I'm getting out of the Marine Corps. Next week and I'm looking to go to a college but I want to go to college and learn about being a auto mech and work on corvette's soley cause I want to be a specialist on corvettes. IS there a college that offers these courses?

 

I don't think so. Go to a quality auto mech training center and get your general training then go to a corvette dealership or a corvette repair shop and get OJT in what it is you want to learn.

Semper Fi

 

Thank you for your service to our country from an USAF vet.

 

What are your mechanical skills now? Do you have any experience as a mechanic, or have you been working on cars since you were 14? Also, when you say work on Corvettes, that is a wide range of the mechanic landscape. C1's - C3's require a different skillset than C4-C6's which use a lot more sophistocated electronics, etc. Also, bodywork is different between the two generations I listed above. Some guys are attracted to the classic nature of the older corvettes, others dig the sophistocated 'tuner' aspect of making newer corvettes perform better. Which one are you?

If you already have mechanical skills, you might want to look around for a major corvette restoration shop and see if you can get in there, even if you have to start by cleaning floors and trash bins while going to school in the day. Finding a job now is tough enough, finding one that pays good money is extremely tough. A lot of Corvette shops are marginally profitable so you have to look at that as well. But, if you did start at the ground floor, you might get moved up to mechanic after 2 months, so it might be a good place to start, even if it's part time. Then you get good experience too, while going to school. I worked for a Corvette restoration shop while going to college. It was mostly mundane work like sandblasting parts all day, or glassbeading and painting parts, light assembly, etc. Eventually I got to assemble cars, but that was somewhat monontonous too after a while hardly getting a chance to see the light of day and wondering if the owner was going to come through with the payments on time (a big problem on working on classic cars). It was fun at times, but not something I could not handle 20 years down the road.

As an alternative, if you have a place to work on cars and have some skills, and a little cash, you might consider scavenging around for a low-dollar Corvette that is a good deal in decent shape, doing some minimal repairs and selling it for a profit. That's the key, MINIMAL REPAIRS. You don't make any money doing a large degree or repair or restoration unless you buy super cheap. Actually, you can just hire some of the work out that needs to be done if you can find a decent shop to work with. Then repeat the process. I know people that do this and make ok money. Maybe sprinkle in a few cars that people really do buy like sport utility vehicles that need light mechanical work. If you can make $2,000 on a car (it's doable), you need to sell 20 cars a year (just under 2/Mo.) to get there. That's not very much. You learn a lot more by doing ...and there are some good deals out there now on vettes due to the economy. You can get good repair info off the internet. My brother sells low dollar used cars at a low end dealership he owns in a town of 5,000. He buys and sells some classic Mustangs here and there to satisfy his passion, and is making a killing in the $7,000 and under market. He made over a hundred grand last year and sub-lets part of his shop out to cut his rent way down. Plus, wheeling and dealing gets you out and about so you are your own boss and aren't stuck working under a greasy hoist all day (everyday) or behind a dust mask. But be cautious as a bad purchase might be difficult to sell right away at your early juncture. I'd personally start by buying a cheap Toyota 4x4 PU off craiglist cause they are easy to sell fast. This is a good time of year to start. Another advantage is that commercial shop rents are really low right now too. Well, thanks for your service. Good luck,

Mark G

 

WWW.UTI.edu

If you want to work on late model Corvettes (C4 on up), you will want to earn GM and ASE certification.
If you want to work on early model Corvettes (C1-C3), I would still recommend earning a ASE Certification, but much can be learned in general automotive Vo-tech programs. WWW.UTI.edu has a Hot Rod program that would also be beneficial since there is so much aftermarket upgrades to Corvettes. All training programs will leave you a more versatile employee.
General knowledge, theory and experience are still needed.
A Vo-tech automotive course followed up with ASE certification will get you in the door and advance you faster than you can do it on your own unless you get lucky. I would dare to say that a majority of the most successful mechanics don't start out on their own.

I know of two automotive restoration places that find their mechanics at the local vo-tech. They train them further and pay them pretty good. If you want to stick to Corvettes, I would suggest that you stick to the big cities where the populace can support a Corvette only facility. A general mechanic can work anywhere in the world.

My advice is to love your career, keep it versatile, and be able to do it anywhere you might want, or have to live.

 

I'm sorry but I don't see how learning about Urinary Tract Infections is going to help this young man. Except for learning about getting pissed off. I didn't see anything about their "Hot Rod "program either.

 

Sorry. It's .edu instead of .com.

www.uti.edu

www.hotrodinstitute.com/ is another

 

Check with Wayne State University in Michigan. Former Corvette chief engineer Dave McLellan is a graduate. If memory serves, you may be able to study automotive engineering there.

 

Yes Sir; Again, Thank-You for your service in the United States Marines. We all Appreciate. Please go to college, a Bachelors Degree in Business, or any Engineering Degree will give you enough start in life, & to get a S. B. A. loan to buy An existing Corvette Business. No Need to start at the bottom. Even if you change your mind later in life, you will be able to change. Even if you make just passing grades, you will find a banker to loan you money on your College Degree. Have a great life. Gene

 

Thanks for your service - it's a truly honorable way to devote a portion of your life. Greatly appreciated.

I agree with Gene. Get a degree that will allow you to broaden your business/life skill set, then focus on ways to leverage that degree in the Corvette industry. I'm 48 and been self employed all my life and am still working on ways to include my hobby into a profitable endeavor. Good luck!