When you're looking into auto mechanic programmes, cost is one of the first things that comes to mind. When compared to the less expensive programmes at community colleges, the tuition at auto tech schools seems very high to a lot of people. An automotive school, on the other hand, has many advantages over a low-cost community college programme because it only teaches one thing.
For example, most schools that teach auto repair have better tools than community colleges. The reason for this is that community colleges get most of their money from the government. Because of this, they are always struggling to pay their teachers and keep their students' equipment up to date. On the other hand, when you go to an automotive school, the tuition you pay helps the school buy and keep up-to-date equipment for its students.
Auto tech schools have great teachers, which is another benefit of their degree programmes. Underfunding at community colleges also means that teachers aren't paid enough, so most of the best and most experienced teachers won't work at a community college. Also, since an automotive school focuses on their field and doesn't just offer classes as an alternative for non-traditional or non-academic students, they tend to look for teachers who are better qualified to teach their subject.
Most of the time, the courses at an automotive school are also better than those at community colleges. Again, this is because auto tech schools only teach one type of car repair. So, a school that focuses on training people to work with cars will be able to offer a variety of degree programmes, including ones that lead to Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. ASE certifications are important in the automotive industry because they show employers and customers that a mechanic has mastered his or her area of certification. Because of this, any good automotive education programme will train and test students in the areas of ASE certification.
In addition to things like high-quality equipment, teachers, and educational programmes that directly affect the quality of a student's education, private auto tech schools can also offer better student services, such as help finding a job. Job placement services are especially important, since the main reason most people go to school is to get better at a certain job or career. Most schools for auto tech have an office that helps graduates find jobs, and these schools usually have a good name among local employers. Also, many auto tech schools have long-term relationships with local businesses. This means that when these businesses need interns or full-time mechanics, they often go straight to the schools. All of these things make it easier for people who went to an auto tech school to get jobs than people who went to a community college.
Attending a programme at a community college to save money may seem like a good idea, but it could hurt your career path in the long run. How much and how well you learn depends on things like the curriculum, the teachers, and the equipment. Support services for students, like help finding a job, help you turn your education into a career. The extra money it costs to go to an auto tech school for a degree programme could mean the difference between a good education and a mediocre one, a fast-track career and just a job.
