Thread: Schooling

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Hello everybody, I am not too certain wether this is posted in the right place or not, but I will ask anyways. Ok, although I have no background knowledge or hands on history with hot rodding or fabrication or painting cars or anything like that, I do know for sure that I have a passion for the custom car design and hot rodding scene. I do believe that I would totally love and enjoy working hard on cars and custom fabricating modifications for vehicles, and everything else involved with this type of work. The only thing holding me back is I have no idea how to go about finding schooling, and how I would one day after schooling finally do what I dream of, working on custom cars, and fabricating them. I live in Newfoundland Canada, so any Canadian or anybody that can help with my problems can you please post anything that would be of great information.

If you lived near me I could use a helper that wants to learn.
Try to get a job at a local body shop. You'll probably start out just doing sanding and grinding but you'll learn a lot by watching how they do things. You need to know the basics before you can start doing custom work. If you start a project while working at a body shop the crew will probably help or at least offer helpful advise.
Custom cars are scarce in Canada I have family in Nova Scotia and Ive never seen a rod or custom when I'm up there. so you might need to move to Southern California to make a career out of it. Maybe a larger city like Toronto or Quebec have enough population to support a custom shop.

Man, if I did live near you I would jump at the opportunity to be an apprentice in such an environment as living and breathing Hot Rods lol. As you said it seems that in Canada there really is a scarce supply of Hot Rods or any such business incorporating that at all. But at the age of 19 and very little money, making a move out of this country seems impossible for me. It seems a person needs connections and family to move out like that. But a job at a place where Hot Rods or the likes are a main focus would definitily be a great opportunity. ...sigh..

Originally posted by snows
Man, if I did live near you I would jump at the opportunity to be an apprentice in such an environment as living and breathing Hot Rods lol. As you said it seems that in Canada there really is a scarce supply of Hot Rods or any such business incorporating that at all. But at the age of 19 and very little money, making a move out of this country seems impossible for me. It seems a person needs connections and family to move out like that. But a job at a place where Hot Rods or the likes are a main focus would definitily be a great opportunity. ...sigh..

The only limitations you have in your life are the ones you impose on yourself!

Hey Bob, I firmly believe that as well. I actually have been talking about my future with an officer at my church that I attend, and he asked me "if you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?" and I replied telling him all about my enthusiasm with this genre of automobiles and working on them would be a dream come true. He replied by asking me, "Well, whats stopping you from achieveing this goal?". In turn I began coming up with many different hurdles in my way, such as money, where I live, what schooling I need, and such things like that. I dunno if I am just lame, but I really would have no idea how to go about moving even to a place such as Toronto, and finding a place to live, finding a school that can teach me the neccasary skills that would furthur help me in reaching where I want to go. All these limitations are what I want and need to overcome somehow, I firmly believe that this is my passion, and would love the opportunity to learn and have hands on experience with all of the processes of a restoration. Well that was a long sermon. Please any more tips, info, or anything you can add is very welcome.

Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
The only limitations you have in your life are the ones you impose on yourself!

Snows, my man, most reputable schools, like Wyotech, Hotrod Inst, etc,etc, will have placement referrals for rooming houses or apartments.

They also should have referrals for part time jobs to help defer the cost of the school.

The only catch is you're going to have to talk to the local friendly(?) banker about a loan to make the tuition.

As Bob said in the quote above, you are your own limiting factor.

Originally posted by snows
I dunno if I am just lame,.......................

No, you're young...................and you haven't learned yet! We've all been there. Some learned, some didn't. When you transcend from believing what I said to living what I said, then you'll win.

Hi, thanks for all the help and info people. You are right, I believe what you say but for me to live what you say, seems so impossible, here I am living on the little island of Newfoundland, and for me to jump from here to somewhere in the US, or even jump off the island I can't seem to comprehend on my own. I feel like I need a buddy with me or a family with me, maybe I am too much of a "mommy's boy" or something. I think having that solid feeling that you have somebody with you can calm the most frantic of nerves. I know I really need to do this, but it just seems so big, so far, so lonely. To leave everything behind and start afresh would be such a bitter sweet feeling. This is so troublesome.

I'm 15.. i've got the classic/custom/anything on 4 wheels bug as well. My dream summer job as a young teen would be to work in a bodyshop or something of the sort.. i'm in canada as well. I think wyotech would be cool, but then again I've got a mother who says its not a real school?
Oh well, my friend, I guess we'll ahfta see how it goes.

snows
Having left home at 18 to join the Marine Corps in '61 I know your anguish, but I jumped right in and never looked back. Follow your dream or someday you might regret it.

Thank you for all your friendly advice people. Since your right that I am my own limitations, and the fact that I may regret it if I don't try and pursue it, my only real question would be about the schooling yet again, and what my possibilities are. Like do I just do courses around here concerning Metal Fab/Welding/Basic Automotive Technician..and then gradually make my way into the business, or would it be better to make a big move and do a course totally dedicated to the Hot Rod and Custom Scene? Maybe I can email the big names like Foose, and Boyd and see what there websites email me back as an answer..lol I dunno. Again anything to help is appreciated!

Here is my 2¢...

Have you ever heard the saying, "If is was easy everyone would be doing it"?..

or...

"Success does not come without a price"

No matter what your interest or carrier choice there are thousands of others folks out there with the same desires... What seperates you from them?... Do you have the "Mental Toughness" to stand out in a crowd?...

You have to ask yourself what you are willing to sacrifice to make your dreams come true.... If you are not willing to make sacrifices and take a few chances along the way the hard cold truth is that you will not achieve your goals and you will not stand out in a crowd...

I say these things not to discourage you, but to make you aware that you have to always be focused on your goals.

Good luck...

Dave Brisco

You are sure in a fix, it would be like loving trees and living in the Sahara desert!

It's as everyone has said, make a decision and jump in with both eyes wide open. Always remember that no matter what you decide to do, give it %110 percent, total commitment will mean success in the long run. It won't be easy but if you stay the course you can accomplish anything.

Its amazing how many friendly people are on this Forum, thanks for all the comments people, they really push me into getting closer and closer into making that final and all important major decision. I have been looking into the "Wyotech" school and it looks like a great place. Even has a "specialty course" there dedicated to Street Rod & Body Fabrication..thats amazing, it seems like the perfect place for me. I know I have what it takes to accomplish this because of the burning desire to do what I love. I can't thank you people enough for the kind and truthful advice in helping me grow and helping me not let this slip by forgotten. I even find my own Family is surprisingly up to the option as well, and friends around me and mentors have been a great help in explaining to me about future decisions and the passion that we all seem to have but some just let it go, well I have to desperatly try and not let mine go, I have to make this work. I will continue to update as things become clearer in my mind, but until then please if any comments are with you, spill it. Thank you again.

Snows,

At 19 you have so much time ahead of you. Think long term! NTFDAY's comment could be a clue to how to do it. Have you considered joining the Canadian Armed Services? In my US Air Force career I had opportunity to work with members of the Canadian forces serveral times and found them all to be top notch folks, both in skills and personality. If you joined the forces and aimed for a mechanics career, whether it be cars, trucks tanks or airplanes it would get you started in the right direction. It would also give you a structure around you so that being "On your own" would not be so scary. Also consider heating and air conditioning as a potential trade as they also do a lot of work with sheet metal. Learning how to form and fabricate metal is where the customizers excel! Hope this gives you some ideas.

Good luck! Just Do it!

Pat