Complete lifestyle change... transferring schools.. opinions?

[420sx]

So Im considering transferring schools. Right now Im in school in Rhode Island, at a school thats costing me $40k a year. Dont get me wrong, I love the school. Well, I hate the school, but I love the people in it. But Ive never been a good student. Even in grammar school, i never got exceptional grades, even though I have a "high aptitude and high potential." Im smart, and I know I am. But I CAN NOT put effort into something that I dont care about. Ive tried... if the class doesnt interest me, I do the bare minimum, and pass with a low C. Its my signature...

Anyway, I feel like Im wasting my time and money by attending this overpriced school thats over 300 miles away from home, and Im not really taking advantage of the education I'm being provided with. Im currently a business major, which makes sense as Id eventually like to own my own shop. But I feel that I dont need to study business primarily for 4 years to run a shop.

My plan is to transfer to Universal Technical Institute to learn all my car stuff, and simultaniously attend BCCC to get that college degree. I want the college degree as something to fall back on if I decide 10 years from now that I dont want to work on cars anymore.

The big factor for me is happiness. I hate the traditional education system... you know- classrooms, books, homework. I feel like Im still in high school. For some reason, (and I think we all share a similar feeling) but cars really click for me. I really enjoy learning about them, working on them, and just being around them. I've wanted to get a career in the automotive industry for a long time- the only thing thats held me back is that Im worried there isnt enough money in it. Im not looking to be a millionaire... Id just like to be able to support a family comfortably, which I feel I can do with the proper education.

In high school, I decided to go to Tech School (MBIT) for a year. I took a Welding class. I LOVED it. I blew through that class. The first year alone was supposed to be stick welding only. I finished stick, did oxy fuel cutting, welding, brazing, soldering, and then moved on to MIG. This is what makes me think that UTI is the right school for me.

What do you guys think? Specifically those of you who DO work in the automotive industry? How do you like it? Do you recommend it?

Does working on cars day in and day out kill your passion to wrench on your own ride?

[Scapegoat]

do what you love and love what you do

[namdoogwerdna]

I agree with scapegoat. IMO, life is too short to waste it doing something that you don't like. Unfortunately, you do need to be aware that very few shops are making money right now, and cars are getting harder and harder to work on and service outside of the dealer. Or were you going for a performance shop? Either way, I would absolutely recommend at least getting the college degree on the side if you want something to fall back on. You already have a handful of credits, finish it out at BCCC.

[TGilb2007]

Gotta do what you wanna do.



And wait, I thought I was the only TST member in RI???? What the hell man? What school are you in out in Newport? Salve Regina?

[420sx]

Originally Posted by namdoogwerdna

I agree with scapegoat. IMO, life is too short to waste it doing something that you don't like. Unfortunately, you do need to be aware that very few shops are making money right now, and cars are getting harder and harder to work on and service outside of the dealer. Or were you going for a performance shop? Either way, I would absolutely recommend at least getting the college degree on the side if you want something to fall back on. You already have a handful of credits, finish it out at BCCC.

Good points- thats definetly something to consider.

Although cars are getting more difficult... I dont see the automotive industry going anywhere, any time soon. (its not like Im looking for a job on the airlines...)

I definetly plan to finish up my college at at least bucks... my sister thinks I should go to a "real" college. I dont see why.. bucks offers the same education at a cheaper price. The "real" colleges offer "the college lifestyle," which ive experienced.

The "college lifestyle" is just 10g's a year to live in a dorm and get drunk all the time. Lame.

But it would be a shame to waste all of these credits, and essentially... the past two years.

Has anyone on here attended UTI? Will I be able to take college courses at the same time?

[420sx]

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

Gotta do what you wanna do.



And wait, I thought I was the only TST member in RI???? What the hell man? What school are you in out in Newport? Salve Regina?

Yeah, Im a Sophmore at Salve.

[Scapegoat]

I'll expand on my own thoughts a bit now...

you get out of life what you put in, generally... (that's the optimists view... most people just get ****ed over)

Look into other majors... a business degree is boring, and everyone is going to have a business degree anyway.

If you're as smart as you say you are, get into a major you find interesting and use as many of those credits as possible... and apply yourself!

I'm a montco drop out. I got lucky in that I knew programming, but never took it seriously for a number of years. I struggled along for awhile... I recently landed a job programming for a huge ecommerce company and looooove it.

I plan on going back to school p/t to pick up a Computer Science degree. So I'm going ass backwards, I found out what I wanted to do before getting a degree...

But you've already got an ass load of money invested in yourself... go for more grants and crap like that to lower what you're paying and finish, but switch gears. Take a good hard look at what the school offers and see if anything fits...

[lownslow95]

I thought pretty much the same way you felt about when I went to school to become an Electrican. I seriously tried as hard as I could, and I just didn't succeed at it. There was a lot of math involved, and I'm not to good at math. I managed to barley pass, but I told my parents how I felt, and I thought they would reem me a new @$$ hole. I was wrong. I was also going to do what you did with the buisness management. I had singned up for it, and by the time I realized that being an electrican wasn't for me, I never went back. Right now I'm trying to get money to come back in because when I was away at college I wasn't making any money. I was basically living off of $50 a week. And now I had singed up for the Plumbing program that the college I had attended last year, and now there is a waiting list to get into that program.

Here are the links to the program that I attended last year:
http://www.stevenscollege.edu/301632.ihtml
http://www.stevenscollege.edu/301633.ihtml

I enjoyed going there last year. It was hands on learning. It was based on putting in a main pannel to feed the whole house with (classroom) and had different projects. Had to wire multiple appplications like an outlet, feeding a light switch, which in return was feeding a light source itself. The school was in charge of building a house. The masonry students were in charge of doing all the brick work, the carpenter students framed the house, the plumbing students did the plumbing, and the electrial tech students did the wiring of the whole house. Putting in the pannel, the actual entry point from the electric company to the pannel, to the rest of the house. So it was basically a good learning experience, because you actually got to work and see what it was like to work on a new construction house.

And this is what I'm on a waiting list for:
http://www.stevenscollege.edu/303126.ihtml
http://www.stevenscollege.edu/303127.ihtml

[namdoogwerdna]

I think you can take college courses at the same time, but they would need to be night classes

[420sx]

Thanks for the advice Scapegoat.

I was actually an education major last semester. This is my first semester as a business major (but not the first time ive considered transferring). The major isnt the problem. I know its boring, but I can learn it (or at the very least, get the skills I need to run a business from it). My main thing is... should I be paying $40,000 a year to learn this.

I cant justify spending 40k here to learn the same stuff I would learn at bucks for 5k. That extra $35k a year could be put towards a house, or starting a business, rather than pissing it away on an overpriced school.

I agree with you that education is paramount to success, but I need to make sure Im getting the RIGHT education that will put me in a direction that I want to go. My approach for the last two years has been "college first, tech school later if I want to."

Im pretty sure I want to at this point. I know that this college isnt for me, and the only reason Im still here is because of my friends. I feel that I could get the same education im getting here, elsewhere... for less money. And still be able to attend UTI at the same time, and enjoy what I'm doing.

[TGilb2007]

Originally Posted by Sirfallsalot243

Thanks for the advice Scapegoat.

I was actually an education major last semester. This is my first semester as a business major (but not the first time ive considered transferring). The major isnt the problem. I know its boring, but I can learn it (or at the very least, get the skills I need to run a business from it). My main thing is... should I be paying $40,000 a year to learn this.

I cant justify spending 40k here to learn the same stuff I would learn at bucks for 5k. That extra $35k a year could be put towards a house, or starting a business, rather than pissing it away on an overpriced school.

I agree with you that education is paramount to success, but I need to make sure Im getting the RIGHT education that will put me in a direction that I want to go. My approach for the last two years has been "college first, tech school later if I want to."

Im pretty sure I want to at this point. I know that this college isnt for me, and the only reason Im still here is because of my friends. I feel that I could get the same education im getting here, elsewhere... for less money. And still be able to attend UTI at the same time, and enjoy what I'm doing.

Ive actually been down this road too honstly, since I moved to RI from DE to start college, and live "the lifestyle" so to speak. Started off as a business/web commerce major freshmen year, and within 1 term, I dropped that, and got into Network Engineering. As for the school being overpriced, you gotta look at a couple of things. First off, its Newport dude, everything there is WAY over priced. Secondly, YOU HAVE MANSIONS ON YOUR CAMPUS!!! lol..... so there are a couple of reasons its too expensive. Add in the fact that also when someone sees "Salve Regina" on a resume, or "BCCC", sadly, the employer will want to speak to the Salve grad, since he has taken 4 years to do the degree at an accredited university vs a community college. DOnt take that the wrong way, since Communicty College is still better then nothing, but it does not match a 4 year university. As for taking night classes for a B.S or A.S degree, and day classes for automotive, you might find yourself burnt in no time. That, and that is gonna be pretty damn expensive too.

And even this is coming from a JWU grad.... where I thought I was paying too much for school.

[Honest_Bob]

Sounds like a technical school is for you.

[K-Rex]

Spend a semester abroad, thank me later.

You just need a change of prospective. Moving back home will not offer what you are looking for. A few months down the road at home and you will find that you have the same problems.


BTW, Salve Regina has a really nice campus!

[420sx]

Yeah, I agree... Salve has an AWESOME campus. I love the campus- its the one of the main things that made me decide on salve over any other schools. But aside from the awesome campus and people... it is after all, a Catholic school. Dry campus, very strict, etc. The education is mediocre at best in my opinion (I put in almost no effort and get C's). Dont get me wrong- its a great school for the right people... I just dont think its right for me. Im a hands-on kind of guy. I'm honestly not sure if college was right for me to begin with. Ive always questioned whether or not I should be here... I just dont feel like the 'college type.' My parents wanted me to go to college, so I did. I gave it two full years, and Im still having feelings that a technical school would be better for me.

I just dont want to be the kid that waits until senior year just to fail out; or the kid who graduates and gets a job in the feild of his major, and hates it. I want to do something that I love, not something that pays out (although both wouldnt be a bad thing).

Salve does look better on an application than a community college would... but a community college looks better than 3 years of salve and no degree... For me, going to Bucks would be "school" and UTI would just be "fun."

To make things more interesting, Im already locked into a lease for a house here in Newport next year...

[TGilb2007]

well, since you are already locked into a lease for next year, and you have 2 years left, my thought is that by the time that lease is done, you have 1 year of school left. Which, with only a year left, might as well finish there, since you already nearly done with school.

I have a roommate in Providence now who wont go back for his last year of school, which I think is stupid. But, this is also the 2nd time he has dropped out.

And as for K-rex's comment about going aborad, see if Salve has it, and look into it. From everyone I know who did it, it changed their WHOLE outlook on school

[Roadkilled75]

If you're going to end up finishing that business degree, do transfer. It's not like you're going to Harvard and the degree will take a huge loss in reputation if completed at a community college. Plus, you'll never be able to have your own shop or even a happy family if you have a ridiculous amount of debt. I know one doctor that told me he wishes he had remained a carpenter, because he won't have his debt paid off until he is 65

I went to Lehigh because it was the most economical school [as the financial aid packages worked out, that is. It's a terribly overpriced school to begin with]. Other options included Tufts (better name) and UMD (better reputation in MD, where I had hoped to stay), but spending ~12k/year had priority over ~25k or even 14k at the state school. I'll graduate with around 70k in loans once interest and federal programs are added in, and cannot imagine someone graduating with 160k+ in debt. You'd never enjoy life...

Also, an employer in the lehigh valley has got to give more respect to a student with great grades at a local school, than someone with a C average at "some university in Rhode Island"

[TGilb2007]

Originally Posted by Roadkilled75

Also, an employer in the lehigh valley has got to give more respect to a student with great grades at a local school, than someone with a C average at "some university in Rhode Island"

Although Lehigh is a very respectable school, Salve Regina is not exactly a "hole in the wall" school in Rhode Island. My degree from a school in RI has led to various job oppertunities in a LOT of different states, one of which I am interviewing for today, and its a company in GA (they do have an office in MA).


And to go offtopic a tad, Sirfallsalot243, is ur car in RI? I dont think ive seen it around, although I am not in Newport too often.

[Roadkilled75]

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

Although Lehigh is a very respectable school, Salve Regina is not exactly a "hole in the wall" school in Rhode Island.

Sorry, wasn't saying that. I was just saying that it's not widely known in southern PA, or so I thought. Case in point: hardly anyone from my hometown near Baltimore has any idea what Lehigh is, where it is, or if it's a good school.

[NJGOAT]

The school you attend can certainly open doors for you down the road in terms of that first opportunity in the business world. After you are in the work force, your experience and accomplishments will mean far more to prospective employers than the college you attended. The general advice that I give to people and has been given to me is that unless you attend one of the top 10-20 schools in the country, your best bet is to attend a well known local school that is tops in your chosen field. Me personally, I attended Boston College. I would think it is a little more well known nationally than Salve. Now that I have 7 years in the workforce (executive level in the transportation field), the fact that I went to Boston College only leads into conversations about football, not how impressed they are that I went there.

I think you obviously need to take a step back and re-evaluate where you are at in life. If you are only two years in at Salve, then there is nothing wrong with taking a leave of absence and then going back or transferring. Just realize that transferring may cost you more earned credits than you think. However, spending another $80k at Salve to finish your degree may just not be worth it in the long run. If you were in your third year, I would say tough it out and finish your degree, but since you aren't, you have options.

As far as attending UTI and becoming a mechanic, that is all well and good and mechanics (particularly diesel techs) are in need and finding a job isn't hard. The issue you will have is that the pay rate for entry level techs (what you would be even with your UTI certification) is often not much more than what someone working in retail full time would make. Techs earn a ton of money when they apply themselves and gather experience. Until then, most have a hard time earning more than $30k a year.

When it comes to opening your own shop, that requires not only automotive knowledge on your end, but also business acumen and a solid plan, unless of course you have a ton of money that you can put into it yourself. It is also a very crowded field that is currently very hard to make a profit in, unless you are a top tier performance shop or a national chain.

Which, brings us back to the question of what you want to do. If you want to turn wrenches, leave Salve and go to UTI. Start working for a dealer or other national chain and be content not making much money until you gain enough experience to earn better pay. However, if you just want to be in the automotive field, finish your business degree at Salve or another cheaper school closer to home and start work as a service writer or other adminsitrative person in a shop or transportation company, starting at a higher salary than an entry level tech and eventually you can parlay that experience into a shop management job, or use it to open up your own place. Remember, the guys running most large shops don't turn the wrenches and most never have, they are the business end who know all about staffing, budgets and management.

[420sx]

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

well, since you are already locked into a lease for next year, and you have 2 years left, my thought is that by the time that lease is done, you have 1 year of school left. Which, with only a year left, might as well finish there, since you already nearly done with school.

I have a roommate in Providence now who wont go back for his last year of school, which I think is stupid. But, this is also the 2nd time he has dropped out.

And as for K-rex's comment about going aborad, see if Salve has it, and look into it. From everyone I know who did it, it changed their WHOLE outlook on school

Thats kind of what ive been thinking. Im already two years in, just finish it up. But i can think of 15 reasons to transfer for every one reason to stay. (see below)

Originally Posted by Roadkilled75

If you're going to end up finishing that business degree, do transfer. It's not like you're going to Harvard and the degree will take a huge loss in reputation if completed at a community college. Plus, you'll never be able to have your own shop or even a happy family if you have a ridiculous amount of debt. I know one doctor that told me he wishes he had remained a carpenter, because he won't have his debt paid off until he is 65

I went to Lehigh because it was the most economical school [as the financial aid packages worked out, that is. It's a terribly overpriced school to begin with]. Other options included Tufts (better name) and UMD (better reputation in MD, where I had hoped to stay), but spending ~12k/year had priority over ~25k or even 14k at the state school. I'll graduate with around 70k in loans once interest and federal programs are added in, and cannot imagine someone graduating with 160k+ in debt. You'd never enjoy life...

Also, an employer in the lehigh valley has got to give more respect to a student with great grades at a local school, than someone with a C average at "some university in Rhode Island"

If you want to talk numbers... here they are. Salve is roughly $43,000 a year, including room and board, spending money, food, all that nonsense. Next year ill knock off 10 grand because i wont be paying room and board, but add on 5k for rent. So for me to graduate from salve, im looking at around $80,000 more.

VERSUS: UTI is a 1 year program, and from what ive found, its about 20 grand. Bucks county community college is $1800 a semester (times four remaining semesters). So for me to attend UTI, AND graduate community college with a business degree, im looking at around $28,000. Thats $52,000 cheaper. Thats $52,000 that i could put towards opening a shop, or buying a house. I dont have loans. Ive saved enough to be able to afford either option, but for me its all about where would be money be better spent? Sure Salve is a great school- but if im not putting my full effort into it, why spend the extra coin on it?

Lets be honest here- ive NEVER been a good student. Ive always been the kid who "skated by" doing the bare minimum. Do I absorb the information? Absolutely. But if im not going to be getting the grades im capable of... it seems kind of a waste to spend SO MUCH money on it, when i could get the same education (read: Generic Brand) at a community college. I say generic brand because the school doesnt carry the NAME of a private university... but the curriculum is nearly the same.

If my plans are to open my own shop, what difference does it make what college I go to? The important thing would be the skills and knowlege that I leave with, not what school is on the diploma. Right? If im working for myself, it shouldnt make a difference whether I went to Yale or Bucks.

Originally Posted by TGilb2007

Although Lehigh is a very respectable school, Salve Regina is not exactly a "hole in the wall" school in Rhode Island. My degree from a school in RI has led to various job oppertunities in a LOT of different states, one of which I am interviewing for today, and its a company in GA (they do have an office in MA).


And to go offtopic a tad, Sirfallsalot243, is ur car in RI? I dont think ive seen it around, although I am not in Newport too often.

I agree- salve is a great school. The best one i got into (and I got into 11 schools). The issue for me is money, distance, and whether or not i'll take advantage of what salve has to offer. Im kind of feeling that regardless of where i get my diploma from, theyll both take me where I want to go.

And yes, my 240 is with me here. Look for the silver moss kouki with a slightly unmatched front bumper and a nasty 2nd gear grind.

Originally Posted by Roadkilled75

Sorry, wasn't saying that. I was just saying that it's not widely known in southern PA, or so I thought. Case in point: hardly anyone from my hometown near Baltimore has any idea what Lehigh is, where it is, or if it's a good school.

Also a good point. The average joe schmoe (or anyone really) in SE PA doesnt have a CLUE what a "salve" is. You say salve regina, people look at you with the blankest stare on their face youll ever see. "Salve who?" Its a great school- but its really only known in New England, and new england is DEFINETLY not where I want to stay.

Originally Posted by NJGOAT

The school you attend can certainly open doors for you down the road in terms of that first opportunity in the business world. After you are in the work force, your experience and accomplishments will mean far more to prospective employers than the college you attended. The general advice that I give to people and has been given to me is that unless you attend one of the top 10-20 schools in the country, your best bet is to attend a well known local school that is tops in your chosen field. Me personally, I attended Boston College. I would think it is a little more well known nationally than Salve. Now that I have 7 years in the workforce (executive level in the transportation field), the fact that I went to Boston College only leads into conversations about football, not how impressed they are that I went there.

I think you obviously need to take a step back and re-evaluate where you are at in life. If you are only two years in at Salve, then there is nothing wrong with taking a leave of absence and then going back or transferring. Just realize that transferring may cost you more earned credits than you think. However, spending another $80k at Salve to finish your degree may just not be worth it in the long run. If you were in your third year, I would say tough it out and finish your degree, but since you aren't, you have options.

As far as attending UTI and becoming a mechanic, that is all well and good and mechanics (particularly diesel techs) are in need and finding a job isn't hard. The issue you will have is that the pay rate for entry level techs (what you would be even with your UTI certification) is often not much more than what someone working in retail full time would make. Techs earn a ton of money when they apply themselves and gather experience. Until then, most have a hard time earning more than $30k a year.

When it comes to opening your own shop, that requires not only automotive knowledge on your end, but also business acumen and a solid plan, unless of course you have a ton of money that you can put into it yourself. It is also a very crowded field that is currently very hard to make a profit in, unless you are a top tier performance shop or a national chain.

Which, brings us back to the question of what you want to do. If you want to turn wrenches, leave Salve and go to UTI. Start working for a dealer or other national chain and be content not making much money until you gain enough experience to earn better pay. However, if you just want to be in the automotive field, finish your business degree at Salve or another cheaper school closer to home and start work as a service writer or other adminsitrative person in a shop or transportation company, starting at a higher salary than an entry level tech and eventually you can parlay that experience into a shop management job, or use it to open up your own place. Remember, the guys running most large shops don't turn the wrenches and most never have, they are the business end who know all about staffing, budgets and management.

Wow. Lots of good stuff here. I dont really have much to say in response, but I didnt want to leave this post unquoted. I definetly dont want to turn wrenches for the rest of my life... well, let me rephrase that. I dont want to be a "grease monkey." A low level tech who does the same bull**** oil changes and tire rotations day in and day out. I love working with my hands- all of my friends call me mr fix-it. I dont care if its cars, welding, carpentry, or whatever... i just love getting down and dirty, and actually ACCOMPLISHING something. I could never be a paper pusher- theres no feeling of accomplishment in it. But if youre working with your hands, you can look at it when youre done and say "I did that." Thats the best part for me.

My feeling is- I KNOW i want to work with my hands now. But I dont know if thats something i'll want to do for the rest of my life. If I decide 10, 20, or 30 years from now that Id rather do something else, I want to be able to do that. Basically... I want to do what i want now, without screwing myself in the future.

I just dont want to rush into this decision, and miss Salve 6months from now. Man, I dont have a freaking clue what im going to do.