starting a career in automotive

[2.2 Straight six]

There's definitely money in collision repair, we do account work for a local VW-Audi bodywork shop. they have some expensive cars and turn around plenty of work.

[72chevelleOhio]

Originally Posted by 2.2 Straight six

if you want to make lots of money, become a diesel tech.

Ehhhhhhh....depends....
I know car guys that make more money then me...(as long as they make rate, which I don't have to! )
I think auto body techs still make more then both auto and diesel techs, at least thats the way it was back in the '90s.

[Stockcar]

How do I become ASE certified? Do I need to?

[curtis73]

I ordered the ASE test for kicks once. I mean no offense to the ASE techs here, but I felt it was more about the business than the cars. I spent a decade self-learning, then when I got a job at a GM service department I was all scared since I wasn't ASE. Then I found out that you scanned your time card, it gave you your job, and listed the GM service manual on the screen concerning that job. It told you step-by-step how to accomplish the job. I think the ASE part is more about diagnosis and business, and the actual job is spelled out for you. I felt like I was way ahead of the shop manual.

In my experience, ASE is a good entry-level certification, then you can learn the more important stuff on your own. Its an excellent way to get a firm footing in the business, and you can expect it to open doors for you, but don't necessarily expect it to teach you a lot about automotive tech.

[SLJ2137694]

Originally Posted by curtis73

I ordered the ASE test for kicks once. I mean no offense to the ASE techs here, but I felt it was more about the business than the cars. I spent a decade self-learning, then when I got a job at a GM service department I was all scared since I wasn't ASE. Then I found out that you scanned your time card, it gave you your job, and listed the GM service manual on the screen concerning that job. It told you step-by-step how to accomplish the job. I think the ASE part is more about diagnosis and business, and the actual job is spelled out for you. I felt like I was way ahead of the shop manual.

In my experience, ASE is a good entry-level certification, then you can learn the more important stuff on your own. Its an excellent way to get a firm footing in the business, and you can expect it to open doors for you, but don't necessarily expect it to teach you a lot about automotive tech.

(It is a valuable yardstick by which to measure the knowledge and skills of individual technicians as well as the commitment to quality of the repair facility employing ASE-Certified professionals.) FROM ASE WEB-SITE.ASE Certification is not in place to teach you anything, it is about proving your basic technical competance to a potential employer. However, after taking the tests you may realize the areas that you need additional training in.

[SLJ2137694]

Originally Posted by Stockcar

How do I become ASE certified? Do I need to?

Start here.http://www.asecert.org/