Car Audio School - Mobile Dynamics..

[fatblunt 10+ year member]

Ok so heres my situitation.

I have a few questions, for the people that work at Future Shop, Circuit City or some other shop that isn't solely professional installiations and audio stuff... what is the usual standard pay rate (approx.)?

I'm 16 years old and live a 30 min drive from Mobile Dynamics.

I'm considering going to this school next summer, hoping it would get me a job better than at minimum wage and more educated in the car audio business, as I'll probably end up going to school for something business related anyways.

The moneys not really a problem for me, I don't need to finance or anything but at the same time I would have better things to spend my hard earned money on then blowing it on something that won't get me my moneys worth in the end..

And if all I got out of a $6000 course was a little bit of knowledge than before, then to me that would not be worth it..

On the other side, if it got me a job and taught me how to install a full out car audio system from scratch, and all the dynamics and theorys behind it... I wouldn't feel that it would be such a loss..

I just don't want to make the mistake of gettin all hyped up for this and then come to realize it really was unnecessary and irrevelant to what is todays standards..

I know alot of it has to do with being updated on all the products and knowing things in a sense that way but... I've been on the forums for a couple months every now and then.. and I feel I could learn so much more about car audio from going to school.

But if its not going to help me out financially I mise well keep the 6gs and put it into something related with online home businesses...

Just something for thought... I need other peoples opinions and who have went there and got a job after, ect..

Anyone personally get a job right after going to Mobile Dynamics?

Its not a far drive from me and apparently they assist you in finding work.. Depending how money hungry they are its hard to say what there gonna go out of their way for you, ect...

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[cpierce 5,000+ posts]

Are you trying to make a career out of this?

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

mobile dynamics will teach you the theories and various ways of implementation while experience will teach how to successfully be an installer

 

[mavster 10+ year member]

man, go to your local community college and get a degree in something, maybe major in EE or something...

 

[AVSTANG02]

I am actually from Toronto.

I went to go check out the school 2+ years ago.

and then my dad went to go check it out.

than he proceeded to ***** me out for wanting to throw money away at a school teaching me stuff i could learn on my own for free.

He said it would be good for learning the math end, how to use various tools and the very general basics of how to install car alarms, headunits, speakers, wiring, amps, etc... but definately not worth what it costs.

and then i proceeded to continue to argue and he said fine go talk to places that might hire you and find out what they say...

well every single shop told me they would not PAY me out of the school because the market is so bad and i'd still have sooooooo much to learn..

only best buy and future shop seemed like my options for work...

 

[fatblunt 10+ year member]

Are you trying to make a career out of this?

I am planning on taking a business background (very business driven)... and no matter what field I persue in life it would have to do something with owning my own business... or being an entrepenuer (sp?)

So i was planning on working at a car audio place until I get my business degree or something like that... work up enough money to open my own custom audio installation shop / online audio retail business..

man, go to your local community college and get a degree in something, maybe major in EE or something...

Electronic engineering? I won't be done high school for another 1.5 years so I was thinking this was something I could do in the mean time... and use it as a stepping stone or something that would add to the experience or knowledge I could aquire in University/College. But I guess when it comes down to it, in this time I could toy around with my personal car and audio systems with friends,ect. and learn that way.

$6000 is alot of money for me to just blow on something that quick if its not going to come back as quickly.

I am actually from Toronto.
I went to go check out the school 2+ years ago.

and then my dad went to go check it out.

than he proceeded to ***** me out for wanting to throw money away at a school teaching me stuff i could learn on my own for free.

He said it would be good for learning the math end, how to use various tools and the very general basics of how to install car alarms, headunits, speakers, wiring, amps, etc... but definately not worth what it costs.

and then i proceeded to continue to argue and he said fine go talk to places that might hire you and find out what they say...

well every single shop told me they would not PAY me out of the school because the market is so bad and i'd still have sooooooo much to learn..

only best buy and future shop seemed like my options for work...

Yea I thought it was going to be a great idea at first, but after hearing peoples opinions its pretty much all the time thing, said in a different way...

I've come to realize that I don't think its worth it... I'm going to call Future Shop and Best Buy tomorrow to see if they pay higher wages to the certified installers (advanced cert, ect.)..

Does anyone know approx. what rates the upcoming / starting out mobile audio installers are getting paid these days?

 

[fatblunt 10+ year member]

mobile dynamics will teach you the theories and various ways of implementation while experience will teach how to successfully be an installer

But would the hands-on part of the course not count as experience?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think at Mobile Dynamics anyways, you install a system and do alot of hands on stuff... do you not?

 

[caraudioinstall 10+ year member]

i just got back from there about 3 months ago...the school is amazing it taught me alot theory wise.... any one can hook it up but when u have to go tell a customer whats wrong with there car and u say a relay and can explain that shit in detail they will be like wow this kid knows his shit!.......and having ur MECP does help out alot in getting a job........ some people will say dont go ur just wasting ur money... i say go it will help u in the long run..... just my 2 cents..

 

[caraudioinstall 10+ year member]

yeah but most is fabrication.... not a whole lot on taking the dashes apart... all they have r 2 scions that u do a full system on but thats about it..

 

[fatblunt 10+ year member]

i just got back from there about 3 months ago...the school is amazing it taught me alot theory wise.... any one can hook it up but when u have to go tell a customer whats wrong with there car and u say a relay and can explain that shit in detail they will be like wow this kid knows his shit!.......and having ur MECP does help out alot in getting a job........ some people will say dont go ur just wasting ur money... i say go it will help u in the long run..... just my 2 cents..

Yes and to know the theory behind everything and the way they work or the part they play in a system would never leave you in the dust..

Do you learn things like which recommened gauge of wiring to use? And how you can't have the signal and power wire run together, ect?

Cause the boat I'm in right now... I know the very minimal, things like understanding what the specs mean on products (and half of them at that haha) so if I came out of a school and could come home and install an audio system and get a job that I enjoy doing... without question I don't think I would have regetted going there.

Its not like I would be reinforcing what I already know, I would pretty much be learning 99% of everything that would be new to me.

 

[styldaccordngly 10+ year member]

Ive been to Metro Auto Electronics and the Installer Institute, both are good schools if you plan on making a career out of your hobby. They teach alot of the theories and reasons which you simply do not get out in the field. And i think you need the theory and know how. I have a friend that went to mobile dynamics in boston, i think it is, and in comparison to how he described his experience, it seemed alot more hands on, but i must admit we went years and years ago...

If you go around and ask shop installers, i find there opinion is generally ill towards schools. but then again alot arent even certified. fyi, Im advanced cert'd now and plan on getting my masters in a year. I work at a 5 chain store and im the only cert'd installer, they all think its bs...

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

Ive been to Metro Auto Electronics and the Installer Institute, both are good schools if you plan on making a career out of your hobby. They teach alot of the theories and reasons which you simply do not get out in the field. And i think you need the theory and know how. I have a friend that went to mobile dynamics in boston, i think it is, and in comparison to how he described his experience, it seemed alot more hands on, but i must admit we went years and years ago...If you go around and ask shop installers, i find there opinion is generally ill towards schools. but then again alot arent even certified. fyi, Im advanced cert'd now and plan on getting my masters in a year. I work at a 5 chain store and im the only cert'd installer, they all think its bs...

thats the one in florida, right? i was planning on going there but decided not to. i picked up a mecp basic study guide and read through it. you do learn the most through hands-on shit rather than reading a book, but the studying does help out alot. like what causes what problems , reccomended wire gauge size , ground loops etc.

places like BB and CC will hire people for the install bay but you will be required to take the mecp test, they DO pay for it though. starting is ~ 9-10/hour , iirc. im still thinking about getting into the industry and maybe owning a business like the OP wants. id rather get a degree in business though and start from there.

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[fatblunt 10+ year member]

Hm... are you sure it wasn't Arizona? The only Mobile Dynamics locations I am aware of are the one in Richmond Hill/Toronto and Arizona..

Thats not too bad actually, I can see the mecp test being a bit irrevelant to the hands-on part but what do you expect a book to do? It can't give you experience or anything hands on..

But the school part of it would..

Its still a hard choice I'm finding though...

Because minimum wage for a standard job around here would be around $8cdn or so.. give or take 50cents/h .

And I attend school full time so the only time I'd have 8 weeks to spare would be in the summer... which would take up my whole summer.

So to expand my knowledge on the subject, yes.. I completely agree it would be worth it.

But being the age I am and where I am in life, spending $6000 and not having much time to spare or a summer to make even more money, I think is kind of out of my league right now.

I will end up talking to some shops though.. as it is something I would love to do, but I wouldn't end up doing it forever.. I have alot of options as far as University and College goes, but if I could incorporate something I enjoy doing and learning about into an eveeryday job while being financially sound... I can't think of anything better than that?

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

But would the hands-on part of the course not count as experience? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think at Mobile Dynamics anyways, you install a system and do alot of hands on stuff... do you not?

NO ive been to and from mobile dynamics. You come out knowing things in theroy as i stated as it simply is not enough time to teach you everything you need t know to be a good installer. Is theory good to know yes, as it helps with explanations to customers and troubeshooting but experience is really what makes a good installer. Experience teaches you what to look for when taking all different cars apart and little tricks that make your job easier. Experience is you making mistakes and learning from them. EXPERIENCE matters more so then school as the majority of the things and theories learned in school can be gotten out of the mecp books. Keep in mind im saying this having spent the money to go to mobile dynamics already

 

[fatblunt 10+ year member]

NO ive been to and from mobile dynamics. You come out knowing things in theroy as i stated as it simply is not enough time to teach you everything you need t know to be a good installer. Is theory good to know yes, as it helps with explanations to customers and troubeshooting but experience is really what makes a good installer. Experience teaches you what to look for when taking all different cars apart and little tricks that make your job easier. Experience is you making mistakes and learning from them. EXPERIENCE matters more so then school as the majority of the things and theories learned in school can be gotten out of the mecp books. Keep in mind im saying this having spent the money to go to mobile dynamics already

Very true, so let me ask you this... go back to before you went to the school.

Given you had the chance to go again and you know what you know about the school now (minus everything you learned), would you go again?