How to get a job involving cars?

[EarthWorm]

I'm 21 years old and have a lame part time job. Saving up for a car. I want to move on and get a job working with cars, you guys mind giving tips how to, from a guy who had basic knowledge with cars? I know there's a variety of job, so I'm open. Thanks dudes

[future]

Don't. It takes away from the fun of working on cars. You won't even want to fix your own

[ocn]

depends on what you want to do ? i was ASE certified and i still enjoyed working on my car even tho thats all i did was fix other peoples shit.. you need to take a test to get your certs meaning school if your want hire pay and see if you can get a paid intern at a auto shop locally. if you want tuning and building other peoples cars i.e slapping turbos on rebuilds and all the it all cycles back around to school or know somebody willing to train you so you can pass the test's needed for your certs, people don't generally like taking chances on someone who hasn't gone to school working for them due to the fact if your fuck something up they have to answer for it and if it goes to court its a loss due to the fact you were not even certified to be doing the shit in the first place. probably not the answer you were looking for but bottom line .. school school school

[feito]

I dont know about cali, but down here in tx u can always get a job at a small private owned shop without being certified, thats at least here in SA. Around here most small shops operate like that and u can even get to overhaul engines and all, but u wont make a fortune. All it basically takes is recomendations, like, your uncle knows you're pretty good at working on cars and he also knows the owner of this shop who is looking to hire mechanic. Say he hires u, u wont make much and maybe u wont have your boss' trust to do major work, but thats how you will get started and from there it depends on how much u want to grow, you may get a boss who is cool and if he sees potential in you may offer you training and certification if needed. From there you'll have some experience and may move to bigger-better paying shops.
I went to work at a ford dealership as a quick lane mechanic, basically doing maintanance on new cars, getting away with doing some stuff like t-belts and heater cores, clutches and even pulling engines out for oil pan gaskets, making good money for the first year n a half since we were getting paid base on flag times. Then the economy went to shit and so did the paying. When i quit i was offered training by the sercice manager so they could move me to the big shop but i declined it, i had already been hired by another shop. I still dont know how i feel about that desicion i made...
I currently work for a small radiator shop doing all the mech work, amything from pulling radiators to water pumps amd heater cores, linda boring but the pay isnt bad and is always assured.
Again, idk how things work over there, but its all up to u and what u can prove to your employeers.
Oh, and as someone said, it does take a lot of the fun of working on your own stuff, and having dirty nails and greasy hands have of your day becomes kinda frustraiting...

[dawagarage]

apprentice or do bitchboy work for low to no pay. get your foot in the door, establish yourself, take up bigger jobs. bingo :)

or network

[rokmplutonium]

The only way to make real money is if you open up your own shop.
I used to work at a body shop in GA for a little while, but became frustrated with the crappy pay and long hours; I used to work 55+ hours a week with no overtime. However, you will learn a lot; I learned how to do estimates, as well as repairs in body and mechanical. I never really hated working on my own car, I just hated working on other people's car.

[Felipe]

Basic knowledge... How basic? Pepboys/autozone/napa ect...

[simmode1]

Go sell cars. Turnover is so high at dealerships, they hire damn near anybody. Can make decent money, but you'll work like a slave though.

[ayuaddict]

I'm 24 and I have been playing with cars for about ten years now. I currently work for a large Japanese automotive aftermarket company at the US branch in Southern California. I also write for a major automotive magazine.

If you're serious about wanting to work in this industry, just do it. Apply everywhere, start anywhere doing anything, go out and meet people, the only thing that will guarantee failure is not doing anything. Being active with your car will help as well (track days, meets, etc.) - this will fall under the aforementioned "meeting people" but it's something that is usually enjoyable to you, the car enthusiast anyway.

[Matej]

It is actually quite simple.

1. Get rich.
2. Do any job you want.

[ZX88]

go to school.

[spooled240]

I never attended an auto class but I have become a knowledgeable and certified technician. I started working at pep boys doing tires and oil changes after high school. After shadowing some of the experienced shop techs and taking a few of the ASE tests through pep boys (which are free btw, take advantage of this!) I started doing brakes, suspension, steering racks, intake manifolds, etc. It really isn't that hard it just takes patience and an open mind to learn. I've seen some egotistical techs that have effed up because they thought they knew everything..

I know some other technicians that went to UTI and were not as knowledgeable as they should have been having spend over 30K for the education. School helps, but it's not necessary to gain experience/knowledge. If you have a desire to learn and not dick around at work you can make some big gains in a short amount of time.

[Corbic]

It is actually quite simple.

1. Get rich.
2. Do any job you want.

This.

Who the fuck wants to be a grease monkey for a living? It's totally cool when you are 19. have ADD, live with your parents and shit - but when your 35, broke and can't even afford a car half the value of the cars you work on every day... it blows.

Get an engineering degree. Work for an OEM, learn business and leadership skills, and manage an service center if you want to "Work on car"s.

My idea of having a tuner shop would be I hire and manage the people that do the tuning. People that do the donkey work don't get ahead in life.

[coreyh]

im 19 and currently attending uti in rancho. I work at a shop part time as an apprentice and work out of my (parents) garage. it sucks right because money is non exsistent. just go apply at shops and see what happens. but if you don't have a real passion for it it sucks.

[xoxide]

Walmart's always hiring, and they have an automotive section....

[redline racer510]

Don't. It takes away from the fun of working on cars. You won't even want to fix your own

Very true. I worked for Mercedes for a couple of years and man that killed my passion for cars. It may sound like it is something you enjoy but trust me it is gonna get really old fast especially when you have to deal with bad customers.

[young simba]

get a job as a porter in any local dealership, pay attention to the og techs once your there.

[Corbic]

get a job as a porter in any local dealership, pay attention to the og techs once your there.

WTF is and Og Technician?


:rolleyes:

[EarthWorm]

Thanks guys, all this is really helping.

[spooled240]

yeah working weekends and lousy pay were a few of the reasons why I got out of the industry..

[Kallixtos]

WTF is and Og Technician?


:rolleyes:

Original gangster? :D lol

[imotion s14]

Thanks guys, all this is really helping.

I have a feeling you're gonna go to UTI anyway...

[EarthWorm]

I have a feeling you're gonna go to UTI anyway...

Nah, lol. I've already been avoiding that place for years now.

[coreyh]

I have a feeling you're gonna go to UTI anyway...

hey the education is great there, all the instructors have to have experience in the field, so on top of learning from the book they have their personal experiences to help you. but the political side sucks dick. financial aid sucks, student services wont help, and when they do theyre rude as shit, and the employment department is about as useful as a wet match. so yea I wouldn't recommend it for that, but the education is great, so don't fault that.

[Corbic]

hey the education is great there, all the instructors have to have experience in the field, so on top of learning from the book they have their personal experiences to help you. but the political side sucks dick. financial aid sucks, student services wont help, and when they do theyre rude as shit, and the employment department is about as useful as a wet match. so yea I wouldn't recommend it for that, but the education is great, so don't fault that.

Community colleges like that... your better off going on a credit card.


Why not go to a real school and become an engineer?

[imotion s14]

hey the education is great there, all the instructors have to have experience in the field, so on top of learning from the book they have their personal experiences to help you. but the political side sucks dick. financial aid sucks, student services wont help, and when they do theyre rude as shit, and the employment department is about as useful as a wet match. so yea I wouldn't recommend it for that, but the education is great, so don't fault that.

Nothing you can't do at a community college at a fraction of the price.

[Forte EXE]

Yuta hit the nail on the head. I started working as a porter at a Toyota dealership when I was 19. I learned EVERYTHING I could. Got my foot in the door, talked to alot of the older folks and how the business works and 8 months later, became the service manager for a 4 man shop and 10 man detail bay.

Just go out and do it. It may take a while, but you have to want learn.

[jesse_s13]

Nah, lol. I've already been avoiding that place for years now.

Good those places are way overpriced. Community College is better and often pays for you to attend if you receive financial aid.

Also being a tech isn't the best job but definitely not the worse. If its what you like it then do it 110% there is good money to be made in a bunch of mechanical fields. Especially in Diesel/AG, Military, or Aftermarket industries. Notice I didn't say standard automotive, you need to expand your market and look into different areas that need your skill.

Couple of years ago I was working on Military Vehicles and there is LOTS of money in that industry. It just depends where you apply but if you go where the crowd applies then expect low pay.

Goodluck.

[sleepyS14se]

i personally started doing auto to 5spd swaps in hondas at the age of 14. Thats what got me into hondas... after building several cars (25+ swapped hondas) and playing with other stuff i decided to work at a auto parts/paint distribution center working as a commercial salesman. pay is good, i am in a climate controlled location. I am thankful to have my job and i would say my experience from physically working on vehicles have gotten me where i am.

[brndck]

UTI and wyotech are garbage unless you are in chassis fab or paint/body.
Every tech I met who just came out of one of those places had a head full of irrelevant shit, but little to no practical or functional knowledge.

If you want to learn, get a job at a shop. Be an oil change bitch for a year, and whenever you have a spare minute, harass anyone who knows more than you. READ. Trade manuals, car magazines, articles, etc.

GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
It's way cheaper than UTI and they will teach you RELEVANT info.

Working on cars for a living sucks tho. Overall.
The max income for a tech isn't that great, and the hours suck.

I firmly agree that something like an engineering degree is a much better idea. You can get a 6-figure job and then have cars as a hobby, not as a lifeline.

I'm SO glad I don't fix cars for a living anymore, and my income is 20% larger now that I switched industries.

[sleepyS14se]

UTI and wyotech are garbage unless you are in chassis fab or paint/body.
Every tech I met who just came out of one of those places had a head full of irrelevant shit, but little to no practical or functional knowledge.

If you want to learn, get a job at a shop. Be an oil change bitch for a year, and whenever you have a spare minute, harass anyone who knows more than you. READ. Trade manuals, car magazines, articles, etc.

GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
It's way cheaper than UTI and they will teach you RELEVANT info.

Working on cars for a living sucks tho. Overall.
The max income for a tech isn't that great, and the hours suck.

I firmly agree that something like an engineering degree is a much better idea. You can get a 6-figure job and then have cars as a hobby, not as a lifeline.

I'm SO glad I don't fix cars for a living anymore, and my income is 20% larger now that I switched industries.

what did you used to do?

[sleepyS14se]

uti and wyotech are famous for teaching people irrelevant info like you said. I would never pay someone to teach me bacic common sense such as when to wear eye protection and to remind me to wash my hands before eating food after working on a vehicle because of certain chemicals that could get on my food from me handling auto parts/ fluids.

tech college did teach me good things, some but not all has stuck with me through my journeys. i would recommend anyone interested in automotive field to start at a local tech school.

[Juantwo3]

if your a auto tech and you hate your job and dont want to even work on your own car then its not for you.

I love my job i learn new things everyday my pay is based on ME how hard i work and how fast and accurate i work. thats just my 9 to 5 i also have my after hours work for people i meet, friends family , friends of family. there are times i make more money on the side then i do at the shop. either way money coming in.

i have networked with others in the same trade and built up good relationships and they litterly have an open door if you wana learn or if they need a hand.

its pretty cool , although its not for everyone if you like to be spoon fed information and dont like to work hard fast and get dirty then its not for you.

1. buy tools (you will never have every tool, but try and have everything it increases pay)

2. Your reputation is EVERYTHING you either can or you cant fix somthing dont lie.

3. dont think you know everything, there will always be a car that will kick your ass or a more experienced tech that will make you look like a complete idiot.

4. the pay will suck , but its up to you to make it better HUSTLE

5. once you get settled in experienced and valuable to the shop you work for make your self a corner stone , make it so the depend on you where they need you where you cant be replaced.

6. NETWORK you will meet alot of interesting customers , other shops, and all sorts of people that can in one way or another open a door for you.


7. enjoy your fucken job, if you cant show up to work with a smile on your face or a passion for what you do then move on and find somthing that works for you.

8. experience , and this comes with time.


most techs i have met coming out school are complete idiots they talk real smart but have trouble doing even basic repairs. i have only meet one dude that was on point with his school and hands on work, even then they would complain about the school the went to and recomand anyone to go to a community college.

[brndck]

what did you used to do?

Uhhhh I used to fix cars for a living.
8 years in the industry, ASE certified. Did everything from R&R, diagnosis, smog, alignment, brakes, transmission, rebuilds, Etc.

I don't do body work cuz I have no patience and I don't weld cuz I suck at it. Everything else is fair game.

Now I work for fisher valve. Much more lucrative $$$, and when I get home to my garage, I'm not dirty, cut up, busted knuckles, etc, so I actually WANT to work on cars.

When I worked on cars for a living, after 10+ hours of fixing other peoples cars, the LAST thing I wanted to do was work on my own shit.

[sleepyS14se]

Uhhhh I used to fix cars for a living.
8 years in the industry, ASE certified. Did everything from R&R, diagnosis, smog, alignment, brakes, transmission, rebuilds, Etc.

I don't do body work cuz I have no patience and I don't weld cuz I suck at it. Everything else is fair game.

Now I work for fisher valve. Much more lucrative $$$, and when I get home to my garage, I'm not dirty, cut up, busted knuckles, etc, so I actually WANT to work on cars.

When I worked on cars for a living, after 10+ hours of fixing other peoples cars, the LAST thing I wanted to do was work on my own shit.

i feel same way, i enjoy my indoor job as a commercial salesman (involves auto parts/paint,etc) when i get off work i am always ready to work on my s14

[Siphter]

Community college for certification, if you're low income the BOG Fee waiver will make any classes $1.00 not including book and tool costs of course, you could also snag some welding classes to either fall back on or as an added bonus if you get into some kind of auto fabrication position.

You could also "shmooze" your way into a tech position, easiest way would be to work as a Lot Porter at a dealership for awhile ... basically you wash cars, gas them up, park them, and sometimes deal with picking cars up from auction, or at least that's what we did at Acura of Seattle. It's mindless and dull but you get to know everyone working in the dealership really well.

[Silverbullet]

I noticed everyone is only speaking in terms of an automotive service technician. While service maint and labor is a big part of the industry, its not the only automotive job out there.

There are plenty of other jobs at local dealership, and at cooperate offices. To the OT, i wouldn't limit my sights just to being a technician.