truck diagnosis (bad) and poll on class

well, id say definitley stay in and get the automotive education. might be something practical in the next 10 years or so. Diesel, is also going to be very popular. so might wanna think about that. but everything will work itself out

 

thats what im trying to convince her, im goint to sell almost everything i have horded over the years to try to earn the money, including antique military stuff and coins, i am determined to stay in this class and succeed and am going to explain my situation to my instructor this afternoon.


i figured out what was wrong with the truck, my IAC valve and my MAF gave out, i ordered the parts and am putting them in with my instructor on saturday, saving me 500 bucks in labor, and the college is also paying to fix up my old junker dodge. i will find the money someway or another (watch your wallets...just kiddin im an honest guy) heck ill sell my bed if it comes down to it, ive got a sleeping bag

i know automechanics during the day and emergency medical services by night doesnt earn the most money, but they are things i enjoy doing and would be proud to say i do...plus if you think about it, mechanics save lives too, doctors gotta get to the hospital some how

 

You seem obviously dedicated to the automotive tech career path (at least for now ...). Stay in the program and see how it goes.

If you drop out, I guarantee the following two things will occur:

(1) You'll be resentful at having 'given up', and this alone will taint whatever you do next. You won't know if automotive tech is really the path for you until you try it. Even if it isn't, the experience will teach you a lot of lessons as valuable as anything you stand to get out of the next couple of years at a 4-year college.

(2) You won't have much chance of success in a 4-year program, because it's not what you think you want to do. You'd probably end up wasting the college fund on education you won't finish, won't like, or won't end up using.

As for the tools ... Come up with a more reasonable approach (less expensive brand; look for good used sets), and quit obsessing about not being able to get the high-end set you want. If you want to prove (to your mom *and* yourself) that you're entitled to follow your own guidance, you need to prove you can get it done.

Make a deal with her, and make it binding ... If she'll let you borrow a portion of your college fund to get the necessary tools, you will be obligated to pay it back in full once you get your 2-year certification and get a job. You'll then have 2 years to prove to her the auto tech program is a worthy investment of the college fund money. If she still doesn't agree, you'd be paying back to her (and ultimately to yourself) what you'd otherwise be paying to some other lender.

 

Plus 1 but... a degree may not get you a job. Cleverness, attitude, gratitude, showing up, optimism, etc are key. Expecting something because we have internally created some rule that we deserve something because of how great our talents or achievements may be, is a dead end road. Now on the other hand two guys having equal traits of the above and one has a degree or years of military service, etc. For me, I'd hire the one with the degree over ones without. I've hired many and as an employer always thought if I help my employees get to where they want (even if it is another job) I will get more than enough.

 

Agreed, a degree helps in some situations (and is necessary for some industries, of course), but a degree, just for the sake of having one, won't get you very far.

Too many people get degrees that don't interest them just because they've been told that if they get that sheet of paper, they'll get a well paying job. If your degree is your passion, then the paper will be a symbol of your dedication and hard work. But if your passion is elsewhere, then seek other ways of proving your dedication, such as certifications, two year programs, and the visual evidence and reputation you develop when you work hard at something.

-Sam

 

i took automotive systems at night while i was a senoir in high school and the only reason the use snap on here in NC is they donate a portion of the money back to the school (the one that i was attending anyway). They use that they are the best tools in the world but i bought a craftsman set for half the price and they are just as good if not better IMO

 

;0

 

do they still do that program at craftsman?

 

holy cow, i didnt know that. well, looks like i got a new project. bwhahahah

 

You need to seek some counseling from a career counselor or a college counselor.

You say, over 500 bucks for college is too much but you are thinking about spending $2,200 for some tools?

Get a craftsman set. Thats what I have and I would say 90% as good as snap on. They have a lifetime warranty so you can buy with confidence. I took a broken 3/4 inch socket back to Sears that was my grandfathers from when Sears started making sockets. The guy, no questions asked, gave me a new one. He even gave me the original one back. Said it looked "sentimental".

 

i wanted to thank ya'll. i was able to convince my mom to let me get the money out of my bank account. my only stipulation is i cant let my grades drop below a b and that i repay here when i get my degree. just wanted to thank yall for helpin me make the choice to be cool and stay in school haha

 

no problem. you will thank yourself in the long run that you decided to stay in. and you better thank your mother for letting you stay in. haha

 

my advice is to do what you want with your life and dont let your parents decide for you i tried to make my parents happy and now i graduated and cant find a job so do what you want to but like they are saying still respect her but its your life and your next 50 years dont worry about what she wants.

 

Sounds to me like a vaccum line came loose, the airflow sensor is bad, or the intake sensor for the air filter is bad. Will it run if you keep it floored?

As for tools, I've got a socket set I got when I was 15 ( 32 now) for $15. Its been beat to hell and it holds up great. I'd never buy snap-on. Way too expensive.

 

Well people are always gonna be sick and people are always gonna need a mechanic. Follow your dreams.....don't let anything hold you back. Money isn't everything and being happy with what you are doing means a lot. I'm a medic and love it. I started out as a cabinet maker, went to school for drafting, then went into EMS. Best move I ever made. We have finally within the last few years gotten the pay up where it should be here. I can imagine NC is about the same as Georgia pay wise with EMS. The thing is when I started in 1995, I only made $6.50 an hour as a EMT. It wasn't about the money, it was that I was happy doing what I did. I make over twice that now and am still happy. I got on with the elite service in the area and have worked here for 11 yrs. One of te guys that works for us had his own off road shop. He worked with us full time and worked at his shop on his days off. It was something he loved to do.....both of them. I can't see myself now working 5 days a week and doing the same thing everyday....but that's me. With my job I never know what the day holds, if I'm gonna be busy or if I'm gonna sit and watch tv all shift. What I'm getting at is....if you do what makes you happy you will succeed....just like HBMurphy said.

Murph

I was gonna say check your MAF with that problem but I saw where you figured it out. Oh yeah stay yo ass in school!!!!! Do what you love!

 

thats what i wanted to do full time fire ems (usually 24/48 or 24, 24,24,24 24 then 3days here) and mechanic at a small shop or somethin