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Nov 3, 2003 | 10:06 PM

fordmechanic#1

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: new mexico

College

Hello all. My name is Robert Turnbull. I was wondering about a college i may be going to. It is Dadc. Denver Automotive And Diesel College. I graduated in May of 2003. For the past 11 years i have been working on boats and engines. I know 11 sounds a little odd but i have been helping ever since i was 7 years old. I have got really good at it but where i live there isnt really a good market for boats so i had to think of a different plan. I love working on vehicles and found about this college. I like the FORD brand and love powerstrokes. My brother is a cummins freak anytime i say powerstroke or make a whistle he gets mad. So i want to work at a Ford dealership on both gas and diesel trucks. Do you think this is the way to go or is there another route? Thanks everyone. ROBERT TURNBULL

Nov 4, 2003 | 08:08 AM

jobguy

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Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Minneapolis MN

Ask the College for names and phone numbers of Employer's and Graduates. The College should be willing to supply you with a list of both. Call several and get their opinion of the School (from the Students) and the quality of the Graduates (form employers). Try to pin the school down as to what their placement statistics really mean. If they have a 98% placement rate, does that mean in the student’s specialty or total placement? Many students will get a job in another field and yet the school may count that as a successful placement.
You might ask your local Ford Dealer what schools they get their best mechanics from.
Remember, your grades mean a lot to potential Employers. The higher paying jobs go to the Students with the highest grades.
Good Luck
Ken Bursaw
Director of Student Employment
Coordinator Cooperative Education
Normandale Community College

Nov 4, 2003 | 09:32 AM

Hjudge49

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Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Florida

A good diesel tech can write his own ticket now. I guess there aren't many boat related jobs in New Mexico, but where I live (Florida) guys that work on Marine Diesels make more than Doctors.

Nov 4, 2003 | 01:41 PM

dinebito

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Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 171

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From: SE Michigan

good point Hjudge! darn, i shoulda been a diesel mech. just a low-life engr working down at fmc here. boo hoo.

ken, (not to sway the kid), but i've found that grades only might matter for getting that FIRST job outta college -- that is if they even look at them. at third co. now, and have never been asked for x-script or diploma ever here (good thing too, hahaha.. j/k). of course, in your position, i'm sure you know better w/ much more data to look at. perhaps is diff for actual mechanic's field.

Nov 5, 2003 | 09:18 PM

fordmechanic#1

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: new mexico

Thanks for the responses. I have been giving it a lot of thought. I have been thinking about Florida. Where would be a good place to look for a job and how would i look for one? I have only found like 2 jobs in Florida concerning boats but they were at a boat yard rigging engines. Thanks Robert Turnbull

Nov 6, 2003 | 07:16 AM

Hjudge49

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Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Florida

I f you get through Diesel School, there are plenty of places looking for good diesel techs. There used to be a very well regarded Diesel School in Tennessee, I think Nashville, but I'm not sure. One of the Biggest places is the Cat dealers. RING Power in Jacksonville, Ocala, Miami, Daytona, Tampa. pretty much all over. Two brothers named Ringhaver own all of them and have lots of plants. They are building a new place in St. Augustine. They do heavy equitment and marine sales and service both. Also lots of marine diesel places in Jacksonville.