so im might be out of a job tomarrow.. ive been counting my options. does anyone know any good tech schools on the west coast preferrable sothern california. im tired of making people happy. i want to do somthing that interests me for once.. all i found close is universal technical instituit . seggestions, comments, anything accepted..

thanx

 

UTI is supposed to have a pretty decent industrial diesel program. Have you checked out the campus yet?
http://www.uticorp.com/go/schools/uti/campuses/

 

My son goes to UTI in Fontana California the closest diesel school is in Arizona UTI is not what they make it out to be we hear that some of the students graduating from UTI are making minimum wage so do some research before you sign up with UTI you might be better off going to a dealership and getting a job there they will move you up in a year or so.

 

When we checked into this for my son, by talking to some grads, service managers at Cummins and Dodge. All of this along with anybody else I could find in the industry. The outcome was that if you wanna go to a Tech school, don't waste your time, just go to work at the dealership or shop, you will start out at the same salary. Everybody I talked to that was able turn this into a profitable venture were those with an actuall college degree in it or those that had the financial and intelectual means of starting there own business and being very good and very lucky at it. The Tech Schools will hand you a peice of paper and call it a degree but employers do not view it as such. Not meaning to ruffle feathers of any on here that went that route because there are always exceptions to every rule. But for the best chance at a future attend a recognized college with a good automotive program. In our case we chose the University of Northwestern Ohio for him. This was the program most recommended by these people. When he started there he found out that there are students there from every end of this country that chose this school. It is an Associate Degree Program but if he can keep up with the extra credit hours in the academic courses he is currently doing, he will have his Bachelors in the same time frame. With that every door in this field is open to you. Good Luck to you and remember that if you love what you do it is hard to fail.

 

Yes you will start at the bottom even after graduating from tech school, but right now you will get hired over someone with no fundamentals .... also you will go up that ladder to journeyman much quicker then the guy off the street.

 

yeah az. is a litle to far for a daily commute.. just signed a 1 year lease. in fullerton ca. so i could have a place to stay closer to work .. ill keep looking checking my options. thanx for the advice so far everyone

 

1. As a graduate from UTI, I can tell you that employers do look at "the piece of paper." That piece of paper also comes with 67 credits. One semester at almost any college and I could have my associate's degree in automotive engineering.

2. I dont know of anyone in my graduating class (about 100 students) that started out at less than $10/hr. I know that isn't much, but if you just walk in and get hired, dont expect more than $7/hr.

3. I didnt go into this profession for the money, I do it because it is something I really enjoy doing. Heck, right now I am only making about $700 a week. That is with 5 ASE certifications, numerous DC classes, a couple GM classes, and a couple Ford classes.

If you are really interested in this for a living, I would check out some of the tech schools in your area. Take tours of their shops and classrooms. Talk to the instructors. I can tell you that UTI is pretty expensive, and their prices keep going up fast.

 

With the home market the way it is I would look into home heating and air conditioning. Lots of stable work and there will always be a need.

 

i build swimming pools, spas, fountains, waterfalls ponds,, i dont even want to go back to construction.. or anything realted.. ive drivin more miles in 13 years then most commecial driver.. (ok not really.but im in 7 digits) and i hate driving in southern californina traffic. if i dont do somthing you will probably see me on the news!!

 

I'm a diesel/heavy equipment and truck mechanic and i went to school at Vincennes university in Vincennes Indiana for their 2 yr diesel program. And too me it was well worth going to school before finding a job. My first job out of school had me at $650 per week plus overtime. I was offered jobs that paid $10 per hr starting but if you wait it out you can find better pay starting. Also my girlfriends sisters boyfriend just graduated from UTI in chicago and he has a job with Intertrashional making decent cash starting.
matt

 

My wife and I are both graduates of UTI's auto & diesel course. We went to the Phoenix campus.
Every employer I have worked for has agreed that any education makes you better than a guy walking in off the street with no knowledge. You have actually apply yourself whaile at school though. It is not hard to just "call it in" and still graduate. If you are really interested in learning, and building a base for a career, you have to spend a lot of time studying and talking with the teachers. UTI never assigned any homework, but I was studying every night. Even today, I spend a lot of weekends going over service manuals and literature.
I can tell a difference in techs who just went to school for the diploma, and those who went for an education.
I graduated in Feb 97. First job I took was only $8.00/hr. Not because it was the only job I could find, but I was too stupid to know better. After four years, I was up to $24.00/hr. I have held several Foreman positions, and am currently working on a shift leadman role in my current shop.
In the last year, my shop has hired several UTI grads, starting them off at $15.00/hr.

 

The assoc. degree has really helped me. I attended Oklahoma State University Tech HEVI Heavy Vehicle Institute in the Freightliner program. Not only do you learn about the whole truck, but all of the engines from Mercedes, Detroit, Cummins and CAT While attending I was working every other 7 weeks at Freightliner for internship. At the end of 2 years, you already have a good foot in the door at the dealership because you have been working there. If I had to do it over again I would. It was a great experience and really helped. I can tell you that alot of companies are starting to look for people with management potential. They really like the fact that I had a business managment and ethics course on my resume.

It has been about a year and a half since graduating and I have already moved up to mid level journeyman and a certified tech through Cummins, Mercedes, Detroit, CAT, American Lafrance, and Freightliner Custom Chassis. If I was walking through the door without a degree, I dont believe I could have moved up so quick.

 

wyotech! my brother went there. before he graduated- he had offers for jobs in alaska on oil platforms, from cruise ships lines, many offers from big trucking companies all over the country, as well as some dealerships. i think he said he had 14 job offers!

 

My feelings on the dealer tech end of things. It makes a nice secondary income. If you are going to be the "bread winner" I've seen this industry wear alot of people out really quick.

 

Both of my boys went to UTI Phoenix and both are employed by Cummins.....