Automotive Systems Technology degrees? General vs. Toyota T-TEN?

ARMYDOG · 30 Aug 2010, 03:24 pm

I've been working on cars all my life and I want to continue doing it. I'm soon planning to go to college for Automotive Systems Technology, but I have two choices! I can either go to the college right down my road and save a lot of trouble from finding another place to live and finding another job, but the only problem is that, that college doesn't get you specialized in a car make!!! It's a (General) Automotive System Technology degree. There is another college about 70 miles, to make things easier I'll have to find a apartment and a job near there since I drive a Dodge Ram V8, but they do allow you to specialize in a certain field such as Toyota, BMW or GM. I want to do the Toyota program. I know if I go with the general degree I probably wont get the full blown technician job at a dealership because I wouldn't be specialized in anything because I know in order to get good jobs it's all about QUALIFICATIONS. I was just wondering if I am right or wrong about this?

Thank you Kevin, I just called the toyota dealership and talked to the service director and he said about the same thing. He said I can do college at DCCC and get a job at the dealership, may have to work my self up from something, but they have a T-TEN program at the dealership.

kevin · 30 Aug 2010, 03:39 pm

Specialization of training for specific brands is not as big of a deal since vehicles went to the OBD2 world standard diagnostic systems. Most systems are very similar from one brand to the next and mechanically there is very view brand specific issues.

I would be more worried about the level of skill of the instructors and in the course content. Sometimes the brand sponsored program maybe better funded and have better equipment to train you on.

The only other advantage is you may make some dealer specific contacts in a sponsored program that may lead to finding a position with the brand a little easier.

Personally I test any new tech I hire based on his ability to diagnose issues and problems and not on his knowledge of the product. This is somthing very hard to learn on the job. The brand knowledge come naturally as you work on it.

Automotive Systems Technology degrees? General vs. Toyota T-TEN?

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