which college to choose
 

Okay guys so i have a question on which college to go to. I am enrolled in uti right now and am ready to go to chicago but ive been thinking and it cost alot of money and stuff like that and is the school even really worth it ? So do you guys think i should go or just go local around here it would be nice to stay here and get my own place and be able to see my family and stuff so.

Re: which college to choose
 

My best advice is to move and experience a different part of the country. There is a lot to see and do, and if you end up hating it you can always move somewhere else or back home.

Regarding education...the formal 4-year university education system in this country is royally fucked right now. It is way too expensive and you'll rack up more debt that it's worth. I'd suggest sticking with a trade-type school, which it sounds like you're already on that path with UTI so stick with it.

Re: which college to choose
 

A degree is a degree. Most employers don't care where its from. You aren't looking to be a lawyer or a CEO of a huge investment firm, so you don't need a fancy piece of paper from Harvard, Yale, etc.

Re: which college to choose
 

4 year crap can all screw off i agree with that for sure. And moving i want to but i dont like everyone else when they were at this point in life im sure. And i agree a degree is what it is no matter were its from thats why im thinking stay here and save some money and still be with family and friends

Re: which college to choose
 

Here's what I've learned by moving across the country: Your true friends and your family will always be there no matter what. I would also say I appreciate my time with both even more now when I see them, plus have met a whole new group of people down here too, some of which I consider friends, others of which I almost consider family.

It really is up to you, its a very personal choice. Some people like the idea of moving, others don't. It's a gamble which can pay off, but staying close to home is always going to be the safer and more comfortable decision.

I grew up in Minneapolis and went to college up in Duluth, at times I honestly regret not going to school further away from home, but am always very glad I at least left.

Re: which college to choose
 

Totally agree with you mostly im just trying go figure out if uti is really worth the money i will move and go if it is if not ill stay. You can always make new friends anywere basically.

Re: which college to choose
 

It's a very personal choice. I personally went in the military and got to see experience several places all over the country and the world. It was a great experience and left me thinking that everyone ought to explore the world beyond there comfortable at home environment.

Now with that being said, I've since gotten out, moved back home, and am starting school locally at Dunwoody here in a month. So I'm going to school locally but I now have a wife, house, and son so staying local makes sense. But I'm really glad I spent 5 years in the military experiencing the rest of the world, and 3 years after that working a job that also allowed me to travel abroad a lot. It made me realise just how much I like MN, and also that I really like Arizona as well and would totally move to a place like there or New Mexico if life ever put me there. Florida and Japan are nice, but I learned I hate humid places on the ocean so don't think I'd ever want to live there. But glad I did it, met some great friends and have some amazing memories, wouldn't trade any of it for a thing.

But yeah, it's a very personal choice. You have to ultimately decide for yourself which way to go. I assume your going for an automotive degree. I'd say in the end when looking for a job, employers probably aren't going to care if you degree is from UTI, Wyotech, or Anoka Tech. So if the remote schools are a lot more money, I'd say the return on investment over your standard tech school probably isn't really there and it might be worth saving money and going to the less expensive school.


Last random comment, if you're going for automotive, I'd really think twice about that choice. There's so many other 'tech' degrees that in my opinion would be a much more promising lifelong career. Unless you want to work under a slushy MN car in January for the rest of your life... Robotics, Electronics, Machining/3D-printing, engineering drafting, etc.

Re: which college to choose
 

Sounds like fun. And i always wanted to visit japan but feel like it would be to crowded.


Money is the biggest issue for school for me i mean i would save a hell of alot of money staying local i guess ill just have to but positives to negatives on both schools and figure it out.

Re: which college to choose
 

Lots of good advice here. If you want a hands-on type tech degree then by all means go for that, but I agree with Halon that auto-tech is probably not the one to go for. A great one to get in to is robotic welding or machinist (you can make cool shit for your car to!) training is always good too.

I know you love to work on cars, but talk to most people in the automotive industry and they now hate to work on their own stuff and it killed the hobby for them. Working on their own stuff seems like work to them now and not fun. Keep your hobbies fun!

If you want to move up the corporate ladder then you will need a 4 year degree. I agree that where you get it from doesn't matter much, just so you have that piece of paper. I experienced that first hand as I had 5 years of customer service mgr. experience, but couldn't get a job because I hadn't finished my degree. I ended up going back to school and finishing it.

Re: which college to choose
 

I worked in a machine shop for a couple summers pretty good money but absolutly hated it could not stand it and im not good with computers at all ha ha. Theres just so much shit you can choose from its confusing lol

Re: which college to choose
 

Out of high school I couldn't tell you what a resistor was. I went to school for electronics basically, and next thing you know i was working on million dollar radars, eventually got me working on Nuclear Fuel Handling Equipment, and now I'm an engineer designing the controls for them.

That's what schools for, it's OK if you don't know anything about it yet. They teach you enough so you can get out in the industry and start doing it, and you'll just keep learning the more hands on you get.

Do what you want, but automotive seems like a pretty saturated field with limited opportunity unless you want to do something like open your own shop. Which at that point, mechanic schooling will become less important than say business schooling.

I personally really like Dunwoody. You can get a 2yr tech degree. Then eventually if you want a 4yr degree, you can get one is say "applied business management" which is just another 2yrs stacked on top of the 2yr you already have. It's a private school though so it's $$$$.

Re: which college to choose
 

God damn now my mind is going everywere on what to do i can see why not to go into automotive industry because youll get sick of it like said above. I just dont know what else to do that seems fun and hands on i cant sit at a desk all day screw that

Re: which college to choose
 

Lots of possibilities, field service repair, construction, etc. I know field service for the electric companies make good money. Have to freeze your ass off in the winter though. You just need to find a field that isn't saturated and has a good future if you want to make decent money.

Re: which college to choose
 

Then you really want a tech degree. Find something less common that you'd like, you'll have to do some digging.

Re: which college to choose
 

What do you guys think of technical drafting sounds like it would be kinda fun work for a performance shop and make shit for them lol

Re: which college to choose
 

Drafting is a good career. We have a lot of them here. But it's counter-intuitive to how you just said you don't want to sit at a desk. From what I've seen, it's pretty much a desk job. Taking engineers designs and drawing them up in various auto-cad type of programs. But that is kind of cool. It's like building stuff, but rather than with your hands, you're building it on a computer making a computer model of it. You'll end up proficient in the autocad programs, which will let you have fun on the side getting to use those skills to draw up car stuff like flanges, manifolds, etc.

If you want actual hands on type of stuff though, I'd get into a technician type of course. Something like Electronics Technician, Robotics Technician, etc. They are very hands on and that degree can apply to so many different things. You can work here building fuel handling cranes, electrical cabinets, gear boxes, traveling to do field service support and installations. You can work at production plants as a maintenance guy on the assembly lines. Comcast installing cable lines, Verizon working on cell towers. A technician type job is very hands on, of course it'll require some desk time to do paper work but just about every job has that. I just always hear stories about people that have automotive tech degrees that end up changing oil at Midas and it takes a long time to get into a real position.

If you went into say the Dunwoody Robotics program, it's 100% placement. When you graduate, you will very likely end up with multiple job options, probably none of them offering less than $40k starting salary. You come work here as a Field Service tech, that'll be your base pay but with all the travel involved you will make almost double that and gain tons of experience. That's pretty good money for a new-grad if you ask me.

And again, I think 3D printing is going to become a big industry. Dunwoody has a program for that as well.


Don't let us change your mind though, choosing a school and a career path is a very personal decision. If automotive is what is really calling your name, don't let any of us stop you. It could lead to working at your dream job working on Jeff Gordon's race team or some shit, who knows. Chances are it won't, but you never know unless you try. Like Jet said, I keep cars as my hobby. After working on other peoples shit boxes all day will probably not leave you with much motivation to work on your own. I'm a hands on type of person too so I went into a profession where I'm still hands on and get to build stuff, without ruining my hobby by making it my job.

Re: which college to choose
 

Yea thats what im thinking now about automotive stuff that it will get old and boring. And yea tech drafting is alot of sitting but it sounds like it could be fun but who knows i just couldnt sit on my ass all day. Ill have to look into that robotics tech its sounds like it would be pretty cool acually.

Re: which college to choose
 

I would not go to uti. Have a few buddy's that went and said it was a over priced joke.
Also I have been a auto tech for a lot of years then the last 6 years I have been doing heavy diesel. My back and knees are shot already and I am 34. I have been looking for other jobs not working on cars or big diesel. All the years have made me not want to work on my own cars it just burned me out.

Re: which college to choose
 

I'm using Dunwoody as an example here a lot because that's where I'm going so it's the school I know. There's tons of other options like Henn Tech, Anoka Tech, etc. But here's some options at Dunwoody that I think would be good tech degrees.

Anything IT, computers, internet, smart devices, everything has some sort of software to it now.
http://www.dunwoody.edu/computer/web-programming/

HVAC, work on construction or design, residential or commercial, etc.
http://www.dunwoody.edu/construction...ystems-design/

Welding. Real welding, not building intercooler piping, talking structural/industrial professional welders. They make decent money
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...l-fabrication/

Machining
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...ol-technology/

Robotics. Every business is looking towards automation now to increase efficiency and reduce cost.
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...tems-robotics/

Electronics. Applicable to tons of different types of jobs.
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...cs-technology/

Design Drafter:
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...afting-design/


Out in the skilled labor workforce, you'll also see a lot of "mechanics". Not auto mechanics, but just mechanics in general. Here for example we build cranes. So we have guys in the shop who are electrical techs (they do all the wiring and stuff like that), and we have mechanical techs who assemble the structure, do all the alignments, etc. So if you really like mechanical type stuff, that would be an option where you're still building mechanical things but not on greasy cold cars in the middle of winter. A lot of those guys don't have any degree, so having pretty much any sort of manufacturing related degree would put you ahead if you want to go that route, even an auto mechanic type of degree I'm sure would look good for those kinds of jobs as they're just looking for a mechanically minded person in general.

Re: which college to choose
 

I went to UTI. I agree its extremely overpriced, though I'm not unhappy with my education. I figure you get what you're willing to put into it. I could probably have spent half what I spent there to get a simular education locally and if I could go back I'd probably do just that. If you enjoy working on cars and want to continue working on your projects I would encourage you to do something else. Like mentioned above, you'll get burned out. I wish now would've gone into mechatroics or something like that (not that I'm too old or tied down to go back to school, just too stubborn)

Re: which college to choose
 

Sorry don't mean to ramble haha. School just a fun topic for me right now since I'm about to start, so I love to talk about it and share what I've found :)


FWIW - Here's the program I'm starting. Basically the same as the Automated/Robotics one I linked earlier, just at night.

http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...rial-controls/

Then once I finish that, if I still have energy left to get a BS, I'll either go into their Engineering related BS, or their Business related BS.
http://www.dunwoody.edu/manufacturin...ng-technology/
http://www.dunwoody.edu/applied-mana...letion-degree/

One thing to think about if you think you want your BS someday, a lot of employers offer tuition reimbursement programs. So you can get your AS, work there for awhile and once you think you know what direction you'd like to go in the future, get them to basically pay for your BS. Really good way to save money!

Re: which college to choose
 

http://jobs.westinghousenuclear.com/...607-jf557-coUS

We have 3 open positions right now for technician type jobs it looks like. A robotics or electrical technician type of degree would be all you need. Guarantee those all start at at least $40k starting, probably more. The field service ones, turn into more like $70-$80k with all the travel.

And that's just us...

Re: which college to choose
 

Pharmacist.

Don't chase money, do what you like and money will follow. Best advise I've ever received.

Re: which college to choose
 

Were they travel to do you know ? Like outa state obviously

Re: which college to choose
 

My company? So far I've been to these places with this company:

Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Korea, Spain, Red Wing (road trip!) Nebraska, Plymouth (like the rock)... Probably forgetting some.

So yeah, it's global. Lots of business in China. Potentially a lot in UAE and India. Lots of places in Europe, South Africa, Mexico. Pretty much anywhere there is Nuclear Power or the potential for building new Nuclear Power Plants.

Re: which college to choose
 

I don't know why, but that reminded me of this article haha

http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-ge...e-unhappy.html

Re: which college to choose
 

But you obviously dont have to travel if you choose not to is that correct ?

Re: which college to choose
 

Well for the Field Service job at this company, yes travel is required, that's what the "field" stands for, working in the field (at the site).

But either way, just meant to be an example of how skilled technician jobs are in demand, so a technician type of degree is a good field to get into in my opinion, and keeps you in a 'hands-on' type of roll.

Re: which college to choose
 

How has no one mentioned NTC yet? Northwest Technical college has nearly everything you can think on as far as automotive goes. The even get into nursing, carpentry, HVAC and more. They are going to be a quarter of the cost of any big name (Wyotech, UTI..).

I found them and instantly dropped Wyotech as even an option. I can get you my instructor Paul's number if you're interesting in engine machining. That or the website can point you in the right direction.

Re: which college to choose
 

Engine machining sounds like it would be kinda fun ha. Ill look into all that robotics shit and drafting and just stuff in that feild for sure

Re: which college to choose
 

DO NOT GO TO UTI!

Personally i am a Dunwoody college of technology graduate...and even though i landed a job in the field i went to school for, if i could do it all over again i would not spend more then 15k on any degree other then a bachelors at minimum. I would not do Automotive formally either. Try hard to stick with a none private school. UTI, Dunwoody, wyotech...ect ect you are paying half your tuition for the name...no matter what school you go to no piece of paper will do you as much good as hard work, self application, and industry experience.

Re: which college to choose
 

Agree completely. Private schools are spendy and probably not worth the extra cost most of the time. I'm just using Dunwoody as an example because that's where I'm going, and it's 100% free for me so the cost is no nevermind for me. If I was paying out of pocket, I'd be looking at places like Anoka Tech or Henn Tech. You can go to the Henn Tech robotics program, and I bet it's less than half the cost of Dunwoody, and it's a MNSCU school so that's nice if you ever consider going to a different school and want to transfer credits.

Re: which college to choose
 

I will chime in and say a tech school degree is not the same as a 4 year degree; you're looking at a starting salary of maybe 30-40k as compared to 50-70k (depending highly on your field, but i'm thinking the engineering/manufacturing world)

Not all 4 year degrees are created equal, either... it's easier to get a job coming from a good school. However, that is a minor concern to many people. Just don't get a 4 year degree from a for-profit university (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For-profit_education)

However, a 4 year degree in liberal arts is pretty worthless. Get a degree with a very specific end career goal.

You can get to the same level as someone with a 4 year degree, but you have anywhere from a 5-10 year handicap on getting there (and in some cases longer or it doesn't happen)

I just finished my second 4-year degree and i'm planning a masters before too long. To me, the money spent on the (yes, fcuked up and overpriced) educational system is still worth a lot more than say, a brand new EVO X and always will be.

Re: which college to choose
 

Any state community/tech college has a automotive program and all that jazz. And they are cheap to attend compared to other schools. Personally, dibble-dabble in some places you think you'd want to work and see if you really like it before going to school for it. Otherwise you'd be spending buttloads of money for nothing and switching majors constantly.

Re: which college to choose
 

This is the only item I don't agree with. There is some negativity on these schools but it's laregy due to the students themselves. I'm a couple courses away from my MBA via Keller and I've had the opportunity to work directly with professors who have held key positions in the field taught at many fortune 100 companies. I've seen a lot of people in classes who pay their money and will never progress beyond where they are at. It's sad, but it's true. These schools provide opportunities (especially with the online and onsite flexibility) that traditional schools are just now starting to. In the end it's all about what the student does with the info they have the opportunity to learn. So many people expect shit with a degree, fuck that, go earn it. :)

Re: which college to choose
 

do you also buy alex jones's water filters?


Get a degree from a reputable university, and sit back and enjoy the ride

Re: which college to choose
 

I will most likely just attend anoka tech for something other than automotive. Dont know what exsactly yet but i will figure it out sometime.

Re: which college to choose
 

Unemployment rates for those with 4 year degrees is almost double that of someone with a 2 year tech school degree. Meanwhile your average 4 year degree will have 3x the tution of those going to a tech school. Median pay between the two is surprisingly simular too.

Re: which college to choose
 

those statistics are flawed for many reasons. A solid two are the fact that some people go for the academic enlightenment(aka the purpose of higher ed), and some majors are just stupid. You won't find "useless" majors at a tech school. The purpose of a tech is to make producers in a population, not invigorate intellectual innovation.

Comparing salaries is apples to basketballs. Positions are a good difference to discuss when describing starting pay. I'd rather have a cushy office chair job for 20 years than destroy my body and sanity wrenching.

I study cognitive neuroscience. I also happen to hold certs in the pharma/food stainless process piping field. Without a day in a trade school. Honestly, if anyone out of highschool wants a rec to a stainless company that can make your 92k starting working across the country, I'd be happy to give referrals.

Re: which college to choose
 

I go to SMSU in Marshall. Love it, but we don't do cars.