abe1990

Thanks a lot for everyone's help! I have gone to several dealerships and small shops to talk with service managers. All of the small shops said that they would not put me on the floor unless I had at least one ASE. Not even on a lube team. Most of them wouldn't even talk to me. Of the service managers I actually got to speak to at dealerships, I asked them what classes I should take and if they had any openings for someone like me, or what I need to do to get a part time job. All of them said that I needed to get a bunch of classes, mainly electrical, before I could even work part time for them, EXCEPT Subaru. The manager there told me that I should take the classes that I am most interested in, and once I register, I should contact him again and try to get a job in the shop on the days I'm not in class. I'm pretty excited about it. Since my first post, I have gotten a 120 piece socket set, torque wrench, 3 ton hydraulic lift and stands, and a couple other small things. I bought these so after I read the chapters for my class in my text book, I go check out (if possible) what I have just read on my own car. I'm actually pretty amazed at how much I have learned in the past 6 weeks. My mid-term grade was 102.4% and I am at the top of my class! Thanks again for all your comments.

Hey guys, Just signed up and posted my first forum (hopefully in the right place): http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/144969-new-auto-tech-looking-for-some-career-advice/?do=findComment&comment=1218004 Just wanted to say hey and am hoping some of you could help me out!

Hey guys, I'm new to this and am hoping that I am posting in the right place. After a 6 long years in College and too much time and money spent, I have started taking Automotive Technician classes at a local community college. I absolutely love it and I really want to start a career as soon as I can. However, I have no experience besides in the classroom (there is a garage too). I know I'll have to start at the bottom (oil changes, changing light bulbs, cleaning the shop, ect.), but I'm trying to see how long I will have to be at that level. Ideally, I would like to become at an apprentice, but I haven't had much luck getting in contact with service/shop managers. I talked to one at a Mercedes dealership, very briefly, and he said that he wouldn't put me on his oil change team until I spent about a year basically detailing cars there, and then it would be another year or longer doing oil changes before I would actually get to work in the shop with a mechanic. I have always liked Subaru's and am very interested in starting a career there. I have left messages/emails with a few managers, but have not heard anything (its been about a week). Does anyone have any suggestions of where to begin? What things are shop managers looking for in entry level mechanics that could help me stand out? If you work in a shop, how did you start out? If it helps, I just turned 24, I have a very strong work ethic, determined, kinesthetic learner, not afraid to ask questions, want to get my hands dirty, and catch on to things very quickly. Sorry for going on and on. Pretty much all of my friends and family have desk jobs so I'm kinda on my own in this hunt. Thanks in advance for all your help.