This is topic Anyone taken auto tech programs at College of Alameda, LMC, Chabot, CCC? in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by getjobdone (Member # 4666) on :
 
So after two years of workin a half-assed part-time job and being broke as shiet, I decided to get started in an auto tech program at the schools aforementioned. Basically, i'd like to become a smog tech initially, and my understanding is that before you're eligible to take the smog tech exam the BAR requires you to have a certain amount of experience OR an auto tech degree.

Im choosing the latter and I just wanted to hear about people's experiences with any of the auto tech programs in the bay. Im primarily askin about College of Alameda because thats closest to me, but LMC in pitt and Chabot in San leandro/Hayward and CCC in san pablo aren't ridiculously far from me. Are there any programs that are exceptionally good or should I just go with Alameda since its the closest with that dept.?

Also, Im open to any advice regarding any aspect of the direction im going, let me know whatsup I value most opinions on this board...

[Whoo Whooooo!] [burnout]
 
Posted by SHOalex (Member # 7720) on :
 
I think any of those are all pretty similar another thing you wanna think about is working for like a public transit agency like AC transit, VTA, sam trans, and all places like that youll need a little bit of experience and some general knowledge but they pay pretty damn good and no need to deal with BAR and smoging or anything and maker very good money with really good benefits and its union
 
Posted by Carless (Member # 9119) on :
 
Im taking auto tech at chabot. But to get your degree, you have to take all your general ed and the auto tech classes too. I got about 7 classes left, should get done wit em next year, but I still have to finish my general ed. They said its a lot better than goin to wyotech or uti or a trade school, cuz if you get a job at like the city or pg nd e or somewhere wit a fleet, they won't accept any of that trade scoo trainin. A lot of people in my classes were people that went to wyotech and stuff and had to take the same classes at chabot to work with a fleet.
 
Posted by SHOalex (Member # 7720) on :
 
Thats not necesserily true they took my experience from wyotech at my job but you over pay at those trade schools the only good thing is you finish alot quicker i got lucky i guess i mean i have to pay back 23K but my job pays +50K a year [patriot] [Whoo Whooooo!]
 
Posted by fasthatch (Member # 7277) on :
 
i am good freinds with one of the teachers at lmc he was one of the apreness (sp) that i ve had over the years an he knows an loves what he's doing
 
Posted by Carless (Member # 9119) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SHOalex:
Thats not necesserily true they took my experience from wyotech at my job but you over pay at those trade schools the only good thing is you finish alot quicker i got lucky i guess i mean i have to pay back 23K but my job pays +50K a year [patriot] [Whoo Whooooo!]
Yeah that's true. They told me id have to take out a student loan on top of the financial aid that id be gettin, which wouldn't be a whole lot. They said itd be from 28k to 35k. But you get doen in 14-16 months. Didn't feel it was worth it, when I can spend a extra 3 months at chabot and get the same thing for cheaper. I know acouple people that went to wyotech and they turned out to be really good technicians.
 
Posted by Infamous5.0 (Member # 1745) on :
 
I failed the state exam to become a smog tech twice [Frown] I pass the rules and regulations with ease but the rest is hard I got a 62 and its 69 to pass anyone know how I can pass?
 
Posted by fasthatch (Member # 7277) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Infamous5.0:
I failed the state exam to become a smog tech twice [Frown] I pass the rules and regulations with ease but the rest is hard I got a 62 and its 69 to pass anyone know how I can pass?
just study i've had mine since 2002
 
Posted by getjobdone (Member # 4666) on :
 
I appreciate the input for sure keep it comin. I definitely agree that wyotech is waayyy too much $$, plus I've also heard its not even considered that much more prestigious or worth it to have than just a degree from a community college.
 
Posted by jmcclesk (Member # 1355) on :
 
Skyline college has i VERY good auto program. IMO pay for schools are way too overpriced. back in the late 80's i did my first auto year at a pay for school and my 2nd year at a skyline college. I recived a BETTER schooling for a LOT less money. I actually recived 2k in grant money which was more than i paid in school bills.
Any of the bus transits in the bay area are good. I left the flat rate world in 2001 and i now work for srt in sacramneto. the pay is ok, BUT the bennies are great!!!
 
Posted by 2stangs69-91 (Member # 1951) on :
 
It is a good way to go. I got a AA degree in Auto Tech from Lassen college along time ago. It looks great on a resume. I worked side by side with trade school grads at dealerships all the time. They did not have any better training then I got. I also went fleet mechanic for UPS 14 years ago. It is a very good job ,having a AA degree helped me get in the door.
 
Posted by Tony Montana (Member # 8288) on :
 
Alameda College is the way to go man, instructors there are on point. They pretty much can help you with whatever direction you want to go in and your not rushed through the process. I went to school there for about two years and in the process got hired right away. Only problem is the auto industry is bad right now and work isnt what it used to be. I advise take the classes and alameda save u alot of money while still providing you with the best instructors out there.
 
Posted by getjobdone (Member # 4666) on :
 
Right on, Im definitely excited for the challenge and it seems I'll probably be enrolling at Alameda as San Bruno is a significantly longer commute.

Ay Tony Montana, Im curious when did you finish at CoA and how you found work?
 
Posted by Tony Montana (Member # 8288) on :
 
A good resume will go along way . I finished COA in 07 because i need to start working. What i did was post my resume on monster and craigslist. I got a job at a shop in castro valley but the auto industry was in alot better shape then it is now. I also worked for snap on as tech support for their diagnostic equipment so alameda college will get you far if your willing to put in the effort. Im not an og with alot of experience im only 22 but if you are confident in yourself nobody can deny your goals. Good luck and get your eyes on the prize. [patriot]
 




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