The Ritop Wire
November 2002

Our next full-time 8-week class starts January 7, 2003. Call us toll-free at 888-44-RITOP or visit ritop.com for more information or to schedule a tour of our school.

School Information Session

To learn more about the Ritop School, you are cordially invited to attend an information session on Saturday December 7, 2002 at 10:00 AM. Please RSVP to 888-44-RITOP. If you cannot attend the meeting and need more information, an individual appointment can be scheduled.

MECP Test Dates

The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics is offering testing to the public for MECP certification.  There are 6 different certifications including Basic Installer. First Class Installer, Autosound Specialist, Security Specialist, Master Installer and Mobile Product Specialist. Prerequisites for each certification are available on the MECP web site.

We are offering a test preparation seminar and review for the Basic Installer exam for anyone interested in preparing for the exam. The test preparation classes will take place immediately prior to the MECP exam and are offered at the low introductory rate of $25.00 per class.

The exam dates are:

• Thursday, February 27th 2003
• Thursday, April 24th 2003
• Wednesday, June 25th 2003
• Thursday, August 28th 2003
• Thursday, October 23rd 2003
• Monday, December 22nd 2003

Each test date starts promptly at 1:00pm. The cost for the Basic Installer exam is $35.00 as of November, 2002. For current pricing and information on all the certification exams, visit the MECP web site.

All tests will be given at The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics, 200 Dexter Ave., Watertown, MA. 02472. To schedule an exam or for more information please contact Ricardo toll-free at 888-44RITOP or e-mail ricardo@ritop.com.

Interview With Ritop Graduate Brianna Matthews

In this male dominated world of Mobile Electronics, occasionally a spark of femininity arrives on our doorstep. Where other schools across the country discourage females from applying, here at The Ritop School, we actively look for the chance to train women along with of our male students. Let me introduce Brianna Matthews, a recent graduate the school.

Following is an interview with Ms. Brianna Matthews,

Tell me something about yourself?

Brianna Matthews: I am a 21 year old self starter in my third year of school at University of Massachusetts. I decided to take off a hard-earned summer to study a field of interest.

What got you interested in mobile electronics?

BM: My boyfriend works in a local electronics store and after hearing about the mobile electronics industry, I got excited. I kept asking him questions about car audio and how it works. I visited his shop where installers were working on a car, and wondered if I could do that.

How did you decide which school to attend?

BM: I was looking for a job change and saw an article about The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics in a  magazine and it sparked my interest. When I found out that the school was close to my home, I called for some information and went to visit the school. I liked what I saw and applied for their part-time class. Having the summer off, I changed my mind and decided to attend the full-time class instead. I am glad that I made the change.

What did you like about Ritop? 

BM: I was fascinated by their attention to detail and the classes were divided into small groups, unlike college. In addition, the hands-on, individual training that the school provided was great for me. I like that everybody there cared about every student’s level of achievement as compared to college where everyone is a number.

How was it being the only female in your class? 

BM: I was intimidated in the first week. Once I knew all my classmates names, I felt better. I didn’t feel like the staff changed their approach to teaching just because I was there. 

Would you encourage other women to attend the school?

BM: Definitely, it was a great experience. Other women shouldn’t be discouraged from applying just because they are a female.

Did you have trouble finding work after you completed your education? 

BM: Not at all, my boyfriend spoke to his boss and told him that just graduated from The Ritop School. His boss knew of the school and thought highly of it, so he had no trouble hiring me and putting me into an installation bay.

Are you planning on attending competitions? 

BM: Not right now, but maybe in the future when I finish college.

What do you like most about being an installer?

BM: Being able to do the job that was assigned to me, having the respect from my peers to take on the challenge and completing it.

Any last words?

BM: Attending The Ritop School was a whirlwind of an experience and would do it all over again, in a heartbeat.

I would to thank Ms. Matthews for taking the time out of her installation bay to do this interview.

JL Audio Visits Ritop

The JL representatives were quite pleased to see the high level of training the school has to offer. They were also surprised to find out how far some students traveled to get to the school. An impromptu demonstration was held in the school’s installation bays using two JL Audio 12W-7 subwoofers in the project cars that the students are working on this semester, a 1997 Mercedes E320 and a 1996 BMW M3. Everyone had a pleasant time talking about different mobile audio products as well as the industry and where it is going. The Ritop School would like to thank the JL Audio representatives for stopping by the school and giving the students and staff words of praise and encouragement.

News for Graduates

Graduates please inform us if there are any employment opportunities at your place of work or if you are looking for a change in your status. Whether it is about a new product, a job opportunity, a promotion, or you want us to know that you are doing well; we would like to hear from you. Let us know if there are any address or other changes. E-mail info@ritop.com or fill out the on-line Information Update form.

Contact us for more information or to apply for admission:

• Mail:
  The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics
  200 Dexter Avenue
  Watertown, MA 02472
• Phone:
  Toll-Free: 1-888-44RITOP or 617/923-4043
  Fax: 617/923-4886
• Internet:
  www.ritop.com
  info@ritop.com
• On-Line:
  • Information Request
  • Application
  • Schedule a Tour