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UTI - Universal Technical Institute

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Bret

Bret

Yoda
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Ok so my son is still considering going into the Military, but now he’s thinking about going to UTI. Either before he goes in or afterwards. Thinks that if he goes before it'll help him get a better job and of coure afterwards it'd help set a career path for him.

Anybody know anything about UTI they'd like to share?

Son is considering their collision repair 51 week courses.
 
Sleeping on it - I'm not too keen on the whole Auto Body/Paint program my son is considering - but he says that’s what he'd like to do.

Anyway according to the "recruiter" (but he sounded a heck of a lot like a salesmen to me) during the interview last night - my son could in theory attend the 51 week body & paint course and it wouldn't cost me a dime. However in order for him to attend - I (the parent) has to sign & be approved for a loan that would (and here's the kicker) only kick in if my son has a hard time meeting the scheduled payment plan because his part time job dosn't work out or pay enough. Total cost is about $27,000! Even with the Cal grant (~$7K) that they say he qualifies for, how in the world is a Paint & Body man going to pay that off the ballance on a starter salery.

I'm still thinking that if this is what he wants to do then he should do so "AFTER" he gets out of the military not before. It's not just about the money but he was thinking about aircraft maintenance structural repair (body repair)in the military and may after he's done it for a while decide he wants to do something completely different or take it to the next level and work on civilian Aircraft when he gets out of the military. Seems to me that working on aircraft air-frames either manufacturing or repairing them, would be far more lucrative & pay a heck of a lot better than working on vehicles in some paint & body shop.
 
Bret, I totally agree with you on the "AFTER" part of it! Heck, he will be eligible for help from the govt. in paying that hefty tuition after he gets out and he will have that stick-with-it-ness discipline as well (if that is what he still wants to do after he gets out!)!!
 
Lots of difference between airframe maintenance & auto paint/body, Bret....is he losing his focus as he gets closer to graduation & the 'real' world?
 
I agree with you analyses Mike, While it sounds like a great program (especially for someone getting out of the military) at the moment I think my lacks the discipline necessary to go to collage or even a vocational school like this.

Yeah Tony, waffling at this stage of the game for a young man is not totally unexpected. But he still seems committed to the Marines and he’s telling me he really wants this Air frames gig (not my first choice) in the military. But one of these UTI “recruiters” put a bug in his ear that this would help him score higher and land a better MOS when he goes in.

Again it sounds like a great course - but I’ don’t think my son is mature or disciplined enough to make a go of it at this point. He doesn’t know it yet but I’m not going to sign nothing at this point.
 
The young man should wait until after the military service. When I was his age I wanted to be an engineer. After 1.5 years of college I dropped out and joined the Navy. MOS, nuclear reactor operator. Got out after 6 years and became an accountant. Who would have thought that?
 
Bret, do you have a school nearby that gives aviation type courses? it might be possible to make an appointment with them to give you and your son a tour of the facility so he could get a grasp of what the training is and what would be expected of him in this field, you can do the same with an auto body school, my older brother went into the marines and took their training in airframe and powerplants, went to nahm come home and recently retired from t.w.a. i went to a civilian a&p school to get my licenses, and as been mentioned here there is a great disparity in aircraft work and body shop work, what ever his choice hes got to make sure he likes it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif
 
My son is an active duty Marine on his third hitch. When he joined, he had few plans other than to be a good jarhead with a combat MOS (which he is). His goal now is to go off active duty within 2 years, at which time he should have a bachelors degree. He's no academic superhero & has had his deployments & floats to contend with, but he'll succeed and at very little cost moneywise to him. And he'll still have his GI bill money available when he gets out. UTI may have a good program but it doesn't sound like now's the time.
 
Bret said:
I'm still thinking that if this is what he wants to do then he should do so "AFTER" he gets out of the military not before. It's not just about the money but he was thinking about aircraft maintenance structural repair (body repair)in the military and may after he's done it for a while decide he wants to do something completely different or take it to the next level and work on civilian Aircraft when he gets out of the military. Seems to me that working on aircraft air-frames either manufacturing or repairing them, would be far more lucrative & pay a heck of a lot better than working on vehicles in some paint & body shop.
Click to expand...

Lots of things to consider here.

In most cases, an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate is required for one to work on civilian aircraft. Exceptions are manufacturing, working in a Certificated Repair Station and working under the supervision of someone who holds the A&P Certificate. In order to get the "ticket" one must pass a series of tests. To become eligible to take the tests, one must have either schooling at a certificated (I know it seems like it should be "certified", but that's FAAspeak) school or documented experience. It is very hard to get the required experience in the military!

And, though it pains me no end to say it, your son could probably make a heck of a lot more money, starting out anyway, if not after years of work, as a body man on cars than as an A&P. I have had many many grads who quit aviation jobs and go back to other fields simply because they could not afford to stay in aviation!

Potential students always asked me about the wages they could make upon graduation. I was honest and told them that if money was their goal, to enroll in anything else! Probably turned many away, but what could I say?

People who are in aviation love it so much they are willing to work for almost nothing.
 
Twosheds said:
Bret said:
And, though it pains me no end to say it, your son could probably make a heck of a lot more money, starting out anyway, if not after years of work, as a body man on cars than as an A&P. I have had many many grads who quit aviation jobs and go back to other fields simply because they could not afford to stay in aviation!

Potential students always asked me about the wages they could make upon graduation. I was honest and told them that if money was their goal, to enroll in anything else! Probably turned many away, but what could I say?

People who are in aviation love it so much they are willing to work for almost nothing.
Click to expand...

I have to go along with Twosheds. Have been in General Aviation for 30 years right out of high school. Pay has not been great but love the work. You can go to the airlines or corporate flight departments to get more.

Don
Click to expand...
 
Bret,
I graduated from Remington Education Centers Vale Campus, with an "Automotive Technics and management" 2 year Degree.
I had intended to go for just Auto body, but wound up doing a course that covered mechanics and small buisness as well.
Good thing. Right out of school I went to every body shop in town looking for work. Even shop owners I knew said they wanted experience. I probably could have started out in a shop as nothing easier than with a degree.
But it helped in mechanics. I got a job as a tec, and I'm still doing it.
Looking back I'm glad I diden't get into auto body. It's a very tough business. Lots of nasty chemicals, bad dust, and it seems like most of the body guys I know at least dabble in drug usage (at very least heavy drinkers). It's just kind of part of the scene. And the pay ain't that great.
Aircraft mechanics would be a much better feild, and military would always be an asset.
Good luck
 
Bret - it may be that, if he can't get his ASVAB scores up to qualify for the aircraft MOS, that he listen to what they tell him he's qualified for...I've had many friends and ex-students who went into the military for one MOS & later on qualified for another....that might be the way for him to get the avaition MOS - take what's offered now & continue to improve himself while he's the best Marine he can be to qualify for another MOS.

Sounds as if the discipline of the Marine Corps is more important than the job he'll end up doing, IMHO....
 
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