My Experience at Automotive Tech School 

From Hawaii Attended UTI in Avondale Arizona for auto/diesel. Got accepted into the bmw program, and now working at BMW in houston

one think you must never skimp on is investing in your self

I grew up in a poor coal mining region and went to the local high school - just a cluster of portable classrooms scattered across asphalt. I did badly, failing most of my final year subjects. So I went to the local tech school and picked up the high school subjects I failed - not possible at university, which I couldn't get into anyway. I still struggled, and took 5 years to do a 3 year diploma in chemistry. I have just retired after almost 40 years as a chemist, the last 30 as a research scientist in a government lab. Never give up! Wherever you land, realise that it is not forever, unless you stop trying.

Hahahaaha when you said "legit shouldn't of passed hight school" I related to that so much ahahahah

Very inspirational Charles ! I too went to UTI about a year and a half ago and just recently graduated from UTI Sacramento in February 2nd. I took the automotive and Toyota program so that I can receive my certifications and be that one step ahead of all the other technicians and it for sure has been money well spent. Started my new career at a Toyota dealership in my hometown on February 5th and it was all worth it. The sacrifices I made to waking up at 3 or 4 AM just to make it to school or to working late hours at my job after school was over.

Thanks for this humble mechanic , I’m enroll in a diesel/auto school and this is definitely me right now. This is very inspirational to me.

I went to UTI rancho circa 98-99. I worked full time job and went to school also. I went in knowing what I thought was alot about cars via high school auto shop. My time at UTI filled in the holes in the knowledge I had. And made me a much better tech. Been a full time tech ever since. Wouldn't change it if I could. Loved my trade school days.

I cant share how much i appreciate you posting this & taking the time to talk about this. Thank you a million times.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TECH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU AND I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAN.

i really hope this video helps atleast 1 person change their own path. Always love your videos Charles, brilliant advice.

Thanks for this video, Charles. I think more of us need to see others struggle and make it through hard work and dedication.

A little under a year ago, I watched a your pros and cons video of tech school. I pulled the trigger and I am graduating in a few months. Couldn't have been happier with the decision! Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the videos!

Dude this was amazing. Your story and advice can apply to anything in life and I wish I could have shown this to 18 year old me. Good stuff keep it up.

Went to the Glendale Hts campus from 99-00. Tech school is all about the effort you put into it just like everything. You must be humble when you graduate or you will have a really hard time in the field.

Thank you for this video. I've been looking into UTI myself and am currently making some huge sacrifices to make it affordable. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Speaking truth bro. My experience at UTI was excellent. Had some awesome instructors. I actually won a scholarship to UTI. At the time it was 5k...my dad was going to pay for it. At 1986 dollars 5k was quite a bit. Im second youngest of 9. Typical Mexican family who fixed their own cars.i learned so much from my dad and brothers. UTI put the icing on the cake.i was the 4.0 GPA student.had 7 SOP's.i wouldn't change my experience for anything in The world...well maybe for the cockpit of a fighter jet.(my first choice but didn't go) thanks for sharing Charles.

Hey Charles I want to let you know you are vary inspiring and thank you so much for being one of the last automotive technicians that speaks the truth about tech schools. Keep up the great vids 👍

Thanks for the humble rundown of your Tech School experience!

I grew up a farmer, you had to make things work with little or nothing. I filled in the proper terms for things as I went. My first instructors were Tom and Ray (click and clack) on PBS "Car Talk". I now use YT (the internet is a freaking godsend). No school, unless you consider the school of "hard knocks" where you never graduate. Great video Charles!

Most of the time, life is what you make it. Attitude is everything. GREAT advice!!

Thank you for the inspiration about the steps that it took to become a mechanic in the automotive field.

Im a first year student at the ACC auto tech program, already went through the electrical block (which was soooo hard) and now I'm about to start engines. This was good to hear from someone who has been there and done that to give me some motivation.

Charles thanks for sharing about your background . You definitely hit on a few points I could relate to. I hope people take from this that they should really look within to find that which sparks passion in them and work hard for it. It really does go with the saying that "if you work doing what you love, you never work a day in your life".

You're a stand up guy! I think as time goes you've gotten a lot better about being efficient getting your points across. Up here in Canada, I got in to trade school through a high school program. But if you're registered through an employer the fees are heavily subsidized. From what I've seen that's probably a bad thing as there are many people that ended up taking advantage of it, but may not have been there otherwise. You can imagine what kind of techs they ended up becoming. The fact that you worked hard to push through and sacrifice speaks volumes. Keep the videos going!

Very well said!! I went to automotive tech school and now im an auto tech and business partner w/ my dad. You get out what you put into it 🔩🔧👌🏿

Although I'm planning on going into avation mechanics this still helped me out a lot, thanks Charles.

This should be called what it takes to be successful. I love the back story. So much more respect (already had a ton) for the humble mechanic. Love the show.

Really good video, Charles. We went to the same tech school, same campus, but I went in 1992. My experience with UTI was similar to yours, but I had some automotive background when I enrolled. While UTI wasn’t perfect (again, some students and teachers really didn’t belong there), my experience there was pretty good, and it set me up nicely for a career that is still putting a roof over my head. Like anything else, you get out what you put in. Thanks for the video.

Thanks for the honesty. This makes those seats look like a comfy coach. Love that phat steering wheel.

Man I'm in the exact situation that you were in, I also got into cars from being an audio guy and have been debating on going to school for the last year. Thanks for the great input.

You're a warrior with your eye on the prize - Stay Awesome

KEEP your eyes on the road Charles !!! . Went to college in the late 80s early 90s skint as hell ,but really liked it. But defo reaping the benefits of it later on in life, for me anyway was the best decision I ever made.regards Joe

Thank you for this Video im a Girl who loves working on cars and has a father who feels only men should work on cars so for years and years I've had to take the cars fix them at a friends house then tell him i took to mechanic. Ive been thinking of Tech school.

I really like what you had to say Charles, good job. Personally im in a pretty different situation. Im going to a technical institute to study computer and mechanical engineering, but I think the same philosophy can really be brought into my situation. I want to work as hard as I can in college and make many sacrifices in order to be successful as I can. I slacked off a bit in high school, i mean i didnt do badly, still honor/high honor role, but It didnt reflect what I was truly capable of, and I want to make sure I get everything out of college as I can.

Thanks for sharing this. Inspiring to say the least.

Great video Charles!

"Knuckle-headed Joe", hahaha. I'll try not to take that personally - Joe 😎

Hey Charles, great video. I'm in the process of changing my occupation and your perspective is very relatable for me. I'm aspiring to have my own service business focusing initially on Automotive HVAC and general maintenance required today for high mileage vehicles. I know honest mechanics are literally few and far between, so I'm confident I can keep busy if I do it correctly. BTW I'm doing this from my home driveway and possibly mobile evaluations at least to start. Thank you for your RU-vid content. Your videos are of exceptional to the point content. I would love to due a RU-vid channel to document my journey but I'm hindered by my lack of understanding about editing. Hopefully I'll over come that and use it as a crutch in order to maintain sanity...idk Thanks, keep up the good work! I don't understand why anyone would choose to give this video a thumbs down. Wtf? You are an inspiration...

Great stuff Charles:):), good advice

Neat. Didn't know you grew up close to where i did. Glen ellyn il. Thanks for the videos you put out!

Thank you for this video!

wow, your story sounds so similar to me, I've always taken my toys apart as a child and put them back together to see how they work. I'm in college with an automotive program full time while working a full-time kitchen job. I've had a very bad math teacher so far but other than that the automotive teachers are pretty cool. Love the videos man

I go to Community College to get my degree in automotive. I didn't qualify for financial aid which sucks but Community College is much more affordable than a University or Tech school. I love my teachers and my peers at school. It's an awesome environment with positive energy. I'm excited to be at school.

Charles! Right on man, I had the same experience with trade school as well and I went to Lincoln Tech. I learned a lot, and got a lot out of it. It was fun, challenging, and overall a good experience. The cost is definitely something to consider thats for sure, but the value in learning is in my honest opinion is priceless. I picked up a job at a local shop easily and I will say having Lincoln Tech on my resume helped securing that first job. Eventually I landed a a job at a local Chevy Dealership, worked for a number of years until I decided to go back to college. The sacrifices you talk about are very real brother. Its definitely bittersweet. I loved working on cars, but the job was taking a toll on my body and I'm only 30. If anyone is considering this line of work, also consider your body! You will be on your knees, bending over a lot, lifting heavy things, and on your feet all day. In the end, wether its college, or trade school, education is always worth it.

Just awesome!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! Looking n just confirm that it isn't too late at age 35. Needed great insight n background as to urs. Thank u once again, from CT.

Great video honestly you said it all no better than I could and yes I was one them guys that knew it all because I actually did and that caused me a lot of problems because I had a big ego my best advice you take from a tech school from what you put in so if you know it all you going to learn little and if you go in to ask questions about what you don’t know you will learn a lot more. Again my experience my opinion here.

I think your point about getting out of it what you put into it is right on! That was exactly what I observed at uti. Since then I've found that it applies in most areas of life as well.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Thanks for the information, I’m actually starting Tech school March 1st will be my first day

I also attended UTI in Avondale. I highly recommend it if ur passionate and starting out in the field. I came from the same background, not a very strong background in automotive work, but I learned so much from it n set a strong foundation for the work I do now. I graduated with a 4.0 gpa. You're right, u gotta put the effort in and u gotta love n have a passion to do it.

Most honest video I have ever seen ..I decided to go to a auto tech school no matter the cost...a good education is worth it

I was so close to going to uti in Glendale heights, ended up at local community tech school, learned a lot, got me a job right away during school. Learned a ton there great experience. Btw I was happy to get by at local college for $8000 for a two year degree that was very well respected in area employer wise. Great vid Charles

Well said. I did not grow up a car guy either but I’m already in my 2nd week at LTI and love it.

This is a very inspirational for me, seriously I’m in trade school right now for auto tech I dropped out of cosmetology school to do auto tech. In a few months I’m going to college for auto tech and high performance motor sports.

Thanks so much for the inspiration, you've added so much fuel to fire in really helping me make my decision thanks God bless God is Love

Another great video man! UTI in Glendale Heights! Do you remember Dyno Dave? He was the school rep that came to my house. Overall I had a pretty good experience at UTI. I attended UTI in 1999 and applied for the BMW and Mercedes graduate programs, Benz was the first to call. It definitely didn’t come naturally for me like some guys. I had to study my ass off, even got tutored by other students a couple times. I was able to pull off a 3.1 gpa with 2 student of the phase awards. I definitely remember the knuckle heads, those could be frustrating times. Anyway as I said I think overall UTI was a positive experience. It got me in the door at Benz, which I put in 14 years, which I believe looked great on the resume that got me my current Cush government job working for a police fleet.

wow, your story is very similar to mine. just about to graduate looking forward to the future

Thank you so much for this perspective!! I'm a female car fanatic but have always been discouraged when I expressed interest in going to tech school. After watching this video I feel a lot more more confident about applying. Thanks for your insight!

Nice video! I totally agree with your POV. I went to community college for Auto tech and I recently got an apprenticeship job at an indie shop. All I can say is pay as much attention as possible l, study hard, don't get distracted, and don't be afraid of failing. Don't worry about the other students if they know alot more than you it's ok. That's why you are in school to learn! My biggest setback in school was I was afraid of trying new things cause I was afraid of failing. Thankfully I did get an apprenticeship but I do struggle in some areas cause of my setbacks. So give it your all and don't settle for mediocrity!

Like every thing in life, you get out of it, what you put into it

you're awesome charles purr !!!

I went to UTI in california back in 03 graduated vw academy in 05. I like you came in to tech school knowing very little about cars. I learned a lot and it was a great value to me and my career. I also saw the people there that didint want to be there but had to because their parents said so. I worked at vw dealers for almost 9 years reaching master tech but afterwards didint see any real future there. I left the dealer in 2014 and i am now happily working at a vw/ audi performance shop/ repair shop..

Brill video Charles

Currently enrolled at UTI. Awesome to see others too

I went to UTI as well, they have changed the basic program to now be shorter and more computer based sadly, still a great school. But personally i would recommend it only if you where to follow up with a manufacturers program. I did the 3 month Cummins Engines program and i learned WAY more then i did in the 10 month core diesel program. Some community colleges even offer the exact same manufacturer program that UTI has, such as GM and honda. Just make sure you check all your options for tech school! Talk to current students, teachers, and graduates if you can find them.

I can really relate this!👍

Interesting stories. Me too, hated high school because all I wanted to do was work and make money. I learned the hard way I should have paid attention.

I went in the NAVY to learn reactor repair and running it I got my AAS degree in Electronic eng Plus even thou my credit was bad I could buy a house with my VA loan

Great vid

I went to a smaller local thing. I graduated in 2001 and I learned a great deal. I also learned that dealing with customers vehicles was not my thing so I took what I learned there and used it for myself and my vehicles. Kind of expensive, but I'm happy.

i just finished my cert 2 at a state tech school, not UTI or any other expensive schools, but i did it for the same reasons. i didnt grow up around cars and had no tools but my tech school got me prepared to jump into the industry and started a job at Mazda 1 week after finishing school. I'd recommend going to a community college or state school over UTI or anything that is expensive like that

Good advice.

Some of these comment could make one emotional. I attribute it to the season and the pollen. You have a great audience HM.

Appreciate it bro

great story!

And that is a great attitude

I attended UTI/NTI in Mooresville between 2005/2006. I did core automotive and Ford FACT. There was solid information to be learned. That tool discount was sweet too... I spent about 2 years in shops and realized the flat rate system wasn't for me. I need consistency in my budget planning.

Thanks for the videos you make they're awesome. I was wondering what cars you currently own?

I worked in retail and did pretty well before becoming a tech but like you said the next step was working crazy hours for about the same money

Hey Charles, I'm graduating this July and it's been awesome currently have a 3.89 GPA and it's currently my 15th phase I'm doing Auto+ Ford in Exton,PA.

I got a Plymouth(AAA) scholarship(trouble-shooting contest) to a Mopar Tech School in Detroit back in the 80s. I went there and learned a bunch. Loved it really, I was always #1 in knowledge. At the end of the 1-year session, I went to the local college and took ALL ASE auto exams...had enough experience and passed them all....ASE Master at 18. Yehaa!. Got a job at a Lincoln Dealership and became dis(gusted) with it after 6 Mos. Moved to a heavy truck(Ford) dealer and loved it. The heavy truck folks need their equipment much more substantially than an "Escort" cheapskate. Got my ASE Master Heavy truck one year after the Auto Master. But, at 26(envying the zone training reps and me, with no advanced degree), I went back to school, got a BS in CS(Computer Science). Got to work in plants that made the parts I used to handle every day(lots of automatic transmission stuff). Am I happier? Not necessarily TBH. I think the work ethic is more satisfying. There are "snakes in the grass" in every field. Avoid being one and happiness is more likely.

Was lucky enough to get excepted into my Tech High School. It made High school enjoyable. I try telling any kid who has that skill set to go. The Collision repair industry is in high demand for techs right now especially in my area.

Run as fast as you can from UTI. I know way too many people that have been ripped off by them. They have a bunch of slick salesmen that do a wonderful marketing job. Do yourself a favor and go to your community college Auto program.👍

Oh cool, had no idea you were from Lisle. I spent a lot of my youth in Bolingbrook and still live in the greater Chicagoland area. I'd love to go back to school and do something automotive, but in my 40s, it's tough to even consider when the programs are aggressive and full-time. I'm not so sure employers would be all that interested in an older newbie in the field, either.

Find a good community college program! It’s double the time but cheap. I went to cc on a two year program snd then to Mazda factory school for three months. Worked in the industry briefly and couldn’t handle the flat rate competition which should be a major factor in deciding whether it’s the right field for you.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your story is somewhat similar to mine. I started put tinkering. When I got my first car I started to by tools and learning to fix my own car to save money. That's what made me into an enthusiast. Over the years I learned enough to where I wanted more and I started doing alot of research online and reading repair manuals. I had some things going on in life and couldn't go to school. I got my first job at a shop 6 months ago and only worked there for 5 weeks. It went terrible. The shop was ass backward and didn't want to train me, but I thought it was that there was something wrong with me. Now I'm at my second job which is going really well. I'm actually the only mechanic in the shop. I have tools and enough experience to get by and make good money on flat rate. The one catch here is our work is limited to oil changes, tires, brakes, suspension alignments and some engine work. I really want to get more experience rebuilding engines and transmissions those are my top interests but I'm not sure if I should look for an apprenticeship or go to school. My community college(Elgin community college) offers a course which is an associated in automotive science, pretty similar to tech school. I'm just not sure what route to go. Anyways your video has given me some things to think about. If anyone has any advice feel free to share it would be appreciated!

I'm about half way done with the auto program at my community college. I agree 100% with what you said. Some instructors are shit, others are fantastic. Some of the students have no business even touching other peoples cars, others I can see going very far as a technician. One of the things I value most is learning little tips and tricks from the good instructors that have been in the business for 20+ years. Also, I don't know if this is normal for other schools, but we basically have have open access to the lifts and tools to work on our own cars whenever there is free time or if we come in early. That alone has been huge for me to learn how to operate in a shop. You don't want to be the guy who has to ask another tech if you are lifting a car the right way. Get that shit out of the way while your in school rather than on the job. I think if you pay attention and make a real effort, you can come out of school way ahead of other techs. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I went to Porter and Chester tech school for automotive back in 99 and 19 years later to still widely recognized. It’s still paying me back. People still recognize that I have had formal training. But I have a knack for this stuff anyway so it’s perfect.

Dude, this video is so awe inspiring... I am thinking of going to tech school at 43 years old, seriously though great video and I know this video will inspire many future techs. Not that I wouldn't go to tech school or anything =)

Thanks 👍

My first day of school is Tommarow! Thanks for the advice

Thank you currently at uti and looking for another reason to keep going

Inspiring story

Gotta do a refresh/recycle huh HumbleMechanic.

Ive been into cars for a while but recently i started wanting that as a career. so in my county we have an awesome opportunity for juniors and seniors in high school to apply to attend a career center. one of the programs there is automotive service technician, so i applied there an just heard that i got in. for my freshmen and sophomore years in high school i haven't done well. like you only putting in minimal effort and scraping by because i don't want to be there and its not interesting. but you've inspired me to learn about what i am interested in to better myself.

I graduated Nashville Auto Diesel in 08, even after school I struggled to find a decent job due to my lack of work experience, took me 2 years at Firestone and 4 years of crappy dealership job to finally find my career working as a Diesel Tech for the transportation department in the city I live in.

Great advice for any young person, "a blip in time"".

Currently in beginning auto tech program at my community college. During the day, I learn about basic stuff that Engineering Explained taught me years ago. But hey, I grab one or two gems out of every lecture. And there’s no learning the hands on aspect from a TV screen. Better to strip a bolt on an unloved shitbox than my own cars.

Nice video, I kinda did the same... but I went to "mechatronics tech school" and after that I started working. Only got into cars as I got one. Before that I was fixing bikes. I might move on to robots but who knows what the future holds?! :D

Makes sense. I spent $180k on law school; saw lots of other folks do the same and regret it, but worked out ok for me. Same idea as tech school I think.