smg267

iTrader: (23)

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

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

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

bore.me

iTrader: (15)

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 $$.

01M6TA

iTrader: (1)

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.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

A lot has to do with your chosen field.

djjonesivs

iTrader: (2)

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 **** 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.

Justins00ss

iTrader: (18)

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.

frnxctsv

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

spordee1

iTrader: (22)

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.