School, is it worth it?

[Sarra]

So. Short backstory. In 2003, I got a job at a call center. Yeah, yeah, it sucked, but it paid my bills. In 2006, I went back to school for Automotive repair. My College GPA went from a 0.92 to a 3.1 by the time I graduated in 2010 (I started late in 2006, went to school part time, worked part time, then in 2009 went full time to school).

So, after I got my degree, and ASE were all passed, I couldn't find a job. Nobody wanted to hire anyone without 5 years of experience. So, I got a job at a dealership washing cars, hoping to get a shot at a tech job. Nope. They actually lost 1/3 of their techs, and didn't even bother to replace them. So, I moved on...

I'm currently driving. I work with disabled people in the community, driving them from home to their jobs, appointments, doctors, dentist, parks, bingo, whatever, and back home. But, I'm only working part time, and due to the stupidity of the people in the community, a Levy failed to pass, which cut our service hours (and the bus routes had to be altered, in a bad way, plus no Saturday service. At all.), and thus, my pay. So, I've got... Two things I'm thinking about.

Tow and recovery. I freaking love this, though I've never done it before. I have taken a Subaru WRX in places, that quite frankly, it shouldn't have been able to even go. Doing so with a tow truck just sounds like an epic fun challenge to me. I have a Class C CDL right now, for my current job, which means it would be fairly easy to get a Class B or A, and I'm familiar with basic car repairs, structures, etc., having wrenched on cars a little.

The other option is to buy a welder, and start learning how to weld. I started this, I went to school for it in 2010 when I couldn't get a job in Automotive repair. I could either go to school again, or I could buy a welder and teach myself.

I'm not even looking for automotive tech jobs. I lost my tools, and got deeply in debt after I lost my car washing job, partly because I did get a tech job, but the guy was only paying $9/hr, and required me to work 11 hour days, 6 day work weeks, no lunch, no breaks, and no paid over time (minimum wage at the time was $8.90 here, which means he was actually paying me less than minimum, since overtime is required after 40 hours, at time and a half). I bought $4,000 in tools, and shortly after lost my apartment, my tools, and almost everything else I had.

I've got savings right now, and I'm planning on bankruptcy, so the money thing isn't huge, just a pain in the ass...

Ideas?

 

[EeePee]

Where is minimum wage $8.90?

Bankruptcy is a bad idea, no matter what. 7 year commitment I think?

Are you wanting to go back to school?

 

[EddieO]

Washington is $9.50 or so.....some cities have passed stuff making it $15...

Later EddieO

 

[EeePee]

Whoa. $15 min wage would make my old coworkers flip their wigs.

 

[spookyseven]

Are you really tied down as far as location? I live in the upper midwest and it seems like jobs are pretty steady in that $10-$15 an hour range and overtime is common if you want it. The weather sucks and the jobs aren't glamorous but it would probably keep you out of bankruptcy.

 

[crash]

Odd-- I have never heard of anybody not being able to find a job as a tech. Its hard to find qualified guys who stick around...

 

[BLKXJ 96]

Odd-- I have never heard of anybody not being able to find a job as a tech. Its hard to find qualified guys who stick around...

This is true, and in most cases if you can find a place of employment that is willing to train you....it works out better than school. It has for me and a few of my friends, we have worked harder....but in the end have more experience than our friends that go to school because we are learning and getting paid at the same time.

 

[crash]

This is true, and in most cases if you can find a place of employment that is willing to train you....it works out better than school. It has for me and a few of my friends, we have worked harder....but in the end have more experience than our friends that go to school because we are learning and getting paid at the same time.

yes/no. I graduated gm asep back in 91 and came out with a wealth of knowledge on the gm product. One thing school does help with is how things work and why--not just how to fix them. IMO if you know how something works it greatly helps you figure out why its doing what..

 

[Sarra]

Oregon Minimum wage right now is $9.10, I think. I don't know, I'm making more than that right now, but part time...

I was in Portland. I'd apply to a tech position, and so would like 15 other people. The company would see a few people with no experience, and a couple journeymen, and take the journeymen first, leaving the peeps with no experience out in the rain.

I do want to go back to school, and at the same time, I don't. It would be awesome to pick up some skills while keeping my current job, but if I could get a full time, higher paying, more fun Tow/Wrecker position, then screw it.

And no... Sorta... I don't know. I'm living with family right now because I have $30,000 in debt, which... Is more than double my projected gross income for this year. I'd love to move, but I know that there's zero chance of me getting an apartment right now. I'd love to move to... A place that gets snow in the winter. Yeah. In Utah, I loved it when it was -25*F outside. The locals were thinking I was on crack or something cause I'd go for walks at 2 am when it was snowing and super cold (I had a night job). So yeah, I'd love to move, just no means to at the moment.

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

The college local to me advertised the addition of welding classes a few years ago, and in a short time welders far outnumbered the demand.

IF you go back to school, make damn sure its in a field that you can actually get employed in.

 

[RANOVRU]

I filed bankruptcy back in '05. Im not an advocate for it but if youre in deep enough than you got to do what you got to do. The biggest thing is to realize is that youre getting a second chance and not to get back into the same situation. I havent done much to improve my credit since then, Ive had a couple of car notes but that doesnt really do much for you. Creditors want you to be up to your eyeballs in debt and consistently manage that debt in order for you to have a good rating. I dont have many bills so Im mediocre to average at best in the credit system, BUT, I have not ended up back in my previous situation.


As for going back to school, the way things are right now I feel like if you want a hands on job then get some kind of apprenticeship. You have to look at what there is a demand for where youre at. Around here welding has little demand. Auto techs and pretty much anything in the construction fields are bountiful. If youre ASE certified you could have a good job here tomorrow regardless of experience.


In this economy I just feel like going to school just puts you further in debt with no guarantee to pay it back.

 

[djjiz]

$15 jobs are possible in my area and dont require degrees. Friends with degrees are making similar wages in these fields.

Automotive experience should help get your foot in the door for local desel shops and they would pay your training. Ive got 4 or 5 friends that are making close to $30 in less than 3 years with only on the job training.

Not sure if that helps but it's something worth considering.

 

[Sarra]

Mmm yeah. I had a credit rating of 790 before this all happened. I've had credit cards for years, without issue. It just was a combination of untreated bipolar, a spouse that wasn't much better, and being stuck at a job where nobody appreciated me, while wanting something better.

I live in a crap place. There's... Nothing in demand here. The TSA did a pre-hiring event at a big venue, and so many people showed up that traffic backed up all the way across town.

As for welding... I'd do the class either part time or learn on my own, while still working my current job. I qualify for grants, so I wouldn't be out money other than gear, I've got a mask, gloves, jacket, etc., so not much there.

Yeah. I'm still thinking about what to do. Keep checking with a local tow and recovery place if they're hiring, the manager/co owner seems enthusiastic about me, since I'd be easy pickings for getting my CDL A with the proper endorsements (Air brakes, multi trailer, hazmat, etc. Which is funny because I have a passenger endorsement, which is the only one I wouldn't need...) If I had some welding experience, it would make me even more appealing, plus I had full ASE certs.

 

[spookyseven]

Have you thought of road service tech? I know a few guys that work for dueco (now owned by terex) and the company provides the truck, tools and training if you already know how to wrench on stuff. The guys I know only work on terex ariels and digging derriks but it probably changes on what machines are in your area. Also even if the shop isn't in your town you can just drive the truck home after you get trained.