jobs within automotive

[vn_v6]

hi guys, im almost 16, my father is a qualified mechanic, he has taught me all he knows, and i am at the point where im learning more things on top and teaching him some things, cars have been my main interest since i was 5, i know every boy has this interest at that age, but i am still into them like and dont see myself changing at all, i can confidently take apart a motor and freshen it up by myself, i fix freinds cars, people ask me for advice, and i want to learn even more on the computer side of things, such as they guy that comes out with his laptop and tells you whats wrong with your car ect, but i have no idea what field this is ect, i dont want to be under someones dirty work ute turning spanners and getting tools thrown at me for 4 years during being an apprentice, because i have mates that are apprentices for 3 or so years, and im sure that i already know more than them, my mate that is almost finished his apprenticeship, called me about 3 weeks ago asking why his car started up like crap ect, we fixed it in 15 minutes after 2 mechanics looked at it, i dont want to sound up myself, but i know quite a bit and want to expand my knowledge as much as i can doesnt matter if its 1 year uni, 6 years uni whatever, i want to go somewhere in life far away from dodgey roadworthys and working on clappers

1: what jobs are available after uni that arent just a joe blow mechanic,
2: what subjects do i need
3: what would be the highest paid/qualified job in this industry

[CSP]

Engineer in a Formula 1 team.

Engineering degree.

[ParkwayDrv]

Engineer in a Formula 1 team.

+ 1

[Ace_VP]

In the end the guy who comes out with the laptop went through the 4 years apprentice stage to get to where he is. He is just a mechanic who has been trained by the manufacturer to use the diagnostic software specific to that vehicle.

If you dont want to go through the apprentice stage I would do as above and pursue a mechanical engineering degree. If you are good and work your way up you could be working in F1 or a V8 Supercar team.

[vn_v6]

chances of going to f1.....serious answers guys

[CSP]

slim to none

better if you move to Milton Keynes in the UK, work in the area in the automotive industry, get to know people etc...

[Philthy]

No matter what you want to do, you will have to work your way up to it.
Saying you don't want to do a certain job for the rest of your life simply because you don't want to spend 4-5 years at the bottom of the ladder is just silly

[vn_v6]

i didnt say that i wont work my way up, i meant mechanic is out of the question, if i have to become mechanic for a while to get to a certain point then yes i will do it, sorry typed it wrong

[ParkwayDrv]

Well if you're as good as you say, you will be the apprentice who is showing the tradesman what to do

[Ace_VP]

a mechanical engineer is another option but a harder route and one which will involve alot of hard work, larry Perkins is an electrical engineer but i bet her started at the bottom on the tools.

Start off at the bottom, get a certificate to say you have the base knowledge and skills and then work your way up.

[Philthy]

If you are interested in the design side of things, I had a mate who did Auto Engineering (i think it was) at RMIT. He designed a 7-speed gearbox as his final year project

[vn_v6]

i am doing vet subject on automotives next year, i will have certificate two or something like that, i am willing to study, work, my ass off for a job that will be fruitful and that i will like

[ari666]

better if you move to Milton Keynes in the UK,

ugggh, you ver been to that concrete hell hole? i would rather kill myself.

so OP, use schooling/wise saving/working wisely to get where you need to go. asking a mechanic "how can i make more than a mechanic makes" is a bit of a dull question cos' obviously to get where you need to go you need to blaze your own trail.

i would suggest starting working as a pleb mechanic because you will need expierence and the only way to get it is to work, but never lose sight of your goal, and if your goal is to be an F1 team leader, then thats what you gotta focus on, ignore the rest of the crap that goes on.

the #1 WORST thing that dead end employees get into with their dead end jobs is sitting down at smoko and bitching about how they could get paid this much elsewhere or the working conditions are this much better elsewhere "F'ING GO!!!!" stop bitching, take your own life by the horns and take a few chances. if you get caught up in the downward spirals of debt, partying, etc etc you WILL be in a dead end job forever. if your smart and always look for new ways to better yourself and your career, you will be successful.

[CSP]

Yup and it's where the most F1 teams are based and down the road from Silverstone.... Be where the action is if you want to be part of the action.

[vn_v6]

i dont like sitting at a desk, drawing pretty pictures,s i want to be the one that is out there building it or testing it, fixing it, but yet again, any joe blow can fix a car, im looking for jobs similar but onesthat need higher qualifications, the higher qualifications the more pay most of the times

[vn_v6]

slim to none

...

thats what i was implying, my bad my typing sucks today

[CSP]

Well with a defeatist attitude you won't get very far at all.

[Philthy]

Something like building performance engines maybe? Start as a mechanic (ie, apprentice mechanic)

[vn_v6]

who cant build a performance engine? same thing as mech just few bits and pieces different and a dyno at the end ect, what is the job that you program the cars computers? re-flash ect?

[ari666]

who cant build a performance engine? same thing as mech just few bits and pieces different and a dyno at the end ect, what is the job that you program the cars computers? re-flash ect?

lol!

ok that statement ^^^ is the reason you need a bit of expierence

[Bravotwozero]

Hope you like specialist mathematics and physics if you want to become an engineer. Did you finish your VCE/HSC? Did you do an advanced maths and physics? If not then you won't be studying engineering at UNI.

***EDIT***

Just realised you're only 16. Finish your HSC/VCE if you want to do engineering.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Sounds to me like you don't know anywhere near as much as you think you do...As for "who can't build a performance engine?" if anyone could build a performance/race engine, do you think there would be guys around making a living just off building performance engines?

When you say you can freshen an engine on your own, do you check bearing clearances? piston to bore clearances? ring gaps?

[vn_v6]

it may sound it, it may be true, but i gurantee you, i know more than you think, what im saying is i learnt it all by observation, not cracking the books, so if i do both, seeing i like it, i would happily work my arse off in this area of work, how much do engine builders get an hour?

[CSP]

LOL!!! OK I thought this was at least a semi-serious thread at first....

how much do engine builders get an hour?

Go and observe an Engine Builder when he's at the ATM.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

I don't know, I'm not an engine builder....I'm just a "joe blow mechanic" who can build an engine.

Go ask some engine builders what they earn, I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you what they earn. Especially after you tell them anyone can build a performance engine (sarcasm intended)

P.S you didn't answer my questions