Back to school at 40!!

Mcnabb

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Well I enrolled to go to MMI in sept. Has anyone on here went to MMI? I have worked in a factory for the last 16 years and getting very sick of it! Just hope I'm not screwing up lol I'm sure there's some of you out there that know what I mean.
 
Mac it is never too late to return to school. It just depends how long you want to work and how employable that you will be when you graduate.
 
Its never too late. My mom went back to school I have her 40s and started a whole new carreer. I teach at a local community college and have had many 40+ students.

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40 is still a youngster. Seriously. Hell, now I think I'll get a Phd in ethnobiochemophysiology.

But seriously, I asked a wise 90 year old man once what the secret of a long life was. His reply was he never worked in a factory. It was Robert Lockwood, Jr. actually. But you can get out of the factory without a formal education. Just got to be on your toes, like Bob.
 
I'm 39 & been attending community college off & on for near 10 years now.
No big deal really.
If ya wanna work on stockers you're going to a good school. Hell, if ya wanna do any hands on experience ya wouldn't normally get--good school--I checked them & a couple of the others around, goof proof knowledge coming out of there.
Ya should be alright.
Guess it really all depends on what ya are gonna do when ya get out. Being an employer--a 19-20 year old offers a little more resilience than a 40 year old...that's how I thought of it when contemplating it...probably isn't a scare for ya though; wasn't a scare for me just brought my intentions into a brighter light.
 
I have not heard anything about MMI graduates but 20/20 or some other show did a piece on another school that was interesting. It seems that graduates were promised jobs they never could find or if they did were making 8 bucks an hour with little or no chance of advancement.
I hope your experience is better, In my opinion as long as you learn a trade you can always open your own shop, unlike some of the type of schools where you have to rely on being hired by a company due to unobtainable start up cost`s.
Good luck.
 
I have earned my living as a Motorcycle Mechanic since 2001. I did not attend any technical training school what so ever. Not even in high school ! I was hired by a dealer as a clean slate, PDI technician for $7 an hour. After five years at the dealer I was making $12 an hour (I live in western NY). By that time I had the skill set to do any engine overhaul, tranny rebuild, crash repair and diagnose any electrical issue with ease. So dont plan on getting rich unless you work for yourself, stay in a warm climate with year round riding season, or do a ton of side jobs.
I did attend three H-D training courses at MMI Orlando and was impressed by the facility and the H-D instructors. I have also been to WyoTech in Fremont, CA for two Ducati training classes. I was not impressed by the school, especially the shop bikes were piss poor.
There were a few young MMI grads that came to work at the dealership I was at. They were very green, had little troubleshooting skills and HUGE debt (from MMI tuition and tool purchases).
Take the risk and go for your dreams!
READ every book, service manual, and technical bulletin you can. MASTER the fundamentals of electrical diagnostics. You cold build a reputation/career on fixing botched electrical repairs.
Live it, eat it and breathe it 24/7 and you might make it as a motorcycle technician.
 
Daroberts3 the plan is to get my own shop going. I would like to work for a dealer for a year or two first to kind of get people to know me and trust me enough to bring there bikes to me and not the dealer. Lol. I work on quit a few bikes now but the payment is a thank you or beer most of the time. I'm going to give it a go start aug 27. O and one other thing darobert3 in case ya didn't know mights are on a chickens ass!! I will make it!! But I thank you for your info along with everyone that posted up big thanks to all.
 
YEAH! Determination is what its all about. Be very clear with any possible employers as to your intent to work on motorcycles on the side. Some dealers I have worked for did not allow this, more over it is not a good idea to steal customers from any one's shop. Always be honest, before the excramint hits the rotator! But building trust and a customer following is a must in order to go out on your own. It is a tricky balance. Somehow you need to get your beer payments transferred to cash. At least until your beer supply gets low! You have to sell yourself, your skills and abilities. Start working on a professional level and you are off to a great start. GOOD LUCK !!!
 
I don't mean to rain on your parade. But from friends and everyone I talk to that has attended says MMI is a waste...
The job market is kinda of terrible for this stuff anyways, unless you are working for yourself with a good clientele.
I currently work at one of the largest motorcycle dealers in Arizona. I have all sorts of MMI students come in all the time, begging for a job.
I'm not trying to detour you from your dream, just make you aware...
I think your better off on your own doing hands on.. If you have some mechanical ability just go for it.
 
O your not going to rain on my parade. Lol. I'm not some kid thinkin it's all going to be paved in gold and shit like that. Lol I have worked hard all my life and I'm sure this is not going to be any different. But if I don't make it I will know I gave it my best! Puls I will always have it! That is something death can only take away!! But I here ya load and clear!!
 
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