Life of an Automotive Technician

[coolyun_98]

I know it is a bit off topic but I think this topic must have somehow gone through your mind some point in your life. So, I hope administrator will not delete this topic.

What I want to know is "what is it like to be an automotive technican?" and "what is the life of an automotive technicain?" Do you guys work on cars in noisy and somehow dirty environment all day? Is it really physically and mentally intensive?

I really want to know this b/c I am thinking about being an automotive technicain. I had a university degree in electrical engineering. The worst part is that I was accepted to the graduate school of electrical engineering and I am currently 1/3 way through my master degree. Now, I am at a point where I don't think I want to be an electrical engineer or doing reearch all day.

I fell in love with cars since I was like 9 years old. An year ago I finally saved enough money to get myself a used 93 J30. Since then, I justcan't stop thinking about working on my J30. Specially, everytime I read technical stuff about our Nissan/Infiniti, I am like...wow..I love to know more about his.

Well, I guess this is kinda too long for this kind of post. If you don't mind, give me some opinion on being an automotive technician in my situation.

[maxnix]

If I were you, I would proceed with full enthusiasm on your course of study. Electronics and computer regulated systems in modern cars are pervasive, and in a very few years, most of us will be driving something like the Tesla or a fuel cell hybrid.

[Q45tech]

Automotive technicans are poorly paid compared to an MSEE and need to purchase around $25,000 worth of tools and test equipment.

You will be mentally unhappy with the number of short cuts and half assed work you have to do to make a living.You will be unhappy working for FREE 20% of your week.

You will be mentally unhappy with your fellow workers and their IQ. Your boss may be worse since he has to sell work to vehicle owners.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos181.htm

In a recent poll 52% said they would leave automotive technican occupation first chance they gethttp://www.flatratetech.com/in...sults

READ A FEW 100 of these posts and decide:http://autotechnicianonline.com/forums/

What ever you do avoid US Models! But Imports [Lexus/Infiniti/MB/BMW] are copying the same employee abuse to try to stay in business.

BE SURE to study and test as a LICENSED Professional Engineer.

I have BSEE and MS and MBA............cars are my hobby.

[captainluigi]

Damn Dennis, that was a cold a$$ hard assessment. Acurate as well. Well done.

[coolyun_98]

God. How can I appreciate for the insights! I don't know how to thank you guys... I guess I will keep contributing to this forum in return to your kind and honest opinions.

The thing that suprissed me most is that technicians actually do HALF *** job. Specially, if one my co-worker abuse my respect or the employee abuse my time, I will get really pissed.

Thanks for the direction again.

[fixer]

I think $25000 is alittle short. I have been working on automobiles for more than 2o years and I know I have spent more than $120,000 na dmost of it through sanp on. Everything is right on!!

[jimbyjimb]

This is why I buy Sears. Matco at less cost. Snap-On sockets are the only tool they sell that's any better than anyone else's equivilent. 100 bucks for a 3/8 drive? Ha. Forget that. In any case, I use my Leatherman Charge TTI for about 90% of all my tool needs now. Best tool I own. Haven't needed a screwdriver/quarter-drive/needlenose/crimper/bottle opener/ scissors/ knife/file/saw/allen head/robertson/torx/etc.... for 2 years. It does it all, and with proper d2 tool-steel ANSI certified bits. Seriously, any tool guy is no tool guy til he gets a Leatherman. I encourage the population of the world to look into it.

[Q45tech]

Unfortunately tool box and tool quanity and quality is the male equivalent of a very big TOOL in gaining instant respect from your fellow workers.

If you don't spend $7,000 on a decent tool box alone and another $3,000 on auxillary carts....................others think you have a small TOOL and feel sorry for your mates.

The equivalent of Big and flashy rims.

Where else do people ouh and ah over some chrome tools.

[captainluigi]

Accurate 100% again.

[jimbyjimb]

I see your point, but I see it as those who feel the need to flaunt are the ones insecure because THEIR tool is small. It's like Napoleon in a monster truck. I guess some need to bury themselves in a pile of debt to feel cool. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember I'm in a Q45 forum filled with rich old men who bought 50-70k cars new and I'm only here cause I spent 1800 on a used 92 and can fix it myself.

[fixer]

I own a leatherman and have owned one since the original was available. I didnt go into all that debt to the buy my tools. I said that i spent that much because i know what i have claimed on my taxes in the last twenty years. I dont owe snap on anymore. I also shop at harbor freight on occasion. If you use a tool at least 100 times in a day you will understand why I bought snap on. My 10mm socket is pretty old and i have two spares in my box because I cannot work without one.

[coolyun_98]

My pwersonal experience. S-K tools are more than enough to get the job done. Snap-on tools are for hardcore professional mechanics.

[Q45tech]

There are major differenes between those who make their $35,000, $50,000 and $75,000 and $100,000 per year in automotive technology.

Corrected for local cost of living pay scales.

Their are major differences in education between mechanics, technicans, and certified master technicans.................................then a gulf as wide as the ocean betwen those and engineers and psot grad engineers and of course the PhD employed by manufacturers.

A tool must save you money or time to be cost effective. Why some master techs can do jobs 4 times faster than a tool poor and under trained mechanic........................the end result may be nearly the same except for the worker.

[jimbyjimb]

I totally understand that, but what I'm saying is that to me it makes no sense to spend 3X the amount on a Snap On ratchet over a Craftsman ratchet when they both do the same thing with little difference in qualoty or reliability. Craftsman ratchets are easier to replace when they do break since Sears is all over and open all day. The 40 bucks I spent on my Matco made Crafts =man branded long handle 3/8" ratchet with swivel head is comparable to a nearly 200 dollar Snap-On that will last no longer.

[elwesso]

If you have an BSEE and like working on cars, dont do it for a living. be the one making the stuff who the Tech's complain about, not the other way around... Back at our marina we always have our techs whining about the "engineers" not giving anyone any room to work on things.. Well chief, thats why you're getting paid to fix it and deal with it.

Anyway, good luck on your masters degree. Judging by what it sounds like, you can either quit your MSEE program and just go directly to your licesnsure, or do both. If you dont want to be in research and might enjoy more of the consulting thing, youll definitely need a license, and the MSEE will only be icing on the cake. With only the MSEE you will probably be doing mostly research-ish stuff... Im sure you already knew that though.. Masters degree will probably make you more money, but a license will let you do more cool things..

I know at my company they have a couple jobs for an electrical engineer but mechanically inclined person, that require a MSEE or MSME..

Sounds like you enjoy the more hands on stuff than being a "bean counter" as they call them...

Have you taken the EIT/FE test yet, or whatever the equivalent is in Canada?