MECP. Yay or Nay?

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

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

Doing a co-op with National Grid right now, making decent bucks. Only getting payed as a Freshman though, because I transfered to a different college and major //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[Innovative:Cory 10+ year member]

Here are my thought and I am not trying to take the wind out of anyones sails here...

http://www.mecp.com/masters.asp

That is a map of all the current MECP Master Installers (still with a valid certificate, it is only valid for 4 years)

As an Advanced Certified Tech I can say I see the pros and cons of the process.

First I will list the pros:

Can help in pay increase, promotion (usually the big box stores, circuit city, best buy, etc. etc)

Can help make the buying process for the consumer easier seeing the certificates on the wall...(this however is a double edge sword, I will explain later..)

Pride ( it always feels good to accompish something for yourself)

The new study guides have more updated information, they have also just revamped the master's test..

Cons:

Shops usually want someone with experience... (in my own practices if I have to choose between hiring a guy with MECP and no experience or a guy with experience and no MECP...I am taking the guy with experience.. every time..)

How much credibility does it add? Most consumers see the certificate and ask what it is... when you then tell them what it is they usually have a comment like ." they have a test for this?" If we can get the MECP program to be as well recognized as ASE then we will have something here...

Now in my opinion here are my thoughts....

The basic installer test anyone who can read and comprehend reading should be able to pass this test with the lowest passing score....

The Advanced Installer test... for me this test was very very easy... but to each their own.. This test should be in my opinion the basic..

I have 5 months to take my Masters Exam or I have to recertify Advanced again, I have just not had time to take the test. If you study all the recommended readings you are really getting into some advanced stuff.. Loudspeaker Design Cookbook is a fun read!! The Masters Study guide has some good stuff, leaves some to be desired...

In all, to make a long post short..... if you are already in a position where this can make you more money, better position...do it...

If you are doing this hoping to get into the industry... you might be better off asking a local shop if you can be an unpaid apprentice...

Just my .02

Oh and for the double edge sword part.... If you are the only certified tech in the shop, be prepared to have a larger work load... Customers will see your certificate and only want you to work on their vehicles..

 

[x1le 10+ year member]

Thank you for the informative post. Good to hear from someone whose already been there and done it. It's tough because there's really only 2 ways to get experience, either go to school for it or get a job doing it. I've done plenty of installs for friends and such but I know shops don't want to be hearing that.

 

[quest51210 10+ year member]

i went to II. what sucks is all you guys say you got a "degree". it is not a degree by any means, but maybe a Level One Certification. shows you took the time to learn the basics the correct way.

some people say they would rather buy tools than attend the school, but if you have no knowledge of how to use them correctly you are pretty worthless as is.

when i first started at circuit city i was paid $9/hr and 1.5 years later was getting paid $14/hr

becoming knowledgeable in this field is just like any other field, the more certifications or education you acquire the more you can request for your services. it is a good stepping stone and anyone that can read, write, and perform basic math can become a bronze level installer. i was bronze twice and topped out at $20/hr at best buy. moved up to Advanced or silver and was paid $22/hr...i then moved to a few custom shops and love all the fun i had.

i ended my career at two custom shops and made anywhere from 40-55k a year. i am now in a more professional political career now and dont regret how i got to where i am now.

 

[quest51210 10+ year member]

do you have pictures of these installs? pictures documenting your skills like attention to detail and custom work? you can use this as a tool, but it needs to be done well and your work needs to be clean enough to impress them that you are capable. like i said the bronze level mecp got my foot in the door, the rest was self motivation and experience that i learned rather quickly. i already had great work ethic and work history, eventhough i was only 20.

when i was hired at CC, they fired the entire dept and left 3 of us to man the place. i was forced to learn quickly and did both sales and install. led my region for a few months before we got backup. its what you make of it

Thank you for the informative post. Good to hear from someone whose already been there and done it. It's tough because there's really only 2 ways to get experience, either go to school for it or get a job doing it. I've done plenty of installs for friends and such but I know shops don't want to be hearing that.

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

hm.

i applied for BB tonight.

does anyone do home audio/theater installations? like for best buy , tweeter , etc.?

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

I should apply to BB's install bay for a part time during this semester... Would easily upgrade the quality around here.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

hm.i applied for BB tonight.

does anyone do home audio/theater installations? like for best buy , tweeter , etc.?

im a car installer for tweeter //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

im a car installer for tweeter //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

pimp shit.

my plan is to get into BB and eventually get into home installs since that seems to be where the money is at. you know anything about it?

 

[Ed Lester 10+ year member]

I was advanced back when I worked as an installer. It helped me get a higher pay scale at Circuit City. I am not sure if they do that anymore though.

 

[gl0ck 10+ year member]

If you are a honestly good installer word of mouth will reflect so, most fresh mecp installer's that come into apply for installer positions always are just like dealer techs, parts changers with no understanding of what is really at work. Their is much more to 12v installations then a dash kit and a wiring harness...

This how ever is not preached in m.e.c.p. as far as i see anyways. But i agree with innovative go to a respectable shop, push the right buttons and don't get in the way..

 

[Jmac 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.

If you want to make a career out of it, it's worth it. It will make finding a decent paying job or starting your own business much easier.
However, if you just plan on doing it as a hobby or as casual employment (say at Best Buy), I don't think it's worth going to school for. Perhaps studying and taking the test to get your basic cert, but not beyond that as the cost:benefit ratio climbs steeply.

Personally, I'm not MECP certified, but I have several friends that are (including a couple that spent well in excess of $10,000 to go to an MECP certified school) and they don't know more than I do (in fact, they don't know anywhere near as much as I know). The ones who went to school really improved their fabrication skills, especially in regards to fiberglass and woodworking. They kick my *** in this area.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

pimp shit.my plan is to get into BB and eventually get into home installs since that seems to be where the money is at. you know anything about it?

home guys make very good money but it is an entirely different animal then car

 

[Jeremy M 10+ year member]

i'm seeing study guides all over the place....is there one better then another?

(not trying to thread jack)

 

[x1le 10+ year member]

i'm seeing study guides all over the place....is there one better then another?(not trying to thread jack)

Study guides should all be the same. There's basic, advanced, and master. You get the one appropriate for your level.