What’s It Like to Be a Career-Changer Student at UTI?

At Universal Technical Institute (UTI), our students come from all walks of life. We have students of all ages, genders, backgrounds and experience levels. Some students are older adults who have already had decades of experience in the workforce. Others are parents who want to show their families that pursuing a career you enjoy should always be a priority, no matter what your prior experience is.

Check out Vincent's story . At 39 years old, he completed UTI training to help support his large family.

The hands-on classroom/lab experience at UTI is always one that welcomes everyone with open arms. If any of these sound like you, UTI might be the perfect fit:

• You've been in the workforce for a while and are considering a career change
• You're looking for a fulfilling work path
• You're interested in cars, motorcycles or other vehicles and are ready to pursue your passion

Heading to tech school after you've already established yourself in the workforce presents some unique opportunities. It's never too late to go after your dreams and learn a craft that can lead to a solid career that’s also a heck of a lot of fun. 1 If you're considering expanding your skill set with technician training, here's what you can expect from an education at UTI.

What Kind of Support Do Career Changer Students Receive at UTI?

At UTI, we have a team of Admissions Representatives who are here to help potential students every step of the way to determine if UTI is right for them. Once you're enrolled, our Student Services team provides personalized services to help with:

• Housing: If you don't currently live near a  UTI campus, we have relationships with third-party student housing providers to offer students a variety of options. We even offer relocation grants and commuter grants. You can watch the story of one UTI grad, who moved his family to attend Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) and is now a technician and YouTube influencer.
• Financial aid: UTI will make more than $15 million in sponsored scholarships and grants available to students in 2022 — and that includes all of our students!10 We'll also help you identify unique scholarships you might qualify for, as well as financial aid options like federal aid and  veterans programs.
• Employment:

We currently have UTI grads working for leading manufacturers including General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and BMW—just to name a few!

At UTI, we're invested in every student who is a part of our programs. From helping you find employment to making your entrance into school a smooth transition, we're always here for you.

What Can You Do with UTI Training?

If you're going to invest time and money in a  school for automotive repair or other trade, you want to have an idea of what kind of return you can expect. While UTI cannot guarantee employment or salary, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has some encouraging news for aspiring technicians.

• There are more than 67,000 estimated average annual automotive job openings in the U.S.41
• There are more than 25,000 estimated average annual diesel job openings in the U.S.43
• There are more than 45,000 estimated average annual welding job openings in the U.S.42

Technicians are in demand across the country. You can hear several employer stories about why they value UTI graduates for their businesses here.

With a skilled technician education, you might even choose to open up your own business, like many of our talented graduates. UTI grad Justin T. Pawlak started his own racing team, and UTI grad Bogi Lateiner opened her own automotive shop. These are just a couple examples of how you can blaze your own trail with training from UTI.

Go After Your Goals, and Carve Out a Career Path Doing What You Love

UTI has delivered more than 220,000 graduates in its 55-year history. We've created long-lasting relationships with some of the world’s  top brands and employers. Our instructors are experienced professionals who bring industry expertise into the classroom. No matter what your current skill level is, each student receives individualized attention so that they can be successful.

If you'd like to learn more about UTI, you can view all our campuses  here. Click on the program or location you're interested in, and you can  get in touch with an Admissions Representative directly to learn about your options. We'd love to welcome you to the UTI family.