UTI is a good school. i have worked with a couple people that graduated there and they knew their stuff.

I went to Wyotech. awesome place if you are there to learn, shittiest place in the universe if you want to have a good time (campus in laramie, wyoming).

as far as making your hobby a job, it depends on how determined you are to get where you want to be. i'm 22, work as a full time tech at RUF Auto Centre, and i also work on the pit crew of a Grand American Rolex racing team. yes, i've worked the 24 hours of daytona.