Im an auto student. However due to a long story, my schools auto program (a 2 year degree program) is shutting down till no earlier than next fall 2009.

Meaning I can sit around doing nothing, continue attending the school for liberal arts or some other crap and wait until fall 2009, or even later.

Or I can go to a popular trade school in the area, which has a GREAT auto program.


Now I have mechanic friends on both sides of the spectrum (as in degree holders, and those who graduated form Porter and Chester)


The 2 who hold degrees: One of them works at a tire place, for $13 an hour (has a questionable work references which prevented him from getting better jobs, so this is a new start for him or something). the other works at an independent shop, making $100 a week, under the table. (hes still a student, and his parents pay for his apartment and other expenses, so this job just pays for entertainment, and gives him experience)


The 3 who graduated from Porter and Chester: One works at a Toyota dealership, $15.50 an hour. The second works for another dealership, $14 something an hour. the third works at an independent transmission place, $17 something an hour (too be fair, he is in his second year as a mechanic, while all the others are still a year or less out of school)


Is a degree REALLY that important in this industry? At first I thought so, which is why I went to college (plus I wouldnt have to pay a thing), but the more I think about, I start to think otherwise. Plus if I went to a trade school, I wouldnt have to deal with biology (really a pain in the ass for me)

I have a year left in the auto degree program, but all the other subjects are pissing me off, I only care (and study) for the auto ones. Im already doing the application process for Porter and Chester.

But anyways, what is gearheads view on this? Can someone who gets a great education at a trade school make just as much as someone who gets a degree?

Im doing a trade and my degree part time.

so hopefully i make twice as much money haha.

unless you feel like chilling for a while I would go to trade school. You can do the degree later on if you get out and realise you are making fuck all money.

I'm working on my degree, about a year to go. A degree is important unless you have a relative someplace, in which case you'll be able to make more money than anyone else with shit for schooling. The unfortunate part of the dealership business is that you're ultimately screwed unless you're related to someone higher up.

Actually dude ignore what I wrote before.

There's a few reasons why I'm doing a construction management degree p/time while I work as a carpenter (Carpenters make pretty decent money as sub contractors). I'll be a cert IV next year which means I'm a licensed builder (Type 3, which is homes up 3 stories + detached garage.)

First reason is because of pay. Project management and construction management jobs will pay several hundred thousand dollars a year by the time you are a senior level construction manager. You start on anywhere between 80 - 105 000 per year.

Second is because the economy sucks more cock then sponno on a wild night out with the boys. If I can't find work with my degree then I can work as a carpenter and still be ok. If I can't find work as a carpenter I'll build a kickass shack in the woods and live there.

lol the reason I'm telling you that is cause I'm doing what I want to do, but with a suitable backup as well. The economy sucks so much it's the safest thing to do for anyone graduating uni.

so do both haha.

To be honest you should have began thinking about it in high school. I'm in a trade school that will ASE certify me in brakes, engine performance, engine repair, electrionics and wiring, and suspension repair and theory. It takes a year and a half to get all this under my belt. I'm going to get a job with this then get an associates in Auto Technology to get Master certification.

Either way works, it depends on what job you want really.

This week I've changed my mind about where my career is heading.

Some say that it is enjoyable and fulfilling to work with your hands.

What do you guys reckon? (http://coursesearch.unimelb.edu.au/coursedetail.aspx?cid=1591&ctype=1&typeall=1&typepg=0&typeug=0&typesc=0&stype=Interest&sterm=28)

I dunno, it times out before anything loads...

This week I've changed my mind about where my career is heading.

Some say that it is enjoyable and fulfilling to work with your hands.

What do you guys reckon? (http://coursesearch.unimelb.edu.au/coursedetail.aspx?cid=1591&ctype=1&typeall=1&typepg=0&typeug=0&typesc=0&stype=Interest&sterm=28)

So you want to be a plumber?

So you want to be a plumber?

In a fashion, I guess.

Unless I pick another speciality.

Plumbers can earn pretty good money and there's always going to be work, but I imagine it's a fairly repetitive job.

Plumbers can earn pretty good money and there's always going to be work, but I imagine it's a fairly repetitive job.

It was just too easy to make those Super Mario Bros. references and puns that I fear it's a trap. I had to delete them. Instead I shall inform GH that I've arranged to buy an EF - which is hopefully set for later today. :).

What's an EF?

Still, if you're a plumber, you're doing better than me. As of Sunday, I'm a fucking typist motherfuckaaaaaaaa

I'm still planning to go into car design in September though, just hope I do well in my portfolio review... and if I don't get in... I can wait another year in my completely stress-free and reasonably paid job. I can even go in hungover as fuck and still work effectively.

http://farm4.dealernet.com.au/stock/20081120/27D5062E0C49416583F446B8BEAF3912.jpghttp://farm4.dealernet.com.au/stock/20081120/7E0D77E2FD8E424E8B238604400556B8.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1995-Ford-Falcon-EF-GLI-White-4sp-A-Sedan_W0QQitemZ270305748586QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_C ars?hash=item270305748586&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A975%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C2 40%3A1318

that's in canberra man, I live about 15 minutes away from that shop ^^

that's in canberra man, I live about 15 minutes away from that shop ^^

Nope, it's in my garage in NSW.

Nah, that's not the actual one I've bought, but it may as well be a clone of it (which is why I linked to it). Pretty much spot on identical, even got very close to the same number of klicks on the clock. It's rocking the black steelie pov pack look right now because you don't get the car and the Typhoon style rims for a third of what that one is advertised for unless you're holding a sawn off.

I noticed my link is fucked half the time, so looky here. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v676/ComradeAsh/CourseSearchFutureStudentsTheUniver.jpg)

I need to clarify. I meant specifically in the auto industry (repair, not engineering or anything). Is a degree really needed? or would a trade school suffice?

Can you even get a degree in auto repair?

I'd go round and ask auto repair shops and dealerships what they would prefer. You'll probably find that the older staff don't have any qualifications but a lot of experience, and the younger staff have more qualifications.

Usually places like this would look for a good combination of experience and qualifications - your first couple of posts probably won't be very well paid until you get enough experience to move on.

With cars getting increasingly complicated you might find that specialising in one very specific part of car repair might make you a lot of money.

Automotive technology degree is the"repair degree".

But like I said earlier, my friends who graduated from trade schools (particularly one very great trade school) seem to be in a better job/better salary immediately out of school as opposed to my friends who have an auto tech degree.

The thing is, my auto program in college (as in a degree program) was kinda outdated. (They have a bubble balancer for god sakes!!)

Where as the trade school has everything. Its like a car enthusiasts wet dream. You can tell the school really invested back into their program.

So yeah I start the trade school auto on the 26th.