On 4/20/09 I started UTI with plans on getting into BMW STEP. I found that STEP is very extensive and they ask you to not work the first 2 months in the program because of your need to study and do homework. Well, since I have kids and rent to pay, not working was just not feasable. I was going to try and tough it out but if it ended up not working out, I would have to pay them for any training they gave me.
So then I decided to go and do the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program. This would require a temporary move to the UTI campus in Avondale, AZ. No big deal. I figure I can work at Pep Boys or something while i'm there to help pay my rent and stuff. If all else fails, I can just use the extra money from my student loans for my living expenses. Then I find out I qualify for less money in AZ than I do in CA, therefore, I wouldn't have much extra left over in my student loans.
Damnit... So what do I do? What extra program should I take? I'm determined not to leave UTI with just basic core because that would put me with 70% of UTI's graduates. I wouldn't stand out to any employers.
So I decide to do the SMOG program. Everyone is raving about how much SMOG techs are in need and how much more they get paid. Word on the street was that they get paid an average of $4 more per hour than a regular tech. I call around to various shops all over So Cal and see what the demand and pay for SMOG techs are. I found that they did get paid a little more but the average was like $1 more and they weren't in any huge demand. The huge demand was for SMOG techs with 3+ years of experience. Then, I also find out that the SMOG program doesn't really certify you for anything. It gets you "ready" to do the state testing. And on top of that, SMOG is only good/valid if I stay in CA. So I decided against SMOG.
I still got a little time before i'm done with core to finally decide what I want to do. Then all of a sudden, my current campus decides to bring in the Diesel program. So i'm thinking "fuck yeah. Now I don't have to go to AZ and I get that extra CA money"
I go to sign up and get bitched slapped again... Turns out the Diesel program won't be actually set up and ready to go until 1 year after my current graduation date, which was 4/16/10 at that time. Fuck, I can't wait that long. I gotta work and provide a better life for my kids asap.
Then a couple weeks later, the Mercedes-Benz program shows up to my campus. So I say "oh fuck yeah" and i'm all over that shit.
The program was pretty good. It could be better but it's a new program so they are finding out the pros and cons as we go along.
Now i'm sitting here with a few job offers. All with Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Downtown LA Motors, Evansville IN, Huntsville AL, and Tacoma WA. i still haven't fully decided where to go but a for sure decision will be made in the next 2 weeks.
So now this whole school thing ends tomorrow. 9/10/10.
Time for graduation, bitches!!!
Overall, I ended up finishing both Core and Mercedes-Benz with a 4.0 GPA and grabbed a few Student Of The Course Awards along the way
It's been a tiring journey but I did it. I don't know how i've survived on very little sleep the past 18 months or so.
Wish me luck EVERYONE!!!
So then I decided to go and do the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program. This would require a temporary move to the UTI campus in Avondale, AZ. No big deal. I figure I can work at Pep Boys or something while i'm there to help pay my rent and stuff. If all else fails, I can just use the extra money from my student loans for my living expenses. Then I find out I qualify for less money in AZ than I do in CA, therefore, I wouldn't have much extra left over in my student loans.
Damnit... So what do I do? What extra program should I take? I'm determined not to leave UTI with just basic core because that would put me with 70% of UTI's graduates. I wouldn't stand out to any employers.
So I decide to do the SMOG program. Everyone is raving about how much SMOG techs are in need and how much more they get paid. Word on the street was that they get paid an average of $4 more per hour than a regular tech. I call around to various shops all over So Cal and see what the demand and pay for SMOG techs are. I found that they did get paid a little more but the average was like $1 more and they weren't in any huge demand. The huge demand was for SMOG techs with 3+ years of experience. Then, I also find out that the SMOG program doesn't really certify you for anything. It gets you "ready" to do the state testing. And on top of that, SMOG is only good/valid if I stay in CA. So I decided against SMOG.
I still got a little time before i'm done with core to finally decide what I want to do. Then all of a sudden, my current campus decides to bring in the Diesel program. So i'm thinking "fuck yeah. Now I don't have to go to AZ and I get that extra CA money"
I go to sign up and get bitched slapped again... Turns out the Diesel program won't be actually set up and ready to go until 1 year after my current graduation date, which was 4/16/10 at that time. Fuck, I can't wait that long. I gotta work and provide a better life for my kids asap.
Then a couple weeks later, the Mercedes-Benz program shows up to my campus. So I say "oh fuck yeah" and i'm all over that shit.
The program was pretty good. It could be better but it's a new program so they are finding out the pros and cons as we go along.
Now i'm sitting here with a few job offers. All with Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Downtown LA Motors, Evansville IN, Huntsville AL, and Tacoma WA. i still haven't fully decided where to go but a for sure decision will be made in the next 2 weeks.
So now this whole school thing ends tomorrow. 9/10/10.
Time for graduation, bitches!!!
Overall, I ended up finishing both Core and Mercedes-Benz with a 4.0 GPA and grabbed a few Student Of The Course Awards along the way
It's been a tiring journey but I did it. I don't know how i've survived on very little sleep the past 18 months or so.
Wish me luck EVERYONE!!!
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