Automotive Careers - Dream career

I am very curious to know what it would take to one day have a custom shop? What schools and programs offer the best training for body, engine, interior, paint, etc? I want it all. How much should I expect to pay for the training? Is it possible to skip the schooling and learn hands on?

Cars are one of the few loves I can see for myself... However working on every day vehicles just doesn't interest me at all. I need cars to get excited about and love doing. Are there programs designed and geared towards performance cars? How likely is that training to land a good job?

I always wish I were in the shoes of these shop owners. Magazines, TV shows, etc. constantly get my blood pumping. Doing those things would be a worthwhile and enjoyable purpose. Nothing but the best.

I truly appreciate the advice!

If you're looking at getting into high performance, then you should think about the School of Automotive Machinists. Between the block machining, cylinder head machining, and 5-axis CNC machining courses, they give you the tools, knowledge, and hands on experience to get your career started in the motorsports industry. Check out www.samracing.com or send me a PM if you have questions.

Thank you. Ideally I need a well rounded program that covers top to bottom front to back. That may mean more than one school or a longer duration at school, but I truly want to build/re-build custom cars.

Try Wyotech or UTI. They both have all the classes you are looking for. About 30K for everything and takes about 2.5 years.

Try Wyotech or UTI. They both have all the classes you are looking for. About 30K for everything and takes about 2.5 years.

Not too bad.

My friend went to UTI and he is doing very well now. He graduated in about a year then had an apprenticeship for about 1.5 years. He now works for Audi and makes $33 an hour on book time. Made almost 100k last year. UTI does offer a ton of different courses from paint/body to NASCAR. As long as your pay attention and actually learn the material you can do very well financially and have a career afterwards not just a job. My friend got straight A's and is making damn good money. I know another guy that went to UTI and did what he had to do to just pass the courses and he now works at Jiffy Lube. So you definitely get out what you put in.