Certificate Degree

[hickmlg09]

So after much thinking I decided to switch my schedule around and I am done with english and math and now I am taking more auto classes. I want to get this done, so I have decided to go with the certificate degree. Have 4 auto classes this semester now

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Are you still in High School, Hick?

 

[ken w.]

I would still take as much of the math classes as you can stand. This will defiantly help you in the future.If you really want to be a tech. I would go to a 4 year school.It will be to your benefit over a 2 year one.

 

[IONH]

A degree you can transfer elsewhere later if you decide that turning a wrench every day all day is not what you want to do in 10 years.

A certificate you may not be much help when you're up against others who have a full degree.

 

[Toolhorder]

I would get the full degree. I have a certificate and when I interviewed for a big automobile manufacturer for a job it wasn't looked at as a degree even thought it took me years to get. I wish I would have done the general and got the degree.
That being said I took the classes for my knowledge to to land a job so I'm not too hurt when it wasn't looked at highly.

 

[justanengineer]

A degree you can transfer elsewhere later if you decide that turning a wrench every day all day is not what you want to do in 10 years.

^^^This. Youre young and may end up doing something you cant imagine at the moment.

 

[netcaretaker]

As an ex-mechanic, ex-machinist, ex-manufacturing engineer, the degree is worth it's weight in gold if you ever want to change careers.
I was young, and stupid, and it took me three tries to get mine, but without it I would be working a line in a factory somewhere. I would get both if I were you, you are going to work for a LONG LONG time and things change over the years.

 

[hifi_hokie]

I hated math for years...throughout HS, into undergrad. To the point where I transferred out of engineering. What do I do now - a lot of math If I had to do it again, I'd probably deal with the impossibly-confusing notation and procedures - because once you get past all that fluff, you can do some pretty cool things with the knowledge.

It lets you to look at things a certain way - a way that not everyone can, and one that employers are willing to pay for (I keep telling myself the last one, though )

English...I tested out of as much as I could. Dated an English major for a while, and I'd rather sand an alpaca than diagram sentences. They can keep their alveolar fricatives, thank you very much.

 

[bochnak]

How much time did you spend studying math before you gave up?

I was behind in math once I hit college for an engineering degree. I had to **** it up and there were days where I spent 8hrs in the study hall/tutor room to play catch up and try to understand everything.

I now have a BS in Aerospace ENG and life is good. Don't give up!

 

[Toolhorder]

As an ex-mechanic, ex-machinist, ex-manufacturing engineer, the degree is worth it's weight in gold if you ever want to change careers.
I was young, and stupid, and it took me three tries to get mine, but without it I would be working a line in a factory somewhere. I would get both if I were you, you are going to work for a LONG LONG time and things change over the years.

I hate statements like this. What's wrong with working in a factory? Why do you think everything is manufactured outside of the US now. There is nothing wrong with working a line in a factory. Lots of Americans did it in the past and lived just fine.

 

[JoeOef]

I hate statements like this. What's wrong with working in a factory? Why do you think everything is manufactured outside of the US now. There is nothing wrong with working a line in a factory. Lots of Americans did it in the past and lived just fine.

I didn't get that out of his post. I might be wrong, but I think it's about opening, and keeping open as many doors as possible. I didn't read into that that he was running down any particular career choice.

 

[belvedere]

I didn't get that out of his post. I might be wrong, but I think it's about opening, and keeping open as many doors as possible. I didn't read into that that he was running down any particular career choice.

+1. What's wrong with keeping the doors open, as Joe said? You never know what you may want to try someday.

 

[RKA]

I hate statements like this. What's wrong with working in a factory? Why do you think everything is manufactured outside of the US now. There is nothing wrong with working a line in a factory. Lots of Americans did it in the past and lived just fine.

Nothing unless you get bored and want to do something else. Then it may as well be a prison sentence.

 

[LEVE]

I hate statements like this. What's wrong with working in a factory?

Not a thing. However, there may come a time when your unable to physically do a factory job 8, or more hours a day. Then, it's time to do something else. That's when an education comes in mighty handy. Knowledge is something that can't be taken away from you, however you earn it.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

What the hell, Hickilmigig??? She starts a thread and then just up's and leaves us.....(Like muddy clothes in the garage)......She's a "Drive-by" thread starter...

 

[OHMS LAW]

I'm doing the certificate and it will be my stepping stone.
Today in class we talked about our goals out of life and I ultimately want to be an engineer. But till then I need a good job to have while I'm in school. So cert now degree later.

My teachers have it pretty good, in at 7 am out by 230, free to do other stuff not bad for a couple of old farts with associate degrees.

 

[Givl Reggin]

In the past I have been an employee and an employer and I'll tell you nothing beats on the job training... NOTHING!

Figure out what it is that you want to do and find someone in your area that you can apprentice with - even if you have to work for free - it will be well worth it in the long run.

No amount of schooling or certificates can match what you will learn in the real world.

 

[Outlawmws]

What the hell, Hickilmigig??? She starts a thread and then just up's and leaves us.....(Like muddy clothes in the garage)......She's a "Drive-by" thread starter...

That was 4 hours ago; she's probably in class or with her sig other.


on getting a degree. As much as people don't want to realize it, you can't hardly get a job without one anymore, and "preference for advanced degree's" is everywhere...

 

[Outlawmws]

In the past I have been an employee and an employer and I'll tell you nothing beats on the job training... NOTHING!

Figure out what it is that you want to do and find someone in your area that you can apprentice with - even if you have to work for free - it will be well worth it in the long run.

No amount of schooling or certificates can match what you will learn in the real world.

Absolutely true statement, however, the degree is the "union card" of the 21st century. It opens doors and gets you in the door. Once in, you are usually judged on your merits; but getting in can be difficult without that "union card".

 

[hifi_hokie]

That was 4 hours ago; she's probably in class or with her sig other.

Some of my best forum-posting time

 

[nuklbstr83]

In the past I have been an employee and an employer and I'll tell you nothing beats on the job training... NOTHING!

Figure out what it is that you want to do and find someone in your area that you can apprentice with - even if you have to work for free - it will be well worth it in the long run.

No amount of schooling or certificates can match what you will learn in the real world.

you should definitely get the degree.....also, I completely agree with quoted post ^^^^

i am currently in my very own unpaid slave labor internship. (recommended by GJ members) i am also a student in an associates degree program for auto tech. the internship wasn't required for the degree, but i knew putting myself out there and getting experience would give me an advantage in my grades, finding a job after graduation, & also learning WAY more than just what goes on in school. whether im watching over the shoulder, or turning wrenches on customer vehicles, i absolutely love it. Best thing i've done so far to advance myself as a new mechanic.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

That was 4 hours ago; she's probably in class or with her sig other.

Well gee whiz, what's more important? Her school, boyfriend, or us??? She's gettiing a real world education from us, and this is where she needs to be..What nerve...

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Get the degree. Math and english **** but its well worth it. The ones who specialize in Electronic diagnoses and Drivability make the most money just a hint.

 

[jfcasey]

You still need to be able to read write and understand more than just cars to make a profit turning wrenches. Also, an associates degree would be helpful over a certificate if you ever want to move to the other side of the glass and do service writing or management.

 

[Steevo]

If yew dunt git yore degree and ejookashun yew will end up wryting lyke the peepul on grage geernal.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

If yew dunt git yore degree and ejookashun yew will end up wryting lyke the peepul on grage geernal.

Holy chit.....I think NOLATOOLGUY'S BACK...

 

[96snma]

This has nothing to do with the automotive trade but schooling in general.

I graduated hs, got a scholarship to play football and worked towards a university degree for "life experience" with the end goal of getting on with the fire department. Of the 40 classes that were required, only 10 were actually related to the program and the rest were chosen electives at I selected. The entire time I was thinking this is pointless, you could condense the program and what is the need for the rest of the classes.

So I graduated with a degree and started pcp(emt) school. After doing that it dawned on me what I had actually learned... And it was a lot. In the pcp program there was an ethical and research(statistical) component. Took an entire class on both subjects. It taugh me how to convey and articulate ideas and thoughts. In addition to how to deal with different personalities, conflict resolution and retaining information. One of the most beneficial aspects of university was math. When we started doing drug calcutation much of the class struggled while I could do it in my head.

You learn a lot more than you think.

 

[Eagle Point]

Last week I could not spell mechanic, now I are one................

 

[bobcatdan]

I had to take two whole math classes for my ***. degree. I felt like I was taking a lot of BS classes while in tech school, but I took them. I don't know how other people who went to tech school feel, mine felt just like high school except we had a pool table. **** it up, most shops want a degree.

 

[cheechi]

Unless you are ivy league, or minutely specialized, it's hard for a six year degrees average guy to EVER catch up with a smart guy who skipped college.

I think what you're saying is you should take a chance with your future and blow off school. That's a gamble, so is paying for college in hopes it will pay off later in a career opportunity. Of the two, if you were going to gamble, which is the safer bet?

Do not steer this girl down the wrong path. Sorry, there's a real world out there, they will likely try to pay you less because you have ***** (I know right? I'd pay more but that's just me) but a degree puts you in a situation where you are paid for your SKILL and KNOWLEDGE not just your ability to do what you are in school for now. Your manual abilities may fade or become obsolete, or you don't want to do that anymore. Maybe you get hurt? Hope not, but you can't know for sure. You have a real degree, you can do design work instead of wrench work. You can manage a plant instead of being on the line. You can sign off on drawings instead of making them. And the list goes on. The real world is full of corporate this and VP of that.

This is the bottom line; if your name isn't on a paper that says Bachelor of Science, you aren't finished with school. OJT, years of experience, natural talent, all of these things can help. But the closer you get to retirement, the more the degree matters and the rest doesn't.

 

[pacmktg]

I have an AS degree in Accounting and I have run my own business for 20 years. I have 30 years in my field yet if my business failed, I would be hard pressed to get a job in my field with a major company due to my lack of a 4 year degree. ***** but true.

Bob

 

[cheechi]

Ask a barrista about their 'ancient french languages' degree and how it has helped them.

Just a counter point...where one was needed.

Bachelor of Science

This is a young person going to school to do her job. She's already in school, are you trying to convince her to drop out? Are you saying you'd hire her? Are you saying that if she showed up, was qualified to work for you, that you would reconsider if you found out she was educated?

Your barrista has an artsy fartsy degree. We need some of them to make the world go round, but that's a BA degree. Not what I was talking about, and not a very effective counter point.

 

[joedodge]

It's a hard life but I'm proud to say I go to the shop and work 10 hrs a day like my dad and his dad did. I'm not rich but earn a good living and I'm happy and my sons happy. All the young people ( and I'm only 25) want to go to college and make a 100k out of the box and be the boss. The world needs ditch diggers too, its what built our country as long as your happy do what's best for you school wasn't for me so I went to trade school and started my career and still have friends in college and ones who can't find jobs all of us that went into trades though are happy and working. Do what makes you happy and is best for you it takes all kinds.

 

[slip knot]

I see both sides here, I feel I have been held back at times because a lack of formal education but I have several guys currently working for me that did graduate with a fancy degree and they are doing the exact same job I did.

The degree cant make up for a lack of ambition!

 

[0311Grunt]

I hate statements like this. What's wrong with working in a factory? Why do you think everything is manufactured outside of the US now. There is nothing wrong with working a line in a factory. Lots of Americans did it in the past and lived just fine.

There's nothing wrong with working in a factory. However, if you choose that, don't complain about meager wages and poor job security. If you have the ability and opportunity to obtain an education that gives you skills and knowledge that not everyone has, you should use it to secure a more lucrative job with better prospects.

The problem isnt people looking down at factory work, the problem is people being content with good enough. In our country, people have all the opportunity in the world. To toss that all aside and take a factory job, when you could accomplish so much more is honestly a waste of potential and opportunity.

 

[joedodge]

It is but if we all went to college and up to our eyes in debt who would build houses, fix cars cut your grass, pave the rds, and such it takes all kinds

 

[0311Grunt]

OP,

If you take nothing else from this thread, take this:

Anyone that counsels you away from getting a college degree is an IMBECILE. Are there people that are successful without degrees? Yes, there are. But for most people, the lack of a degree is a severe impediment. Once you get it, no one can take it away and it will ALWAYS be a lever for negotiating more $$$ and responsibility.

 

[0311Grunt]

It is but if we all went to college and up to our eyes in debt who would build houses, fix cars cut your grass, pave the rds, and such it takes all kinds

Sure, but 'smart' people shouldnt be cutting grass or paving roads.

 

[0311Grunt]

And a source of being in debt and 6 years behind.
Please understand that college is for lots of parents, a warehouse for kids they do not want at home any longer and they'll pay ANYTHING to get the slacker out and a potential boost.



Believe as you like, justify your choice as you like, negate any opposing view as you like.
Your education is showing.

Forgive me if I come across as personally insulting, but you sound like you are a bit older and not really in tune with how the modern work force functions.

The days of graduating HS and going into a blue collar job that you could work in till you hit retirement, retire and draw a pension are over. In today's market, you MUST compete. One of the things thayt makes a person more attractive as an employee over another candidate is education. A person with a BA/BS has more options than a person with similar experience and no BA/BS.

Nobody can say that education is a replacement for experience. HOWEVER, there is no rule that says you cant have experience AND be educated.

 

[0311Grunt]

I will not comment on the polar opposite views posted just moments apart by the same poster.

I worded my thoughts poorly.

College isn't for everyone and shouldn't be. But if a person has the desire and drive to obtain and education, they should go for it.