Performance diesel mechanic.

[CRohwedder]

I really want to get into working on pickups for a performance diesel shop. I love working on my own trucks and am really not happy doing what i do now, so i figured i would try to turn my hobby into a living. Does anybody out there have any suggestions for as far as what i can do to help get me there or even a shop that would take me on as a shop hand for now and eventually work with me to get to the level of being able to be a full time mechanic? Any ifo would be greattly appreciated. Thanks, Corey.

 

[AKAMAC]

Corey,

Back in the day, a man could apprentice in a shop and earn his reputation.

Today with the ASE certs that are reqiured you might have a tough road to haul. There are shops that will hire you but be prepared to muzzle-up and do as they say; "oil & filter, and make it quick".

Try some shops in your area and see what they say. There are a shortage of Techs in the field and you may get lucky. If all else fails, look into the the vocational/technical schools. They have a good hire-out rate but are spendy.

 

[CRohwedder]

Thanks for the advise.

 

[CSnyder]

Corey, where is Waterloo IL at? Im in northeast Iowa.

 

[CRohwedder]

Corey, where is Waterloo IL at? Im in northeast Iowa.

I am about 30 minutes east of St. Louis MO. But i am willing to move.

 

[DHRA]

Cory, come to the Indiana Diesel Nationals with plenty of resumes and pass them out. Over 130 diesel performance shops were in attendance last year.

 

[csevers]

Don't do it!!!

If you really like the diesel engine/truck hobby thing DON"T F it up by going to work on them for a living. It gets old pretty quick and takes the fun out of it real quick. Hobbies are good if you keep them hobbies. Work is WORK don;t mix them up. I KNOW from first hand experience !!!! In 3 years I went from loving Dodge trucks and the gagets that can be put on them to getting tired of changing a hundred or so dead VP's Juice boxes,clutches and the other hundred reacurring problems. I don't mean to talk you out of it but this is just MY experience. Some people may have better luck.



Good Luck either way

Craig

 

[CRohwedder]

Thanks for the advise guys. And the Indiana diesel nationals are in may right? Corect dates and place if somebody has that. Thanks again.

 

[CSnyder]

Corey, I think he meant IRP in Indianoplis that happens the last few days of May and first few of June this year. Look at the national events forum.



My hobby has turned into being a partner for Triple D Performance and Im happy I made the choice to join them because I love what Im doing and wouldnt go back for nothing. There is a huge difference between having a hobby and a passion for something. You need passion in order to do this stuff everyday.



Well if you were a bit closer I would hire you part time to start but Im familiar with the drive to your area and 6 hours one way wont cut it part time. My wife was from Litchfield IL area and I drove down there 6 times a year.



Chris

 

[CRohwedder]

Thanks guys.

 

[DHRA]

June 2-3rd O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

 

[CRohwedder]

June 2-3rd O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

Thank you.

 

[Mhannink]

corey if you want in the feild the best way in my opinion is to go to the local dealership and change oil. get worked up in their ranks a little and get some experience in diesels under your belt. then i would start looking for a shop to hire. speaking from experience the vocational schools arent that great. i went to wyotech and didnt like it. good school but not the caliber i would have expected for that money. just start working on trucks. the performance shops are looking for basicaly the same thing as everyone else. they need people who know what they are doing, can do it on their own, and can do it right and fast.

 

[CRohwedder]

corey if you want in the feild the best way in my opinion is to go to the local dealership and change oil. get worked up in their ranks a little and get some experience in diesels under your belt. then i would start looking for a shop to hire. speaking from experience the vocational schools arent that great. i went to wyotech and didnt like it. good school but not the caliber i would have expected for that money. just start working on trucks. the performance shops are looking for basicaly the same thing as everyone else. they need people who know what they are doing, can do it on their own, and can do it right and fast.

I see what you mean. But i think it would be more benifitial to me to change oil or easy stuff like that for a shop rather than a dealer. I dont think working at a dealer would help me out that much but i dont know, just seams like it wouldnt help. Thanks for the info.

 

[Mhannink]

well as i see it the dealer is more willing to take the risk so it will be easier to get in. when you get in at the dealer then try for the performance shop they know you can swap parts. thats all your really doing. the shop isnt willing to risk someone doing it wrong and want people w/ experience. the dealership doesnt really care and will take you on and let you learn. however if you find a shop that will hire you go for it.

 

[CRohwedder]

well as i see it the dealer is more willing to take the risk so it will be easier to get in. when you get in at the dealer then try for the performance shop they know you can swap parts. thats all your really doing. the shop isnt willing to risk someone doing it wrong and want people w/ experience. the dealership doesnt really care and will take you on and let you learn. however if you find a shop that will hire you go for it.

I see what you mean now, thanks for the help.