Eastern Members - Frustrated, finished auto degree, no job

I've been in college for the last 3 1/2 years :chug: for a bachelor degree in Automotive Management. Basically it's 1.5 years of Auto Tech training and 2 years of business management courses, some auto specific (fleet, service, + parts management). So at this point I'm supposed to know how to fix your car and run the business too.

Now I need a job for internship credit in order to graduate. Problem is I've been searching for a month and applied to at least 12 shops but no luck.:bang: My resume is well-written but I have no experience working in an auto shop, even though I've done plenty of auto work.

How did u guys get your auto careers started?

Also any job leads would be appreciated!! I'll do anything, tool manufacturing, fleet management, tire sales, u name it.

Are you applying to shops that have positions open, or are you just handing out your resume randomly?

If you're applying for jobs that are open and not getting them, maybe ask for some constructive criticism. Ask the Service manager if he minds telling you why you didn't get the job.

Sometimes it's as simple as how you come across. Could be you're applying for a job you're not qualified for, even though you have an education.

Are you applying for a legit internship, or an actual job? I would think it would be easy to get an internship.

With the amount of dealerships that have closed over the past 5 years or so, the Automotive job market has become more selective for employers. I run a service department for a used car franchise and i get flooded with applicants everytime we look for someone. Also a lot of shops wont hire without some experience. Your best bet at an internship is most likely going to be a quick lube joint or a tire and brake service center. Dont give up, its a tough economy and shops just arent that busy like they used to be.

maybe try small dealerships that need one guy to run most of their stuff..

Thanks guys. I think my lack of shop experience is killing me. I check local job adds everyday and apply to open positions. Maybe employers don't understand they can pay me less when I tell them I'm looking for an internship.. their loss

I think I'll have to start at the entry level jobs, like a lube service tech.. better than no job. It is frustrating to see a high school kid with a job i can't even get. I swear the guy who sold me tires at sears looked 15 (he messed up my order, twice).

I think the automotive field is something where experience means as much or more than a piece of paper. More than likely you're gonna have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

i went to an automotive school for just over a year. job isnt guaranteed. i applied to many places and i got lucky and found a job after only 2 months. but i have friends who couldnt find a job in the auto business.

Where do you live?

A degree does not guarantee any job. You should not really be frustrated after 1 month of looking when other people have been trying to find work for a lot longer, that's the real world. The only thing you can do is keep applying.

How can you have no assistance through your school to get help interning? I also thought interns weren't supposed to be paid? At least the ones I have meant weren't, they were only earning credits. Maybe if you're expecting money while interning that's why they are not hiring you.

We have people stop by for jobs. They got a degree or went to an auto school. The degree and schooling mean nothing with no experience. Sucks but would of been a better start if you started the feild in high school and went with it through college to build up experience.

Are you applying for a legit internship, or an actual job? I would think it would be easy to get an internship.


How can you have no assistance through your school to get help interning? I also thought interns weren't supposed to be paid? At least the ones I have meant weren't, they were only earning credits. Maybe if you're expecting money while interning that's why they are not hiring you.

That's why I asked what I did above. A true internship isn't paid. A lot of shops would be happy to get free labor, as well as find out what kind of employee and person you are. You go in to a shop and "volunteer" to help out, you'll get something.

Try pitching them a "deal". "I'll work for you for 2 weeks for free. If you're happy with me, you start paying me. If not, I'll move on".

You can get a job washing dishes any time. Skilled positions are not always open. You need not panic after one month. Just bang every door in your area at least once a month. Something will pop up. It is just timing. It will come.

We have people stop by for jobs. They got a degree or went to an auto school. The degree and schooling mean nothing with no experience. Sucks but would of been a better start if you started the feild in high school and went with it through college to build up experience.

This 100%. I never understood why people went to college to work with cars. Get a part time auto repair job while taking classes at a community college or tech school would net better results.

FYI my last year of high school I took a part time job working on trucks for a beer distributor. That summer I went to full time.

Meanwhile 3 of my friends took full time classes at uti. When they graduated they all started at the same pay I was making with 0 schooling the summer before.

2 of them still work in the auto industry. The other became a waiter after working at a GM dealer for a few years. Base pay in the auto industry sucks till you prove yourself. As it should.

I went to school a bit ago, and in a different path, but internships that were paid were like unicorns. Most people just sucked it up and did it for free.

(In my IT job) I have had about a 1/2 dozen interns work for me here. Most do their time and move on to other jobs. But I even brought on a guy that did really well, and now he works for us.

Just don't give up, and first and foremost I would think an intership is more about getting your credits than getting paid for work. I think you would be more successful if you push that aspect of it more. Most companies will have some type of intern program. Getting help without using money from the yearly budget is always a good thing!

P.S
Even though I brought that guy on, we still call him "Intern" just to annoy him! :twak:

I'm 17 I got a paid internship. I was working at dodge didn't like it there. People got screwed over all the time. So now I got a paid internship at subaru. When you go in to apply be sure to talk to the service manager there. That's how I got mine. I went in wearing jeans and a t shirt and just talked to him. Not sure if your just asking an employee for an application and filling it out and handing it back. I have a 2 year automotive program at my high school so that helped a little. If your around Northern Va I could probably get you a job at 1 of the 2 I worked at.

Just out of curiosity, did you accept governement funding to pay for your school? Were grants involved or loans? The reason I ask is I find it funny that they can put a requirement for you to graduate that you have an internship. Basically they're withholding your degree until they can verify and you sign off that you're working in the field in which you were trained. Nice easy way for them to say "hey we have a 100% placement rate". Also the governement doesn't hold their feet to the fire on placement and governement funding. The school needs to help you find a job. Give you places to go apply to. Withholding your degree is a God awful scam to me! Damn shame. My company owns over 100 colleges, universities and we're faced with not only making sure the student gets placed into the field he/she was trained for but also to make sure they're making enough money to easily pay off their loans and recoup their investment into education. Crazy that they can get away with this.

Your school should offer some sort of assistance in finding you an internship, especially since it's a requirement to earn your degree. I'd speak with your advisor immediately. Best of luck.

You should be proud of yourself for your schooling -- do not get discouraged.

Just as everyone else has said, its a tough economy. Alot of people are struggling to find A job even something outside their field of study. I for example graduated college with an aeronautical science degree and a multi-commercial pilot's license. Only thing I was able to find right out of college was a dead end job working at a call center.

Employers want experience. People right out of college don't have that, so your kinda stuck in a void.

As everyone else has also said keep applying! Something will turn up.

You WILL get discouraged, it comes with the tons of applications you apply for and no returns. Just put it aside and keep going.

Good luck with your search!

Instead of working for a tire and break service place, if you have 20 - 30k put away you could always lease a shop and start your own business.

Instead of working for a tire and break service place, if you have 20 - 30k put away you could always lease a shop and start your own business.

This is not the way to go for a young guy just getting started. An education is one thing and experience is another.

Go out and work in the field. Learn on somebody else's dime in an established system. Then after a year or two, work in another place, and maybe another after that. Then start your own business.

While you are out there "cutting your teeth", you will learn about their systems in inventory, accounting, cost control, customer service, employee relations and so much more.

Then, when you start your business, you will have the confidence and experience to launch your success.

How do I know? How about a 20 year career in automotive management reaching a 6 figure income?

Whatever you do don't get a job at Enterprise rent a car!!!!

Whatever you do don't get a job at Enterprise rent a car!!!!

I feel bad for those poor kids. Enterprise rides them hard and puts them away wet.

I'm getting some good advice here! Thanks guys! I guess I have to work for a few years for my degree to be worth something, if that makes sense...

I talked to my college adviser today, he contacted a Firestone auto care district manager for me and I'll follow up with that soon. It's a NY State college and they are not required to provide intern positions for everyone, but they are required to help and provide leads and such. I don't demand a paid position, but it is kind of a government scheme in the way I still have to pay tuition and might have to find an unpaid intern position... paying to work would suck. I could always offer to work for $100/wk to cover my expenses or something. I like the "work for free for 2 weeks then decide to pay me" idea.

As for Enterprise, I had an interview with them but they only have summer and part time jobs/internships, which wouldn't help me graduate this spring. Glad to hear they suck anyway!

I didn't expect to be hired right away, but I thought college would make it a lot easier and I need to start working soon in order to have enough hours to finish my degree in May. I have learned a lot in college, it was worth it regardless. Now I just want to work hard and make $$.

Man I'm glad I didn't stay in the automotive field. Think outside the box too, try working on heavy equipment, that's what I do, more work than we know what to do with. Still tryin to find mechanics. Try local forklift companies and rental houses like united rentals and sunbelt.

I don't demand a paid position, but it is kind of a government scheme in the way I still have to pay tuition and might have to find an unpaid intern position...

A lot has to do with your chosen field.

Just like you I went to school for automotive.

But it was strictly automotive theory and hands on training.
I'm still going to school got another 7 months.

I work at a busy local shop.
We are slammed!!!!!!!

I do anything I can get my hands on.
It helps to be working with 3 ase master technicians
2 of which have been certified for 30 years
1 % of techs fall under that category under the ase program.


Anyways
I work roughly 53 hours a week
Monday- Saturday.

Doing emissions, oil changes, brakes, pushing cars sweeping floors what ever.
A bit of diag here and their.

I make reasonable pay I really feel that I should be making another 2-3 an hour, but was told I'll get extra dollar after 30 days.


This field is a lot of hard physical work,
Tools are so important also.
Also good tools are generally costly.

When I applied for the job I had no actual shop expirence.
And it's a lot damn different from school
Watching techs that were actually flat rate techs at one point diag shit is incredible.

Expirerence is very important you'll learn something everyday out in the field

Just don't act like a know it all that's the problem with a lot of new guys in this field.

Find a place to learn first it'll be worth a lot more vs just a job.

Not exactly auto mechanics but I started detailing the same way. Right out of high school I started as ageneral base detailer and bounced around until I became a lead detailer/manager at a dealership. Now I work for chrysler/jeep/dodge managing thhe auto detail department with 10 years under my belt.

Try Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc here in NorthEast PA. They have a their own fleet of trucks and they are a very large operation. Let me know how you make out.
PM me.
Frank

If you want to go into the auto field, I feel you should pursue the diesel mechanic field. If you need money, open your own shop and do brakes and oil. You can eventually call your own shots in the future. With the computer, mechanics have become part changers. So many shops have had to close because they don't need mechanics. Newer cars don't need general maintanance.