Savegascivic!

Hi I was hoping that some shop owners or real autobody workers would tell me some ways I could get my foot in the working field of auto body. Currently I'm in my 3rd year of community college hoping of transfering for civil engineering one day, but I only have 40 units and As I AM TAking this math summer class, taking a quiz I noticed that this **** is way hard and requires a little more work for school then I thought.

So yeah fork in the road for me. Should I keep on going strong with the school **** or do something that interest me. autobody and How Do I get into the field. there are no community colleges offer autobody around me I live in san diego btw.. And I don't want to go to wyotech or something like that it just looks like a waste of money to me.

But yeah Should I just go to an autobody shop and work as their slave for awhile for free??
or what. how do I enter the field or tell me how you got into the field and what you were doing before.

hope some people with experience show me the LIGHT!

Savegascivic!

Bump much appreciated2! my unknown future scares me

dc5r2002

I went to wyotech and it was a big waste of money i could have learned all the same stuff and been exactly where i am now by just working at a shop for 6 years. Go apply to some shops and let them know you want to learn. you can get in just taking cars apart and putting them back together and fixing bumpers for a while after time you get better so you will get bigger and bigger jobs. take I CAR classes they are a good way to learn and if your employer covers them which most do they are free.

Savegascivic!

Thanks man,, anymore advice from anyone? I want some words from someone that didn't go to wyotech or any other tech schools. how did you get into the field without much experience.( only experience i have is reading the 50 dollar paint job and doing it haha and having autobody in high school) It seems like All the small shops are so isolated and like a family, all tight knit they wouldnt hire outsiders. Should I even try at the smaller shops or just forgot that idea. And just go for the bigger shops

shocker911

easy way to get in is most shops look for a wash boy to wash the cars as they come in and leave. also detail the inside. then if you get a interview tell the owner or who ever you meet with that you want to LEARN anything and everything you can about autobody. then they will fire back with some witty remark like you dont want to do this for a living. but tell them you arent afraid of hard work and you just want to get in the door, they will like what you are saying and bring you in as a wash boy or somthing else.

jb2wheels

Maybe you could volunteer at shop as gofer, clean up guy, or whatever?
Work for free or low pay as an apprentice?

ken9

Haha! You're taking Civil Engineering? I was taking that course and it hard, and i fail. Maths must be real good otherwise things will not be done right. Auto body school's O.k Not that hard but i really like it because you learn so much about painting techniuque and you can help alots of peoples on cars. You can earn a little of bits of $$$ too.

Savegascivic!

thanks for the advice guys keep em coming

19civic93

Stay in school and get your degree. Learn paint and body on your own. I learned the basics in high school and working with friends and my own cars. I've also watched videos, read books, magazines, and of course the paint and body forums but not from just one. You can learn a lot from the forums from very experienced people that's been in the biz for years or even owns their own shop. There are lots of forums with a paint and body section with lots of real people willing to teach. Keep this skill as a hobby cause once you start doing it for a living it becomes work and you may soon loose interest in it. Pays not that great either.

So my advice is to get your degree that will get you a high paying job and learn paint and body in your spare time. A high paying job will buy you a house and all the tools and equipment to equip your garage with. For now just do a lot of reading or watching how to videos, buy the basic tools, and then start practicing on some old body parts from the junk yard or even your own car.

This is what I did. I learned everything on my own with the help of the resources I listed above. No schooling except for what I learned in high school but it wasn't much. With everything I've learned, I've done lots of body work, full in and out paint jobs, molded body kits, and even collision work. All this done in my garage. I got pics if you wanna see. I'm currently working on a front end collision right now on a car my girl totalled.

So if your worried about your future, get your degree.

0611den

i think the last story is what i should take.


u need money.and lots of it nowadays

if youre sure of yourself u can make miracles.and i know from myselve,if i want something to know .i do it and do it etc etc.
till i know how it works.and u ask lots of questions.


believe in yourselve.

goodluck with the future

rash

I was actually JUST sitting around today thinking about how much fun my life would be right now if I had become a civil engineer instead of an IT tech. Seriously, I won't know why but I've always admired that field.

Oh hey...wanna switch? lol

Savegascivic!

Hah! i think you hit the nail on the head man, your right im just looking for the easy/fun way out of things. I will pursue this degree thing, thanks man. your post makes lots of sense Thanks for all the tips guys but this one will probably fit me the best..


Anyways I think I got my answer but keep posting im sure there are lots of people interested in getting in this field as a day job.

doubleshotz

I don't know how it is in the west but, out in the east and midwest,
you can get an ASE certificate as you learn.

Learning over the shoulder might take time and patience but that's the old fashion way to go unless you have money for school and board, etc...

This industry is not determined by degrees or certificates but, how quick and accurate you work.

Here's some reality tips that will happen to a noob,

You WILL be treated like a little kid.
Your opinion WILL NOT matter to co-workers.
You WILL do lots of bullshit labor, errands, and cleaning up.
You WILL NOT get paid up the ***.

Still down to do it?
Ok, here's some more tips.

Every owner is different so consider getting to know the employees or owner before you jump into a mess.

Leave pride at home when you go to work for about 1-2 years.

Get to know all the shop affiliates and vets in the industry around your area.

KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED AND KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS WIDE OPEN.

It's a long process but at the end it all pays off if you still love what you do.

Now if you looking to bank off this industry,
it's not the safest investment at this time. 99% of people I know in the industry do it for the love, or because that's the only thing they know how to do, rather than money.

ken9

I wouldn't agree with your second paragraph. There alots of reasosn why. Not offend or hating base on what you're saying. Having a Degree at University doesn't neccessary means you are coming to be successful on finding a job to work under some company. Not everyones get a job in the field right away. I have friends and cousins went to both University and Master University and still have gotten a jobs as yet. Even thou if they did got a job in the field, they wouldn't know how long they would last.

I know the whole point was trying to make a much money in today life. I know auto body shop wouldn't help or make sufficient money. Even thou it your hobby and yes, you will be fed on what you're doing as pride, but this's parts of life learning. Once you know almost everything your job environment your mind want to learn something else because you get bore of it.

Let me tell you how it not worthy working under someone or anyone. You wouldn't make a million working under them. I sure want to make more than 100 K in one years. Honestly i do! Just take how much freedom you can do with that kind of money if you can make it. Travel around the world, have your own customs cars and engine, and many more. If i can tell you brief story about my uncle. He was very poor man and had to work almost everyday in life, and he live very ghetto life. After time goes by, he decided to give up work and willing to do something on his own, but before that he had plan it out.

He created his own business by open a grocery store and took time for him to make it to expand and he actually didn't give up and he did succeed. He made more money than average living. He made a milllions and millions. He didn't finish university or own a degree. Schools can help find an eazy jobs but not make plenty money. There are so many peoples out there don't even have a degree and they millionaire such as NBA players. I can go on and on with the writting but i was trying to say how schools isn't for everyones. Personally, i don't like work because most of it are demanding and frustrating. I'm currently working but deciding to follow my uncle path of life and my dad that only do businesses. Anyway, don't have to agree with my opinions.

Savegascivic!

Good input fellas I didn't know HT was so deep haha
This stuff is not falling into deaf ears or should i say eyes

gorillafart

iTrader: (1)

cypress city college... which of course is in cypress, ca... (near buena park/anaheim if u didnt know) has a great autobody program

(one of only two schools in california that is NATEF approved... they're the organization that does the whole ASE certification thing)...

which is far from you but i know some people travel from all around and still attend that school for their program because its worth it... one dude i knew lived a little over an hour away...

just lettin u know... it may be too far for you... but it just matters how bad u want it...i have a friend that lives in OC and travels to daygo for work... he has no problem with it