Continue on and get a 4 yr degree, or be an Auto Technician? LONG.
 

Okay guys, I need some advice. I'm torn between going back to school and getting a 4 year degree, possibly a 6 yr, or taking my Automotive Technologies degree and getting a job at one of the local Ford dealerships.

Okay, Ive been going to a 2 year college for six years. Full time every semester. I have 157 Credit hours. Have a 2 year degree in Advertising/Fine Arts, and now a Degree in Automotive Technologies, I also took a year of criminal Justice.

For the last year, I've been schooling myself in Physics. In the field of Astronomy, Particle physics, and my Favorite Astro Physics. I took a few classes at the two year college and got a 99.75 average, I only missed one question the whole semester. My teacher is encouraging me to go into Physics, so is my family, but my friends are saying Automotive.

I'm going this week to Fayetteville State University to see how many of my classes/credit hours will transfer towards a Physics Degree.

Heres the main problem, There isnt anything really in Fayettville for a Physist to do, especially in the field of Astro Physics/Astronomy.

See, if I took a few of the ASE tests and passed, I could make a decent living in Automotive, but then I might miss the chance to discover the first Terristrial extra-solar planet (Planets around other stars, all they've found now is Gas Giants smallest bieng in between Saturns and Neptunes mass).

I really enjoy both, and could see myself making a good comfortable living with both. One things for sure, I dont want to stay a manager at FedEx Ground. That place sucks A$$.

[This message has been edited by Mercury (edited 05-29-2001).]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

You have a varying amount of a LOT of education. My suggestion would be to work directly for Ford, as a physicist, designing and testing stuff. That way you are doing scientific stuff and getting payed well, as well as doing car stuff.

My boss at work thought I was Bull Sh$ttin him when I told him how many credit hours and classes I have, till I showed him my transcript.

Gosh, I've been going to college since 1995. Oh well, its the girls keeping me there. http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/biggrin.gif

I though about that, trying to get a job with Ford as an engineer or Car designer ( using my Art background and accomplishments), but the field is Extremely Competitive from my understanding.

I'm going to go and check out my options.

Hg,

Your dilema kinda reminds me of what I was thinking about a while back. This is no simple decision and takes much forethought.

I am crazy about cars/automechanics (more than I let on) and really wanted to take classes in univesity, but just wasn't able to with all the Chemistry stuff I had to do. I kinda know how you feel b/c I LOVE chemistry, but I also LOVE musclecars/automechanics. Many times I thought about just quitting the chemistry field and getting a degree in mechanical engineering or simply just go work for the Ford dealer so I could be closer to the car stuff. For me it was all about the cars and QUICK pleasure. I knew that would not be a good decision.

Although our situations are not exactly the same, you asked for advice and I will give mine:

1) Listen to your teacher and your family and most definately go into Physics. Yes, you may have to put your die hard automechanics hobby on hold, but in the end it will be worth it. Not only will you have more than the required funds to fuel your fire, but you will also have a powerful degree AND it will be something you like.

2) If you had said you just wanted the Physics degree for the money than I'd say screw it and not waste time with it. Life is too short to waste time. But you said you like Astrophysics and I think that degree would be priceless to you in the future. Ultimately it is your decision and it should be something YOU want.

3) You said you really enjoyed both, well, simply put, I can see one easily doing automechanics with an astrophysics degree, but it's a little more difficult to see one doing astrophysics (with intention of a major find/discovery) working at a Ford dealership.

Set yourself up right, man. It's more about making a good and comfortable future than having it all now/immediately (you instant gratification). GET THAT PHYSICS DEGREE!!!!

-------------------------------
'79 Mustang Coup w/ 4" Cowl
Stock 5.8L, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup soon) http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/cool.gif

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

I agree with Fox Body, Get the Physics degree! I'm 11 courses away from my geology degree from UBC, one of the top universities in Canada (rated #2 in Canada). I hate not making any money while going to school but it'll be worth it when I'm finished my degree.

Besides, I'd hate to see you spend all that time only to work at a Ford dealership!

------------------
GT-40 heads (ported, polished, + milled), B303 cam, 1.7rr's, JE pistons, Offy intake, Carter AFB 625cfm carb, Flowtech 1 5/8" shortys, Flowtech X-pipe, MAC Flowpath exhaust, MAC pulleys, 373's, subframes, Eibachs+Tokicos, B&M ripper, FMS Clutch, Zoom Quadrant+cable, 17" CSA Ultra rims, 235/45ZR17 Yokohama AVS S4's, MSD 6A ignition+coil, FMS 9mm wires, Carbed, Naturally Aspirated, and Nasty!

I agree with everyone else. Go for the physics degree. While automotive stuff is fun when it's your own performance car, it might not really be fun to do brake jobs on somebody else's Focus all day.

Rev

------------------
'66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph
1/4 mi.

Like it's a question.

Physics degree.

I was meaning at ford central, not a dealer, i think the best would be to be an engineer/physicist there.

Get the job and mount a telescope to your tool box

I'd say the opposite, get that degree, work with telescopes and play with cars.

Thanks for all your input guys, I really appreciate it. http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/smile.gif I'm going to check things out at Fayetteville State either this Thursday of Friday. I'm pretty darn sure I'll be going for the Physics degree.

I like the idea of mounting a telescope to the tool box. http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/biggrin.gif I laughed pretty good at that suggestion.

Hey, if something should go wrong (which hopefully it wont) I have something to fall back on.

Thanks again you all.

Thanks for all your input guys, I really appreciate it. http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/smile.gif I'm going to check things out at Fayetteville State either this Thursday of Friday. I'm pretty darn sure I'll be going for the Physics degree.

I like the idea of mounting a telescope to the tool box. http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/biggrin.gif I laughed pretty good at that suggestion.

Hey, if something should go wrong (which hopefully it wont) I have something to fall back on.

Thanks again you all.