Finish Diploma/Degree First?

[Dog1]

I currently attending tech. school for HVAC/R on the Atlanta southside. I still have a good amount of work left before I get my Diploma. I was just wondering about advice on trying to get a job while I'm still in school, or should I wait until I'm finished. I have zero real world experience. Any good leads on the Atlanta southside would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ga-hvac-tech]

IMO your education is the most important thing now... If you can work AND go to school without the added hours hurting the quality of your education... well some OJT (on the job experience) would be a plus.

As to work: Might have to apply at a lot of places to find work.

[Dog1]

Thanks GA-HVAC-Tech, I'm going to get this diploma no matter what. I might try and volunteer some work just to get experience....when I get time. I'm going to try to get the degree, it's already paid for through trade act assistance....since my job went to China.

[genduct]

You'll soon need to change your stage name to TOP DOG

[dandyme]

go ahead and start talking to companies in your area, explain your intent, maybe some OJT will come your way

[earlburnermann]

I'm in the same boat your in. Lot's of years in the oil heating industry and all of a sudden, no work. Started school at Suffolk County Community College last spring and am about half way to a certificate and with three more semesters after that, an AAS in HVAC.

I did find a job with my limited ac experience this summer. Not as much money as I'd like but unbelievable experience. I'd like to stay here when I graduate if possible. I explained my intention of completing my studies and all is going well.

Good luck!

[Dog1]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to read all I can on this website. It seems like there are very smart tech's on here. It really shows me how much I have left to learn. I know the learning never ends as well, so it's kind of overwhelming. I'm studying the electrical stuff now, but I have no idea how to put it to use troubleshooting yet.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to read all I can on this website. It seems like there are very smart tech's on here. It really shows me how much I have left to learn. I know the learning never ends as well, so it's kind of overwhelming. I'm studying the electrical stuff now, but I have no idea how to put it to use troubleshooting yet.

Might want to learn as much as you can in this area...

A lot of service ends up being trouble-shooting electrical (both line voltage and low voltage control circuits). Getting comfortable with trouble-shooting electrical is a good skill to have... and one that continues to be tweaked... actually we never stop learning until we die... not kidding on that last one!

[Sun Dog]

One trouble shooting tip I learned when I was in school-something my instructor said his instructor taught him: Look over a system or situation like you have no instruments, no meters etc. Use your five senses (carefully-dont' stick your tongue to 480v or some such, dont' inhale fire from the burner into your nostrils) and see what they tell you.

Sounded silly as heck, but my instructor wasn't a silly man. Many many times in the field using this tecnique yielded the answer. Heck yeah I use every instrument I can get, take in all the data I can. But sometimes just using your observational skills is where you say "Aha, I see what the problem is!"

[ga-hvac-tech]

One trouble shooting tip I learned when I was in school-something my instructor said his instructor taught him: Look over a system or situation like you have no instruments, no meters etc. Use your five senses (carefully-dont' stick your tongue to 480v or some such, dont' inhale fire from the burner into your nostrils) and see what they tell you.

Sounded silly as heck, but my instructor wasn't a silly man. Many many times in the field using this tecnique yielded the answer. Heck yeah I use every instrument I can get, take in all the data I can. But sometimes just using your observational skills is where you say "Aha, I see what the problem is!"

This is EXCELLENT advise... I would like to add to it:

NEVER assume anything is working as it should be. One spends the most time on a 'murhpy' system (a system one just cannot find the problem) when they assume this or that... ALWAYS check whatever comes to mind... even if just a simple check as noted in the quote above... using senses without instruments.

If the problem persists beyond a careful 'look-see'... time to check things more carefully.

[Wester399]

yes it never hurts the talk to local companies tell them what your doing keep your name in their heads. I wish i would have done more of that when i was in school. You know you could even ask if they are super busy and need a helping hand on weekends. That way you can start out show your interested and if you do well chances are once your done you ll have a job.

[synergy]

Try your local union they usally will bump you way up on the waiting list if you have some schooling.

[John Markl]

There's a company in Atlanta named "Logan's" I think.....Mark Logan teaches with Ron Smith, and they're big on hiring new guys to do tune-ups.

You might look into that.