going back to school?

[Copper280z]

Going to a state or community college will cut a serious chunk out of the bill, *>$50k in my case.

[frijolee]

Some of it comes down to bang for the buck.  The older you are the less bang that exists. 

If you're past 35 (maybe be even 30) or have kids I might suggest a technical degree to enhance your career rather than a start over switch.  There just not enough time for the effort to justify the upside.  Now if you just want to take a few classes for fun rather than pursue a degree that's a good idea at any stage of life.

[gc3]

Using the SAE programs will look good on a resume, so take advantage of anything like that.

not only will it look good, it may be required for many vehicle dynamics jobs. (and they ignored my not-so-great GPA, but i got my team to #1 in the world rankings, so that helps too)

[Sabre002]

I'm only 28 right now just wish I would have thought about this sooner but I guess my background up till now will only help the direction I would like to go. 

[BeasTT]

Skool iz fo foolz

[largeorangefont]

Some of it comes down to bang for the buck.  The older you are the less bang that exists. 

If you're past 35 (maybe be even 30) or have kids I might suggest a technical degree to enhance your career rather than a start over switch.  There just not enough time for the effort to justify the upside.  Now if you just want to take a few classes for fun rather than pursue a degree that's a good idea at any stage of life.

QFT.

This is especially true if you are looking to change your career path using the advanced degree as a catalyst. You will really need to analyze any wage increase you may get down the line against the increased debt you will be taking on.

[Sabre002]

I will put it this way as a GM tech I'm not making shit anymore. 

[largeorangefont]

I will put it this way as a GM tech I'm not making shit anymore.

Better dealers to go to?

[RX7what]

I started going to school a couple years ago (at 31) I finished my AS in allied health in about three years part time. Working my normal construction job whenever I could and taking a part time night job at a friends resturant. I needed the money to pay the mortage and care for my family. I still got it done. But now I need to go back and for another two years to get my nursing degree. Which in my area is an easy indoor, aircondtioned, three 12's a week, $100k a year job. It will be worth it in the end.

Just do it. The sooner the better.

[Sabre002]

I will put it this way as a GM tech I'm not making shit anymore.

Better dealers to go to?

maybe but I'm sick of dealer world.  Race cars or bust lol.

[jim3]

McPherson College auto restoration program.  Admission is limited, check out their website.

[Copper280z]

Think of where you want to be in 20-30 years as well, probably not at a dealer, where would you move up to? service writer? Manager? Maybe not without some school. What if you get laid off, can you find another job like it?

In my brief time looking for engineering jobs, people with real world experience in anything are pretty damn well off finding a 50-60k a year job straight out of school, maybe with a year of internships prior to graduating.

[largeorangefont]

Yes that is what I was going to say.. I would think you could make 50-70K out of school at an engineering job. Does that even make it worth it for you?

Working at a race shop would be cool. The time I spent at one taught me a lot. The race car shops can be very unstable though.

Is there more money to be made as a tech of higher end cars or at a private shop?

[twokrx7]

Engineer out of school in the petro-chemical field can make $80k in Houston Tx, cost of living is cheap too.  OT/PT starting salary here at a hospital is around $60k, Nursing a bit better perhaps, home health can be 80k  .

I thought about law school 5-10yrs ago but could not suffer thru the thought of giving up several yrs of salary and going back to a college lifestyle.  If you can get a degree in what you love without a lifestyle hit or risking financial ruin I'd say do it as soon and as fast as you can to maximize the future return on investment.  But do it right and first decide what you will do with the degree, what kind of career you want (technical or leadership), what companies offer such career opportunities, location, etc, etc.   

GL

[Sabre002]

see I have done the race shop mess in Charlotte the trouble is there is always a new group of "kids" that will do it for less.  Ever wonder why teams run good one year then shitty the next.  Cause they clean house fire all the people who get paid to much and start over and try to have the same results from a note book of notes and people who have no clue what to do.  Do go work for racing for the money do it cause you love it.  Trouble is I love racing for myself not for someone else.  Ya to me 50k or more a year would make it worth my while.  I have been at a dealer for 4.5 years now and nothing changes I could have been back in school I wish I was.  I gained experience and know how but I don't feel I"m much better off then I was I have to go find things to learn and I"m getting bored real fast.  I just want to know more, I looked into SAM as well but I fear for 20k or more I would not be much better off then I am now in the same round about feild.  I want to get away from being a wrench and get more into how to make it work, better designs, theory and application.