graduating Wyotech student, searching for a job!

[arc_angel42]

hey folks! names Tyler, im from northern Illinois and im 19. Im out here in Wyoming attending the Wyotech diesel program. its just about a month before i graduate, and i am really interested in the railroad business.

well, not much about me. i own a 2001 subaru impreza 2.5RS which i've beat to hell since i've been out here in Wyoming haha! lets just say, a LOT of lessons were learned and now i have a driveable project car. i construct custom gaming consoles, the xbox 360 in particular. using the original casing, i do simple things like cut out designs which i can put acrylic behind to see inside. i also put in lights on the inside, and a bunch of other stuff. i'll post a picture or two of some that i have made.

right now i have no license, because of 2 speeding tickets and an improper lane change ticket. again, lesson learned. i hate being needy and bumming rides off of people. luckily tho, i will get it back in March. im going to be a lot more careful about when my testosterone decides to kick in this time around.

im nervous about starting as an entry level tech. in this industry whether the railroad or not. i have no background even to working on cars. i've seen on the BNSF (where i plan on applying, and praying to God i get the job) website that you can start as an apprentice mechanic. does anyone know how long that lasts? i like the idea of shadowing someone and getting in shape before i start playing the game. and do they send you to a school at all if you've already been to a technical school?

heres those pictures:

i just finished a water cooled console for the NOS Energy Drink Co. they will be using it to market their product towards the gaming community. if anyone is wondering what the point of doing modifications like this, then i'll answer that with another question. whats the point of putting different rims on your car? that is with the exception of race car drivers tho, who use lighter wheels for performance purposes.

 

[GHLines]

Shoulda gone to UTI Anyways, I graduated from UTI (auto/diesel) in 08 and began working for Coast Engine and Equipment in early 09, briefly until they closed for good. i was out of work for a while, but fell back on my automotive training at and independent auto repair shop. I heard that Progress Rail had purchased the old Coast facility and put in a resume this past August. Two weeks later, i was working as a Locomotive Mechanic again. I am what they call "Mechanic 2" based upon my prior education and brief Coast experience. I work hard, and learn new things daily. I have done many tasks from filter changeouts to a complete in frame geartrain on a 710 EMD. Currently, we have several repower programs in the shop, and I have been on almost every aspect of them. In November, progress sent me to WABTEC for a week of airbrake training. Your experience in the industry may differ. If you prove yourself to be hard working, motivated, eager, and competent, then your employer may expose you to some of the best training in the industry. If you are arrogant, lazy, or any other undesirables, you might want to reform yourself. I'm not judging you either way (only you know what you can do) but i know there where a lot of students from my school that I would not hire. Make yourself stand out above the crowd and you will go far.

 

[ES44AC]

We have a Technical Training Center in Overland Park, KS.

 

[728 Cable Donkey]

Wyotech is in Laramie if i am correct. A great place to watch trains. spent a bunch of time there in the 80's.
I can't remember the name of the street but there is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the yard and rail plant.
This is a great place to see z trains at speed through town. Sometimes both tracks have trains.
I highly recommend paying a visit. The depot is close by as well.

 

[arc_angel42]

I'm not judging you either way (only you know what you can do) but i know there where a lot of students from my school that I would not hire. Make yourself stand out above the crowd and you will go far.

thats true, and i do need to buckle down and make things happen. having no license these past few months has gotten me in the habit of being VERY lazy and that needs to change, and i've already begun to show signs of it to. like my room, which is a pigsty, is getting closer and closer to getting clean again haha.

Shoulda gone to UTI Anyways, I graduated from UTI (auto/diesel) in 08

haha, i thought about it since i live just outside of chicago and there is a campus an hour from my house. i dont know what UTI is like, but i thought the classes at Wyotech were awesome. these instructors come straight from the field and they know there stuff, but the school is ran like crap. my 90 year old grandfather could run this school better than it has been. im happy i came out here though. im having troubles deciding if i want to even go back to Illinois or not, i love it out west its so awesome!

I can't remember the name of the street but there is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the yard and rail plant.

thats the Snowy Range bridge and the Adams St. bridge. the only two ways to get to the east side of town (my dorms are on the west side).

 

[728 Cable Donkey]

I'm not talking about the highway bridges but the pedestrian bridge.

You can't miss it! It is near the Johnson Hotel building adjacent to the depot.

Grand Avenue is close by if i am not mistaken!

Has Wyotech grown outside of Laramie to other cities? I have seen commercials on Speed where they elude to that.
It has become a good tech school as good as UTI.

 

[GHLines]

haha, i thought about it since i live just outside of chicago and there is a campus an hour from my house. i dont know what UTI is like, but i thought the classes at Wyotech were awesome. these instructors come straight from the field and they know there stuff, but the school is ran like crap. my 90 year old grandfather could run this school better than it has been. im happy i came out here though. im having troubles deciding if i want to even go back to Illinois or not, i love it out west its so awesome!

Same at UTI. I really enjoyed the diesel classes especially. mechanics from the field who either a.)got hurt and cant work b.)got tired of working or c.)had another reason for not working in the field.(some just decided to teach, but there was a few that screwed up and lost their driver's licenses, etc...) If you are willing to relocate, keep an eye on the Progress Rail website. I know we should be looking to hire here in Tacoma, plus they are planning to open a new locomotive manufacturing plant in Indiana. www.progressrail.com

 

[arc_angel42]

Cable Donkey, yea i remember what your talking about now! its just a walk way bridge, and yea its about 2 blocks from grand.

Wyotech has grown a lot since it has started in 1966, about the same time UTI was established. the original building still stands here in Laramie. they have 3 campuses in California, 2 in florida and 1 in blairsville pensylvania. the reason i didn't go to UTI is because when i worked at Bestbuy my audio tech went there and got a diesel degree. he said it was the worst school hes ever been to, and thought the same of all tech. schools after attending UTI. he's been a car audio installer for 5 years, and now he works at his brother-in-laws custom audio shop, after spending however much it costs to attend UTI.

 

[5thGenRR]

When it comes to hiring out at UP (which will be similar to BNSF being that they are the same union for Machinists) hiring in as an Apprentice off the street would be a good deal for you. When it comes to UP most of the training is OJT but we do have Classes that are taught by instructors called CTI's. BNSF should be the same as well. Having a background from trade schools is a good thing and will give you a better chance of being highered over others. It is a cutthroat world with jobs and you will be in the hiring sessions with Manny people. One thing to note is that during a hiring session they will most likely tell you you will have crap days off and be on midnights (after you complete your apprenticeship) and have the worst of worst jobs. This is a ploy to weed through the people. Remember with a job like that seniority is everything. The more you have the more you can choose from as far as shifts and jobs.