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Q: What is your job description?
A: Mechanic at a British classic car shop- work on mainly Rolls Royce, Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Range Rovers, etc… Also work at a Mustang/ muscle car suspension shop doing blueprinted classic mustang suspension, alignments on a lot of Mopars and special requests.
Q: How did you choose to become a mechanic?
A: I chose this field because there is always something to do. I find this line of work enjoyable, and there will always be a demand for good mechanics.
Q: What does it take to be a successful mechanic?
A: Like anything else you have to pay attention. This isn’t a desk job and serious injuries can result from neglecting your surroundings. My jobs are not to simply replace parts, but make replacements function better and look aesthetically pleasing- so a good background in engineering and knowledge of tools is a must.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My dream job is what I am working towards now- being an editor for an automotive magazine. My favorite is “Mustangs Monthly”. I work with a few of their editors now; we did an electric fan install article, are currently doing a wiring article on my ’66 mustang, and a trunk-mount battery article.
Q: What real world experience did you get during school?
A: At LAPC, I am a photographer for the school newspaper. So far I have learned time-planning, the importance of deadlines, working with others to get a project produced, and that work is more than 9-5 5 days a week.
Q: What advice can you offer to students?
A: Do whatever it takes to get yourself into a position to love what you do. There are a lot of opportunities in the world, and a lot of people who hate their jobs. Do what you will be proud of- if you work at it, money will come to you.
Q: I’m interested in becoming a mechanic or a car dealer because I like cars. Would those two careers be in the same field?
A: Mechanics and car dealers are really two distinct professions. As a mechanic, you’re working hands-on with vehicles. A car dealer is a sales position and you’re working directly with customers. Would you rather work hands on with cars or help people decide the best car to purchase? If you want to be a mechanic, find a mechanic training program.
If you want to be a car dealer, I would study business in college with a focus on sales. It would also be helpful to take automotive classes so you have a thorough understanding of the mechanics of cars.
Q: Do you suggest military training before going into the auto mechanic field?
A: That’s actually a really good idea. In the military, you can choose a professional focus — which in your case could be mechanics. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of practical experience and hands-on training. Entering the field with a good deal of experience under your belt will help you find good work and advance quickly.
Q: What kind of education/degree program is best to become an auto mechanic?
A: You can find a lot of good schools but I would recommend looking for a program that’s recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Beyond that, you should pick one that matches your interests in terms of location and whatnot.
Talk with administrators at each school you’re interested in–ask them what assistance they offer with job placement. People will often complete a two-year program at a vocational school or community college to become an auto mechanic.
Q: Is being a mechanic hard?
A: It can be challenging at times. For one, there are the physical demands – you have to spend long periods of time with your body bent in an awkward position, which can be stressful and tiring. Then there’s the mental demands – sometimes you encounter a problem you’ve never seen or your repairs don’t work as you expected. Plus, communicating with customers can be hard. It’s difficult to put auto-talk into everyday terms for people who aren’t familiar with the technical aspects.
Many customers walk into the situation frustrated because a big piece of their life is broken and it often affects other parts of their life (nobody likes to be without a car and everyone hates having to pay for unexpected repairs). Regardless, I really enjoy the job – I’m always learning and I welcome challenges…it’s like solving a puzzle. And it’s rewarding to see satisfied customers.
Q: If you want to be a mechanic for a big company like Toyota or Honda, do you need more than an Associate’s degree?
A: No you do not. And you should do some research on companies that you’re interested in. Some manufacturers and dealers will work with schools to sponsor associate’s programs.
