I need a job...

[endlessmyk]

Yeah. I'm graduating Wyotech in September (6 weeks left!) I've taken Collision/Refinishing, Chassis Fabrication and High Performance Engines. Now I've gotta find a decent shop in central PA to work at.

Everyone has been shoving the body repair stuff down my throat... that's not really want I want to get into. Sure, I don't mind a little repair here and there, love painting, but I don't want to make my life pulling 5 hour dents...

So, anybody have suggestions for shops that might be looking for some help?

AGAIN... my question is if you know of shops in the Central PA area that are looking for help. Not as to why I shouldn't be doing this, or anything else. If you still feel like passing along all of your infinite wisdom as to why I should quit before i start, please feel free to PM it to me. KTHX

[ThePrimerSuspect]

as a tech, my suggestion is to go to college and get a degree in something useful. get out while your young, this business SUCKS ASS!!!

[ThePrimerSuspect]

im just giving you my opinion. you didnt ask for it, but hey, no one warned me.

[Kiel]

Well I bet that was the advice he wanted to hear, after dropping all that cash on WyoTech! ;)

[goodfella732]

Originally Posted by ThePrimerSuspect

as a tech, my suggestion is to go to college and get a degree in something useful. get out while your young, this business SUCKS ASS!!!

I second that one. I didnt get the warning til I actually got in a shop and had all the old heads telling me to leave while Im young and still stand up straight. Should have listened.

[goodfella732]

I guess you can say I was your run of the mill dealership wrench turner. Unless you find a performance shop that will take you in right outta school and let you learn the skill then you options are kinda limited to opening your own business, body shops, or garages. You sound like every kid that came right out of automotive school. Wants to do all the big cool stuff without starting from the bottom and learning the real field. It isn't like the school make it out to be man.

[goodfella732]

and Ive got 6 on you in the field. Whats your point?

[cranshinibon]

just bc youre being an asshole i hope you dont get a job...they're giving you their advice and you're ****ting on it like an e-thug hard ass

[endlessmyk]

While I'm sure everyone has valid opinions of why I should or shouldn't be in the automotive field, I really don't care to hear them. I've heard them from teachers, my uncle who builds race cars, the rest of my family, and plenty of random people, but it's what I plan on doing, and what I want to do. So, guess what, I'm doing it. So if anyone has anything to add in relation to a shop that is hiring, please do. If not, Click the little PM link.

[cranshinibon]

check turbotek

[endlessmyk]

I'm probably still going to send my resume, but the only thing I don't know about is the drive... It's out near Philly, right?

[teh DIRT]

so you took collision and body but you don't want to do it? Weird.

Most of what everyone saying IS true. The field isn't the greatest, the pay is run of the mill, the work is probably crappy for starters. But hey, if you LOVE to do this kind of work, than none of that matters. But where you are going wrong is with your expectations I think. I know that I will be doing monkey work for a good portion of my first years in the field....thats how things work. BUT I am ok with that because working on cars, whether it be pulling engine, or changing oil..is what i love.

This is coming from a kid who just started tech school 3 weeks ago at the age of 21.

[yellow2000S/R]

Come December, I will be in the same field as you looking for a job.

Ive got Trim/Upholstery and Collision/Refinishing done. Currently in ASM and then going to Chassis Fab.

I'm staying with the parents for around a year... I'm currently 19 yrs old. But Ive been on the ZX2 forums long enough, I am known for my work.

Since I'm staying with the parents for a while, I have started fixing up their garage. They paid for the insulation (they wanted it done anyhow) and I put up pegboard on the side and front walls, put up 7 4' long dual fluorescent bulbs, and framed out and installed an air conditioner in the back wall.


I already have people asking for work... Start small man, don't expect everything to happen at once and be rich and the best in the field. Find some side work and charge less than local shops do. The 18th I have a guy coming over and I'm shaving his door handles, antenna, tailgate, and pulling approx 8 hrs worth of dents. Natephoto (a member on this site) has been talking about me doing his interior in his 240... Those 2 jobs right there are around $1,100 in my pocket for around 45 hrs of work (thats what I charged, it will take me longer to actually complete the work).

I have 3 members pending on the ZX2 forums for paintjobs, and a member on the nicoclub forum pending for some body and paintwork on his 240.



I'm telling ya, side jobs is where its at for making money when your beginning. Jobs at shops will help with short cuts, learning the trade better overall, and just different ways in general to do everything.


Granted I took trim, which starts at approx $25 an hour, I think I'm going to do good.


Ive been working on a site to show my work, but I don't have many pics, its mostly recent stuff which isn't much because WyoTech is taking up so much of my time.

[99SL2_Modder]

I've never had a problem doing this work. People that whine were probably expecting themselves to get office ass.

I love my work, and I get satisfaction from seeing every vehicle I work on hit the road and be fine.

I've been around engines and cars since I was born. I love it.

[SayNoToPistons]

I need a job too.

[endlessmyk]

Yeah, aware that I'm going to be doing **** for start. Would rather not, but oh well. I've put in my resume at dealerships and junk in the area, it'd just be pretty damn sweet if I could get into a performance shop doing junk for the start.
All my teachers have told me about side jobs and that's the best thing to do starting out, so yeah, I've already counted on that.

As for the collision/refinishing and not wanting to do it, yeah it's kinda weird. I don't mind doing it, I know I need something basic, and I figure I can get jobs doing that to help pay some bills. I just don't wanna be stuck my whole life pulling dents. The overall plan is to work at a shop for a while, then when my girl is done with school we're moving out of PA and I'll hopefully be opening my own shop.

As for Wyotech taking up all your time, I hear that. I've been trying to build my shop site so I can at least start selling stuff (I've already got my business license, vendors, all my tax stuff, etc...) but just haven't really been able to because of that place.