I'm not so sure I would want to work on passenger vehicles either.