MECP. Yay or Nay?

[x1le 10+ year member]

I'm just wondering how many people here are mecp certified? If so are you basic, advanced, or master certified?

And do you all think it is a worthy investment or not? I've been trying to find a job as an installer for a while now and have been having a tough time. I thought I'd improve my chances and become mecp certified. Bought the basic study guide and have been reading it for a while now but want to make sure I know the book inside and out before I go drop the $ for the test.

I've had people tell me it's worth it, and others say it's a waste of time. What's your take on it?

Sorry if this has been done before. Did a quick search and did not notice anything recent. Just curious what everyone's opinions are.

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[azbass 5,000+ posts]

if its worth it for you.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

it has kept my pockets fat

 

[DjiNN 10+ year member]

I'm not certified yet but when i become a basic installer, i'll be reimbursed by Best Buy. Probably by next week ill be in the install bay.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Nope. Therefore I ****.

 

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

it has kept my pockets fat

hell yea x2

im advanced working on master..

i have been in the shop mecp certified for 5 years now , but 8 year's total working with 12v audio/ video ect..

been worth it to me, plus i went to a school and got a degree in mobile electronics allso..//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

the school was R.I.T.O.P. School for mobile electronics in water town Mass.

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

hell yea x2
im advanced working on master..

i have been in the shop mecp certified for 5 years now , but 8 year's total working with 12v audio/ video ect..

been worth it to me, plus i went to a school and got a degree in mobile electronics allso..//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

the school was R.I.T.O.P. School for mobile electronics in water town Mass.

i was offered to have a the courses paid for by my father at installer institute when i was like 18 years old. i regret not doing it... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[x1le 10+ year member]

hell yea x2the school was R.I.T.O.P. School for mobile electronics in water town Mass.

So you enjoyed your schooling there? I live about 45 minutes away from the place. It's just expensive for any school, $5k+ for about 2 months of schooling. Thought I would attempt to learn myself and use the money on tools instead.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Eh, just get a degree in electronics or electrical engineering, it will take you further.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Going to school for EE / Robotics. Hopefully join up with some place like iRobot.

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

im advanced, its worth it if you get a raise for it.

Ill be master soon while its still means something

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

ok, here is my perspective of the whole MECP cerfification, and Mobile school

I went to Mobile Electronics in the Toronto Canada area. I went in there just with street knowledge of car audio, and working on it myself. I went to M.E. for an 8 week period. Every week they had about a 50-80lb. book on what we were supposed to know. Going in there as a part noob, it was almost IMPOSSIBLE to remember everything they teached you, unless you read through all the books, studied the hell outta them, AND remembered everything discussed in the 3 hr. lectures every day.. up to I think 5hrs a day.

I passed the course with a B or B+ after all the tests. The Basic test was easy as all hell, and if you have any knowledge of ohms law math, and basic car audio knowledge, you could pass that test with flying colors. I'd say don't waste your time going to school for the basic degree (which will get you into best buy). But after best guy... no local shops, or smaller places are going to give a DAM N if you are basic certified, or even 2nd level. Its all about your experience, and what you can/have done. MANY install shops just want someone who can do alarms, and I mean really well, that could land you a job right there at many smaller shops. Other problem is getting a job at a private shop with out a ton of experience is really hard.. nobody wants to take the time out of their day to train someone...they all say, "go to best buy" and get experience. Best buy didnt teach me crap.. I was at 2 locations... 1 of them.. same thing as small shops.. the senior guys didnt want to take time out of their day to teach me crap...other place didnt get to much business...

As far as the advanced test goes.. that was hard as all hel l. Even the teachers there didnt know all the answers because it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO out of date. Even though the RIGHT THING to do is often the WRONG answer based on MECP standards...they teach you to do it anyways.. I remember so many times arguments and conflicts came up about things that have to be done on modern day cars, that they don't teach you in MECP...its a lot of old skool techniques

SUM IT UP: if you want to get basic certified... pay 5-10bucks and take the test online.. if you want more, go get trained

 

[kovemaster559 5,000+ posts]

i say yah. it alwasy looks good on paper. plus you can demand more out of any shop!

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Going to school for EE / Robotics. Hopefully join up with some place like iRobot.

I'm also an EE student, although we tend to focus a lot more on electronics than EE at my univerity. I have an internship with Toyota next month. The pay will be very nice for a 60 hr undergrad

 

[kovemaster559 5,000+ posts]

So you enjoyed your schooling there? I live about 45 minutes away from the place. It's just expensive for any school, $5k+ for about 2 months of schooling. Thought I would attempt to learn myself and use the money on tools instead.

5k right. you will make that back in double your first year! instead of $12 an hour. you will get 15-16 that alone is worth it!