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Started By
Message
Is a Automotive Bachelors of Science worth the time & money?
Posted on 10/3/24 at 11:52 pm
Posted on 10/3/24 at 11:52 pm
My son was accepted at a school that is in the top 10 for the degree. (The uniqueness reminds me of State's Meteorology and golf course management degree programs.) We visited today (8 hours round trip). I've been trying to do the research but everything I've read lacks a mention of the benefits of a 4 year automotive degree. The school has placements in the major automotive companies (Tesla/Ford/Toyota/etc.), automotive/vehicle related companies (CAT/US GSA/Komatsu), and insurers/loan companies (State Farm/Progressive/Ally). Many of them donate new/totalled vehicles for the program. We even saw two semi tractors in their lab area and a huge shed full of vehicles that are there for the students to tinker with.
I know there are a few of you with experience who might be able to cut through the BS of a place wanting you money for 4 years (and those who haven't done much more than learning on the job). Even the tool investment...$4K for a tool kit seemed crazy expensive until I started reading about people spending a year's salary on tools.
Frankly, the time is more of an investment than the money. His tuition, R&B, and Books will be covered with scholarships. A small Pell and small subsidized loan along with work study would fill the gap between the basic 3 things and the published Cost of Attendance.
I know there are a few of you with experience who might be able to cut through the BS of a place wanting you money for 4 years (and those who haven't done much more than learning on the job). Even the tool investment...$4K for a tool kit seemed crazy expensive until I started reading about people spending a year's salary on tools.
Frankly, the time is more of an investment than the money. His tuition, R&B, and Books will be covered with scholarships. A small Pell and small subsidized loan along with work study would fill the gap between the basic 3 things and the published Cost of Attendance.
19
Posted on 10/3/24 at 11:57 pm to MSUDawg98
Doesn’t sound like a good “college" to meet chicks and get laid. Pass.
This post was edited on 10/4/24 at 2:09 am
Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:06 am to MMauler
quote:
Doesn’t sound like a good “college “to meet chicks and get laid. Pass.
The university is actually the #2 party school in the state. (Topped only by the state's primary land grant university.)Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:12 am to MSUDawg98
What does the degree program prep you for and what does he want to do?
Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:16 am to MSUDawg98
are they placing graduates at Tesla and GM as engineers or just teaching them how to do body and engine work?
Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:31 am to POTUS2024
At the core he's a tinkerer and always trying to figure things out. As a tween he was playing auto repair video games instead of mindless games like Rocket League. He liked the University part of the visit but loved every second in the Automotive/lab areas. I think owning his own shop at some point is his goal but until then he wants to be working in challenging areas. The three of us talked and doing the hybrid/full EV concentration is where he needs to be. We're pretty sure he's going to be doing a business minor with it since it's only an extra 6 credit hours. The one negative is that a lot of those in the program are from the city. Unlike them, he would actually need to rent a place to live there during internships.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:38 am to MSUDawg98
quote:
At the core he's a tinkerer and always trying to figure things out.
I had a friend like that growing up.. he was a year older than me; we both got new bikes for Christmas when i was 6 and he was 7.. Christmas morning he took the whole bike apart , then put it back together again.. all i could do was ride mine lol.. im convinced that ‘tinkering’, building thing is a gene you are either born with, or not.. but yeah, maybe a university could help him refine it and get even better at it, im not sure .
Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:43 am to Rebel
quote:Placing them. The two student hosts made a point to say that they are friends for the first 1.5 years but turn into competitors when it's time for internships. The one kid is a senior who interned for Ford and was expecting to be hired there next year.
are they placing graduates at Tesla and GM as engineers or just teaching them how to do body and engine work?
It sounds like they look out for them as well. They relayed a story about Camping World. They have been removed from the program after students were placed there with the promise of company paid housing. They got there and that housing was a single RV.
I grew up in a generation where I lost count of how many times I heard my grandpa saying it was "all about that piece of paper" (he has born in 1917 and had a great county job working for my other grandpa). I think we were the last generation where that still applied nearly 100% of the time. Except in specialty fields, colleges now seem to be there just to take in as much money as they can. Coupled with the "if it's too good to be true..." thinking is what has me questioning it.
ETA: From the info they gave us "Numerous paid corporate internships and full-time job opportunities. Typically 88% of graduate accept a job offer prior to graduation with the average starting range of $50,000-$75,000." 80+ Graduates per year.
This post was edited on 10/4/24 at 12:49 am
Posted on 10/4/24 at 12:49 am to MSUDawg98
Sorry I can't help shine any light on this. But I find it pretty interesting. I've never heard of this degree. Keep us posted on the path y'all choose.
I know my father had to get an A&P license after retiring from the Air Force before becoming an engineer at Fed EX. - but it was just a formality for him given his career field in the AF.
I know my father had to get an A&P license after retiring from the Air Force before becoming an engineer at Fed EX. - but it was just a formality for him given his career field in the AF.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 3:27 am to MSUDawg98
My son got what sounds like very similar degree at Weber State in Utah , with Toyota emphasis. Worked for Toyota dealership while in school but didn't want to turn wrenches rest of his life. Since graduation, he worked in retail automotive store for couple years, then with facets of insurance industry as an adjuster in automotive side including a stint on disaster relief for situations like Helene, and now works as a regional truck fleet manager for a major food service company. I think the degree has allowed him many different opportunities to meet a lot of people and get broad experiences and I would not be surprised if he moves into something else one day.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 5:01 am to MSUDawg98
Sounds like a program that some college has figured out how to try and capture some of the money that they are losing. People are justifiably rejecting 4 year degree options which place you in debt to then make 40k/year. Not to mention the forced liberal indoctrination classes that you have to pay for as well.
I would say frick them and go to work
I would say frick them and go to work
Posted on 10/4/24 at 5:42 am to MSUDawg98
If you believe your son will gain specific knowledge that can immediately be applied to earn income, and…..
that the cost of gaining this knowledge is not a barrier or excessive when compared to future income, then….
The only obstacle to overcome is the rationalization of attending the school as an opportunity cost.
Sounds like your son would leverage this knowledge further and gain hands on experience and learning for future opportunities. If it was not for the time commitment, I would join this school too and spin to a business.
Good luck to you all and enjoy the school.
that the cost of gaining this knowledge is not a barrier or excessive when compared to future income, then….
The only obstacle to overcome is the rationalization of attending the school as an opportunity cost.
Sounds like your son would leverage this knowledge further and gain hands on experience and learning for future opportunities. If it was not for the time commitment, I would join this school too and spin to a business.
Good luck to you all and enjoy the school.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 5:49 am to MSUDawg98
Seems unnecessarily restrictive. Would a mechanical engineering degree be a better option for a more rounded knowledge base?
Posted on 10/4/24 at 5:57 am to MSUDawg98
First, what school is it? Don’t be coy….
I am intrigued by the program but I would recommend investigating the EV component to the program. While EVs will not be the blanket replacement the left wants (can’t as infrastructure can’t support), hybrid tech will proliferate.
That said, I am of the opinion a Mech Eng or Elec Eng degree might be the best/wisest decision. Granted, the level of academic difficulty might be quit a bit higher. I am biased…..I am an engineer.
I am intrigued by the program but I would recommend investigating the EV component to the program. While EVs will not be the blanket replacement the left wants (can’t as infrastructure can’t support), hybrid tech will proliferate.
That said, I am of the opinion a Mech Eng or Elec Eng degree might be the best/wisest decision. Granted, the level of academic difficulty might be quit a bit higher. I am biased…..I am an engineer.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:10 am to MSUDawg98
My opinion is if he wants to learn car repair go to a votech type school for that trade. That will teach him the hands on. Then get a real degree and apply to the manufacturers from there. They hire engineering students from outside the "automotive" curriculum.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:38 am to MSUDawg98
I think you have to answer three questions.
1. What is he going to,learn with this degree he wouldn’t learn at a votech?
2. Who will care if he has this degree over a regular mechanic?
3. How much will his income increase because he has this degree?
1. What is he going to,learn with this degree he wouldn’t learn at a votech?
2. Who will care if he has this degree over a regular mechanic?
3. How much will his income increase because he has this degree?
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:49 am to MSUDawg98
Do it.
Specialized degrees like this that feed directly into and are sponsored by an Industry are a gold mine for talented students that truly love that field.
It's infinitely better than a gender studies degree
Specialized degrees like this that feed directly into and are sponsored by an Industry are a gold mine for talented students that truly love that field.
It's infinitely better than a gender studies degree
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:50 am to Rebel
quote:
I know my father had to get an A&P license after retiring from the Air Force before becoming an engineer at Fed EX. - but it was just a formality for him given his career field in the AF.
Is it possible that school can give a minor in aircraft maintenance? Six hours in business is two courses that could be taken in summer semesters.
This university is just fancyfying a technical education and turning into a college experience..
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:50 am to MSUDawg98
quote:
I think owning his own shop at some point is his goal
If so, make sure he takes some business courses somewhere along the way. A lot of people are good at things like that, but bad at business and end up having a rough go at things. Here where I'm at now, I see that a lot with restaurants. People that are good cooks open places up, but don't know how to get people in the door and make money, and end up blowing their life savings.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 7:16 am to MSUDawg98
That sounds more like a trade school than college. Nothing wrong with that if it’s what he wants to do
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