My humble opinion:
I think you should consider attending a 2-year technical college and get an associate degree in Automotive Technology. Technical colleges teach valuable job skills that you can use RIGHT AWAY to start earning a decent wage to support yourself, with the potential to earn much more. I also have an associate degree from a "traditional college", and learning history, biology, critical thinking, etc. are all well and good, and I made diverse friends and had good memories and all that, but employers don't care about your knowledge of famous explorers or photosynthesis, if you get my drift. They want to know "what can you DO?" With a technical college education, you'll be able to "do" a lot.
I came close to going to MMI also, but then I realized that motorcycles are a luxury and not a necessity like cars. No matter what the economy is doing, people still need their wheels. This is a vast country, mass transit is not an option for most people, and cars get more complex to diagnose every year, so rest assured that automotive technicians will have job security and high wages for a long time to come. 88% of America's workforce drives a vehicle to work, and they're all going to need service sooner or later.
I started out at a tire store with no experience at all in April of '03, doing tires and oil changes and working my way up. One of the mechanics there saw I had potential and helped me get a job at a large dealership in July. I started out there doing oil changes and tire rotations. After only about a month and a half, I became a helper for two master technicians after they saw how I worked. I highly recommend being someone's helper, because you learn so much more than how to work on stuff. You learn how to act like a true professional, how to handle unreasonable customers, how to handle difficult jobs that don't pay what they should, tips on buying tools, tips on life, etc. They aren't just my supervisors, they are my friends, and they ride too!
I work at the dealership full-time and go to tech college at night full-time. This quarter I'm taking Starting and Charging, Intro to Welding, and Engine Operation. My family says they hardly ever see me because I'm either at work or school, and when I'm home, I have my nose in a textbook or am online completing web-based manufacturer certification courses. I love it though, and at 22 years old, I finally feel like I've found my career.
What about the money, you ask? I know that a few of the guys at the dealership I work at make close to $100,000 a year, and one or two make a good bit more than that. The average is probably $50,000, I would guess. I don't make anywhere close to those figures yet, of course, but with time and training, I know I can get there.
Another benefit of learning a trade: side jobs! For example, your buddy needs a brake job on his car, and he can't afford to take it to the dealership. You can take your tools home with you Friday afternoon after work, do the side job Saturday morning, and pick up a little ca$h to fund your dirt biking hobby- that's what I do. As your skills develop and word gets out that you know what you're doing, you will be in high demand- from employers as well as friends and family.
Think about it and keep a positive attitude.
I think you should consider attending a 2-year technical college and get an associate degree in Automotive Technology. Technical colleges teach valuable job skills that you can use RIGHT AWAY to start earning a decent wage to support yourself, with the potential to earn much more. I also have an associate degree from a "traditional college", and learning history, biology, critical thinking, etc. are all well and good, and I made diverse friends and had good memories and all that, but employers don't care about your knowledge of famous explorers or photosynthesis, if you get my drift. They want to know "what can you DO?" With a technical college education, you'll be able to "do" a lot.
I came close to going to MMI also, but then I realized that motorcycles are a luxury and not a necessity like cars. No matter what the economy is doing, people still need their wheels. This is a vast country, mass transit is not an option for most people, and cars get more complex to diagnose every year, so rest assured that automotive technicians will have job security and high wages for a long time to come. 88% of America's workforce drives a vehicle to work, and they're all going to need service sooner or later.
I started out at a tire store with no experience at all in April of '03, doing tires and oil changes and working my way up. One of the mechanics there saw I had potential and helped me get a job at a large dealership in July. I started out there doing oil changes and tire rotations. After only about a month and a half, I became a helper for two master technicians after they saw how I worked. I highly recommend being someone's helper, because you learn so much more than how to work on stuff. You learn how to act like a true professional, how to handle unreasonable customers, how to handle difficult jobs that don't pay what they should, tips on buying tools, tips on life, etc. They aren't just my supervisors, they are my friends, and they ride too!
I work at the dealership full-time and go to tech college at night full-time. This quarter I'm taking Starting and Charging, Intro to Welding, and Engine Operation. My family says they hardly ever see me because I'm either at work or school, and when I'm home, I have my nose in a textbook or am online completing web-based manufacturer certification courses. I love it though, and at 22 years old, I finally feel like I've found my career.
What about the money, you ask? I know that a few of the guys at the dealership I work at make close to $100,000 a year, and one or two make a good bit more than that. The average is probably $50,000, I would guess. I don't make anywhere close to those figures yet, of course, but with time and training, I know I can get there.
Another benefit of learning a trade: side jobs! For example, your buddy needs a brake job on his car, and he can't afford to take it to the dealership. You can take your tools home with you Friday afternoon after work, do the side job Saturday morning, and pick up a little ca$h to fund your dirt biking hobby- that's what I do. As your skills develop and word gets out that you know what you're doing, you will be in high demand- from employers as well as friends and family.
Think about it and keep a positive attitude.
