About to pull the trigger!

[eggspeed1]

Greetings all!!,
My name is Jarrod, I'm a 27 year old guy from new england who for the past 2 years has worked for himself (restoring wheels, detailing and some on the low mechanic work :stickoutt)and has decided being a business owner is not for me. I would just so much rather work designated hours for a predetermined pay. Having to worry and wonder whats to be of me in the future drives me absolutely banana sandwich, which brings me to where i am at....a crossroads in life if you will.

I have been a car fanatic since i was old enough to hold objects. As a 3 year old strolling down the street with my mother i could name 85% (make and model) of the cars on the street as we passed......and this was a re-occurring situation everytime we left the house lol. At the age of 6 i performed my first oil change and was laying mig beads by the age of 12. I am in no way shape or form saying i am some gift to vehicles....however when it comes to turning a wrench you can most certainly say "i got it". In short, my entire life outside doing whats expected of me has revolved around cars. I have held mediocre dealership mechanic jobs and despite working for a moron the majority of the time i would still manage to be excited to go to work. The only problem i had with those jobs were the minimal pay.

So here we are....im 3 years away from being 30...im living in my mothers house and my girlfriend and I have big dreams.....TIME FOR ME TO MAKE A MOVE!!... I have been in negotiation with a uti recruiter in the past and due to them setting off my bullshit alarm i refrained from making this move in the past, however i was just basically looking into the basic uti program and not step at this point. Honestly i also was more concerned with partying and having fun at that point and now im looking to start a family. I have been reading others testimates to step and even reading about the shit end of the stick in the situation, im still intrigued.....I am well aware that i need a 3.6gpa or higher (going for 4.0 baby...i aim for perfection) and a 98%+ attendance rate....Im also aware that i would be surrounded by posers who think they want to work on cars and wont actually take the program seriously...I applaud these folks because they will be the ones to make me stand out...i intend on going into the program alone and coming out alone ..the only people i want to bullshit with is the instructors....

Ok let me wrap this up. I WOULD LOVEEEEE to get input from my future bmw employed brethren. Please sir's i would much appreciate any input and advice that pertains to my situation. HERES THE FACTS.

- I live in R.I. and there are no community colleges or tech schools that i know of in the area that offer a automotive program that competes with uti of norwood ma (45 mins from me) so i will be aiming to go there
- I want to attend step....the closest uti taught step location is in florida...any closer locations to R.I. where i can take step?
- I only want to attend U.T.I because i am a bmw enthusiast that would love to attend the step program in hopes to becomes a certified tech. Due to this nature i would like any pointers ( im allready aware i have to work as if my life depends on this program) to help ensure my acceptance into the program.

Again all input is welcomed, encouraged and appreciated. IF there are any new england bmw techs that would be willing to mentor me in any way shape or form and help in the grooming process of me achieving my goal it will be welcomed and appreciated as well...... I just want this to happen more then anything in my life...so i want all the help i can get..Thank you Bimmerforums and thank you to my fellow BMW enthusiasts/ techs!

-Jarrod P.:help

[gil64]

there is step in nj the bmw headquarters.

[eggspeed1]

there is step in nj the bmw headquarters.

ahh yess.....short and sweet...that one sentence was very helpful...thank you sir!!!.....Jersey is much more tolerable then fla....in the sense that i can drive home on the weekends :buttrock.......however i would go so far as attending this course in bombay india if it was required haha

[skippy918]

have you checked out mass bay community college? (i don't know anything about them, however they seem close and they are a partner school with STEP)

http://bmwstep.com/

[eggspeed1]

I have looked into massbay and it seems like if i were to go theyre route i would have to score a sponsorship with a dealer prior to signing up with the program......any one else have any info on massbay?

[Pinzon89]

Not sure about mass bay but try and stay away from UTI. I went there learned alot, had fun, and got into STEP. But tuition rates is un-realistic. I would say your heading in the right direction looking at your other options. . But also let me say...right now is probably the worst time to get into the industry. I was told that when I was looking into UTI two years ago and was hoping that times would change..and yet the industry has only gotten worse. . times are slower and warrantie is cracking down in every way they can... I hear from all the senior techs about how great of a career it used to be..and now it's just an ok one. Not trying to discourage you just giving my opinion. . Proceed with caution pretty much.. make sure it's what you really want...Good Luck man!

[eggspeed1]

I read alot about the industry not being what it used to...but then on the other hand i read that in some areas the pay and hours are fine....Which leads me to this conclusion .... i think overall job quality is basically region/area specific....i am also very confident in the dealerships close by...im just going to take the red pill already and see how far the rabbit hole goes. =)

[gil64]

very good neo

[Pinzon89]

Well good luck and start studying! PM or just post if you have any questions. Going to be a fun ride...:buttrock

[bowmang]

well... i would also avoid UTI like the plague.

have you heard of Baran insitute of technology? (actually.. in doing a little research it looks like it's owned by lincoln tech now... that could be a good thing) anyways.. it's located in Windsor, CT, which is about halfway between hartford and springfield, mass. i went there about 5 years ago, and i thought it was a great program. i don't know what's changed since then, but when i went they threw scholarships around like they were nothing... i ended up getting a full ride. even with no scholarships though, it was half the price of UTI. i got a great education, and we were able to work on our own vehicles as well as "customer" vehicles, who would make a small donation to the school in return for the work... i really liked this because it was working on real cars with real issues... not a bugged half car that 400 other students have messed with. i suggest looking into it. you will definitely still get the same retards who are just there to waste good oxygen... but i've learned that any school, especiialy tech school... will have that problem.

have you talked to Inskip BMW? you should go over and talk to the service manager before you commit to anything, and just ask if they ever offer sponsorships to STEP... they won't give you one until you finish the auto program, but at least you'll know if they offer it or not.

also... and quite off topic, how's the weather over there? i'm going to be in Coventry next week... haven't been back in about 6 years.

[Broox]

so...not only are you an NTE, but you have $0.00 in school loans. You, sir, are a model of success...

[bowmang]

so...not only are you an NTE, but you have $0.00 in school loans. You, sir, are a model of success...


haha.. thanks. i thought i was pretty lucky too, then my fiance came along with a very large school loan that needs paying off... and being a stay at home mom, that's on me!

so the powers that be got me back for that one...

[eggspeed1]

well... i would also avoid UTI like the plague.

have you heard of Baran insitute of technology? (actually.. in doing a little research it looks like it's owned by lincoln tech now... that could be a good thing) anyways.. it's located in Windsor, CT, which is about halfway between hartford and springfield, mass. i went there about 5 years ago, and i thought it was a great program. i don't know what's changed since then, but when i went they threw scholarships around like they were nothing... i ended up getting a full ride. even with no scholarships though, it was half the price of UTI. i got a great education, and we were able to work on our own vehicles as well as "customer" vehicles, who would make a small donation to the school in return for the work... i really liked this because it was working on real cars with real issues... not a bugged half car that 400 other students have messed with. i suggest looking into it. you will definitely still get the same retards who are just there to waste good oxygen... but i've learned that any school, especiialy tech school... will have that problem.

have you talked to Inskip BMW? you should go over and talk to the service manager before you commit to anything, and just ask if they ever offer sponsorships to STEP... they won't give you one until you finish the auto program, but at least you'll know if they offer it or not.

also... and quite off topic, how's the weather over there? i'm going to be in Coventry next week... haven't been back in about 6 years.

A. Baran institute....have never heard of this fine establishment...definately going to look into it.....thank you sooooo much for the heads up..

B. I have yet to speak to anyone from any dealership.....going to head to inskip and bmw of newport tomorrowww!

C. New england weather....lol last week it was like 60 during the day with showers....40 at night ......today it was 89 and as sunny as a raisin bran box.

D. thank you so much for your input .....responses like yours is the reason i made this thread!!

[skippy918]

well the good thing about Lincoln taking over the Baran Institute is that the first thing they changed and upgraded is the tuition, a virtual bargain at $23k!

You can only hope that for this privelage of paying more, they didn't change what sounds like a fine automotive program to um the Lincoln curriculum.

[bowmang]

A. Baran institute....have never heard of this fine establishment...definately going to look into it.....thank you sooooo much for the heads up..

B. I have yet to speak to anyone from any dealership.....going to head to inskip and bmw of newport tomorrowww!

C. New england weather....lol last week it was like 60 during the day with showers....40 at night ......today it was 89 and as sunny as a raisin bran box.

D. thank you so much for your input .....responses like yours is the reason i made this thread!!

no problem... just know the most important thing.. whatever you choose will be the right choice as long as you work hard and stay determined through it.


well the good thing about Lincoln taking over the Baran Institute is that the first thing they changed and upgraded is the tuition, a virtual bargain at $23k!

You can only hope that for this privelage of paying more, they didn't change what sounds like a fine automotive program to um the Lincoln curriculum.

damn, that sucks... i think it was $16k when i went. it was like any tech school really... it was hit or miss with the instructors, and that's what makes the main difference. i had excellent instructors in everything except transmissions, and surprise surprise, that's what gives me the biggest issue to this day (they aren't too complicated.. but everything else comes fairly easily to me now, where i usually need to think for a little when it comes to an auto trans).

the curriculum was pretty good, it was set up much differently than UTI though. there were four classes, each 3 months long... chassis, engine performance (mechanical stuff), engine electrical (electrical stuff.. obviously) and transmissions. you stick with the same instructor for the entire 3 months... so that can turn out really good, or really bad.

i had a good time, and i enjoyed the area... but i worked pretty hard... which was quite a bit different than about 95% of the people there. the instructors can see that, and they were always there to help out if you really wanted it.. i stayed late most days, and the best part of the entire thing... is that i got a 4.0 and really all i did is build my own 10 second camaro, which i still have:buttrock

[skippy918]

I am always amazed at how much the private colleges charge and in a lot of instances, not that many class hours, and as you mentioned bowmang, and not having the ability to work on customer cars

I guess it's hit and miss on colleges, instructors, but i guess i'm pretty lucky

I went to Cypress College in Orange County California - it was free as I was a high school student at the time and Cali has free college for high school students, but even still the tuition is really reasonable compared to the private schools

The programs core courses, advanced electrical, transmissions, engine rebuild, engine performance, brakes and chassis are all 12 unit classes - you pay $26 unit = $1560 for all five core classes, each of those classes had 18 hours week x 18 weeks = 324 hours each class ....in addition to working on brand new factory cars.... lots of customer cars... and if you want they hook you up with a dealer for practical while you are at school (T-Ten so it's a Lexus or Toyota dealer)

The other courses ranged but usually are 5 credits, basic electrical, emissions & adv emmisions, hvac, advanced engine performance, engine blueprinting, hybrids & alternative fuels etc and were on average 8 hours a week.

Total college tuition over two (plus) years is $2000 plus books.... versus $20-30k

[bowmang]

wow, that sounds like a really solid program, especially for a CC.

while you were there, did you have to take regular courses as well (math, english etc.) or was it all auto?

that was one thing that i liked at the time... i just did 8 hours a day of pure auto, it was great.... but now as i'm considering an engineering degree... i kinda wish i had some general classes so i didn't have to waste the time now.

[skippy918]

I just did the auto classes, but to get your associates you need to pick up 8 arts and sciences, 1 PE and 1 cultural diversity class - i'm heading off to UNOH next year so I haven't bothered to do those as I will do my AA there.

Ya the program is pretty sweet, good mix of practical and theory and lots of opportunity for hands on, some instructors better than others but all were good... i guess the downside is that it will take you two years instead of 1, but then again, my preference is I like to have more in depth... that's why I don't mind spending more time at UNOH... the way I look at it... I'm investing in myself.

the best thing was how much cheaper community colleges are than the alternative private schools... I can never get myself to spend that much, i don't know, maybe money doesn't come that easy and I don't want the boat anchor of student loans... but I'd rather spend 1/10th the amount... but I guess not all CC's are that good, as somone pointed out on another thread.... still.... if you are going to travel to a private campus... why not find a really good CC and travel to that campus?

[STEPdad]

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[eggspeed1]

Thank you for your interest in BMW STEP. We accept students from any NATEF certified post secondary school. We do not require that you attend a specific school to apply to the STEP program. We partner with several schools in your area; UTI, Lincoln Tech(Baran), MassBay and and New England Institute of Technology in Warwick RI. If the STEP level I program is not for you, MassBay offers a BMW Associates Degree program taught by a former BMW Master Technician and STEP graduate that will provide you the opportunity to graduate with BMW level 3 certification. Please look at all of these schools and choose the one that best fits your needs. More information can be found at our website www.bmwstep.com

David Rice
National Technical Training Leader
BMW STEP

David,
Thank you so much for your input on my thread, coming from someone of your caliber it feels good to have reassurance that i will have support throughout the process. I have looked into all schools local and briefly glanced at the MassBay site. When i looked at it there was no info regarding the step program...just an automotive program. However, now that you have informed me of there being a bmw associates program with an opportunity to graduate with level 3 i am intrigued to go in that direction. I would only need two years dealership experience after graduation to become a master tech correct? Is there any possibility i could acquire the email address of this BMW instructor @ Mass Bay?
Well in conclusion i would like to thank you again.
-Jarrod P.

UPDATE: I found the BMW associates program on the Mass Bay site...I am%99.9 sure i am going to take this route....thank you again for your help!

[STEPdad]

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[eggspeed1]

eggspeed,
send me your email address and I'll give you the info

david.rice@bmwna.com

email sent your way Mr. Rice!!:buttrock

[Pinzon89]

Hey Mr Rice,
I'll be up there in mid-November for the diag class. Still have any of those old parts we talked about? Let me know. I am still interested. Also if you were able to grab lunch one day that would be great, have a lot to talk about. . Take care.

Erick

[STEPdad]

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