Technical School Triumph

[jhynesrockmtn]

A few years ago my son took a year in high school of auto shop at the local tech school. I wasn't sure how much of that sunk in until recently.

When he got to Ft. Benning for IBOLC last October he bought a 4Runner that had been sitting for years with fuel delivery related issues. I think he paid $500 for it or something. He was able to check the compression on the motor which tested well before taking it home.

Several months later and a few used bits from Craigslist he has a running woods/hunting rig. He has sorted many issues, including recent problems with fuel pressure. Bought a used tank from CL, cleaned and sorted the fuel injection system with some youtube video help, etc.

Technical training is sometimes hard to come by in our school system. He was glad this was available to him but it wasn't really accessible to many. He was lucky that he didn't need the credits to graduate, had his own car to get there given it wasn't on his HS campus, etc. I think we're doing our kids a disservice not having more tech programs for those who don't want to go the 4 year degree route.

I guess he learned quite a bit :-)

[look 171]

Everyone need to go to college and get a PhD in English lit or what ever academic degree necessary is what our public school wants.

As a former shop teacher, its nice to see your kid put some of what he learned (while many in education think its useless) to good use.

[sand_man]

I loved shop class (HS)!!!! "Gas Engines and Mechanics" with Mr. Garfield!!!! It inspired me. Despite my silly white collar corporate job, I'm a grease monkey to the core!!!

[Nickshu]

That's awesome! The world needs more useful education.

[Willem Fick]

Originally Posted by sand_man

It inspired me. Despite my silly white collar corporate job, I'm a grease monkey to the core!!!

That is me exactly!

I attended a technical high school. It was tough going at times due to the "dumb kids" stigma attached to it, but I can honestly say it is one of the best decisions I could have made (my parent weren't fans of the idea).

Hasn't held me back in life once - in fact I think it actually taught me how to think about the world in very practical terms, and in doing so advanced my career tremendously.

[fred cook]

When my son was almost driving age, I bought an old Dodge Dakota truck that was pretty worn out. The deal was that we would fix it together. Over the course of the next year or so, we went thru most of the major systems in the truck to either repair them or make certain they were safe. He learned that a little grease doesn't ruin your life and which end of a screwdriver to hold! Later, when he was at Georgia Tech working on a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was able to repair a damaged wind tunnel turbine for his Co-Op boss. The boss was impressed that he actually knew how to use hand tools! So, yes a bit of basic knowledge can go a long way!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Willem Fick

Hasn't held me back in life once - in fact I think it actually taught me how to think about the world in very practical terms, and in doing so advanced my career tremendously.

Totally agree. Many of the best engineers that I have worked with are either former or hobbyist mechanics. It provides a common sense and perspective that school cannot. Conversely, many of the worst engineers that I have worked with are the "walking computer" types that colleges like to turn out. As an aerospace engineering grad, it always amazed me that a student could graduate with that degree without ever actually seeing an airplane in person.

[Evans, Marv]

The PC philosophy of our educational system, plus every parent wanting their kid(s) to be a potential PhD does disservice to our society and economic well being. Europe used to have a two part education system - maybe still does, I don't know now. Students were tested, and those with academic aptitude were channeled that way. Those tending toward vocational were channeled in that direction. Always seemed to me the common sense thing to do. When you consider maybe three quarters or more of people make their livings in small business/vocational, the emphasis on the academic route doesn't contribute to efficiency in the work force.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by sand_man

I loved shop class (HS)!!!! "Gas Engines and Mechanics" with Mr. Garfield!!!! It inspired me. Despite my silly white collar corporate job, I'm a grease monkey to the core!!!

I feel the same way but with one huge exception:

It is ONLY a hobby. I would Hate Hate Hate to fix cars for a living. That resembles real work. I like working in a nice comfortable office in front of a computer. Heck I have a heated and air conditioned garage at home so I am comfortable when working on the cars.

I would starve as a professional mechanic. I only work on MY cars and I am very slow. It takes me all dang day to do a valve adjustment on my 911 and I am sore the next day.

It is an enjoyable hobby but no way would I want to earn a living doing it. I admire any honest mechanic that makes a living doing repair work.

[ckelly78z]

This is what I have been telling my 16 year old sone for years, that he needs to know how to work on cars, but not to do it for a living. He is currently enrolled in an automotive tech school classes through the regional that meets in the afternoons rather than high school classes. Many of his friends want to wrench on cars thier whole life, but I told hi, at my age, he will deeply regret that. I think he is leaning towards large diesel technology or actuall construction equipment operation, each of which is better than being a line mechanic in a dealership dictated by job/billable hours.

[scottmandue]

Where is the Triumph? I was expecting a motorcycle!

Someone had to say it.


Good job by your son,

I was pissed at my dad for making me help work on the family cars, he and I fixed repaired plumbing/electrical around the house too.

Now today I can work on my car, fix my own plumbing and electrical... thanks dad.

[look 171]

As a young woodshop and construction instructor (taught architecture also)in a high school I always felt that my job was not to get student or influence them in any way to get into those fields. Discussions on careers, advancements and pay scales in all its related fields and the schooling involved was part of their lesson. Let them make their own choices. I couldn't stress enough on getting a good education after high school.

Like most kids, they want to do what's fun. I only wish that part trades education could include how to make the transition from working to running a small business. An old contractor told me when I was about 19 sitting on a roof of a house having lunch over looking the valley into Beverly Hills. His suggestion was to shape up and if I really want to work wood, then get a job and sand and shape wood all day long. If not, smart up and run what you have as a business and get someone else to sand your parts. So I listened. Too bad many never make that transition.

[sand_man]

The first time my father took me to Sebring for the 12-hour, this is all I ever dreamed of working on. Of course I was struck by the drivers, but it was the pit/garage action that moved me! At the time I just did not have the connections or the network to make it happen. I knew I was in love and that nothing ever made me feel the way I felt around endurance race cars and their support teams. I often wonder what would have, could have been. I am still very emotional whenever I attend the races; Daytona, Sebring, VIR, Road Atlanta. I love the "behind the scenes" stuff...the heroes turning wrenches!

[Tobra]

Nice work, sounds like he turned out all right.

There is your Triumph