1 answer
Aaron
Student
Castroville, CA
2
Questions
Asked
349 views
Auto-mechanics?
1. What made you do this this Career?
2.What was your motivation?
1 answer
Erik Owens
Automotive Diagnostics Technician
1
Answer
Tallahassee, Florida
Updated
Erik’s Answer
Remember that transportation regardless of location is critical to the economy.
Your first questions answer is that I was military aviation ordnance (avionics but mostly bombs, missiles and aircraft gun systems.). Only 90% of that translates to civilian without contracting with military based technology. I was good as troubleshooting electrical and electronic issues even though my job was very physical for the first half. I translated that foundation for electrical, reading wiring diagrams, aircraft multiplex communication to everyday vehicles that you ride in or drive. The civilian sector is a bit further evolved than military aircraft except weapons and mission critical goals.
Your second question was that my motivation was how do I make a living without a college degree. I had high school automotive, military discipline with methodical troubleshooting skills as well as a tiny financial boost to go to school to update myself on the changes. I have generally worked on most systems of vehicles from brakes, suspension, engine performance to hybrid and electric vehicles. I use most tools that engineers use to diagnose mostly since diagnosing intelligently actual gives your body a huge break when it comes to carrying the weight of each automotive job literally on your back or your body so you can increase longevity overtime.
It has paid my way in a particular flat rate based pay. That is different than commission, hourly or salary. My day is 10 hours mostly. I work or I don’t get paid. I can ‘flag’ 10 hours daily which is at times possible. If I get hung on a difficult job or say a bolt breaks and I need to extract it I get compensated but for a set time. If I lose 2 hours fixing something I broke I do not get paid for that. I do a job in 3 hours but the book estimate time is 10 hours I get 10 hours. If I do a job for book estimate 3 hours but it takes 7 hours most the time I get 3 hours. Hopefully that sums it up. Also seasonally the business will fluctuate. Depending on your area it can really hurt when it’s incredibly cold or incredibly hot and inhospitable where folks stay in and don’t make service appointments.
Dealerships are normally the safest when starting out since manufactures are always pumping out vehicles. Those vehicles are not perfect either and are subject to safety recalls which also supplement a technicians income.
Just make sure your training is top notch as well as your shop or the team you work with. They will hold and support you to succeed and make money instead of losing out.
Your first questions answer is that I was military aviation ordnance (avionics but mostly bombs, missiles and aircraft gun systems.). Only 90% of that translates to civilian without contracting with military based technology. I was good as troubleshooting electrical and electronic issues even though my job was very physical for the first half. I translated that foundation for electrical, reading wiring diagrams, aircraft multiplex communication to everyday vehicles that you ride in or drive. The civilian sector is a bit further evolved than military aircraft except weapons and mission critical goals.
Your second question was that my motivation was how do I make a living without a college degree. I had high school automotive, military discipline with methodical troubleshooting skills as well as a tiny financial boost to go to school to update myself on the changes. I have generally worked on most systems of vehicles from brakes, suspension, engine performance to hybrid and electric vehicles. I use most tools that engineers use to diagnose mostly since diagnosing intelligently actual gives your body a huge break when it comes to carrying the weight of each automotive job literally on your back or your body so you can increase longevity overtime.
It has paid my way in a particular flat rate based pay. That is different than commission, hourly or salary. My day is 10 hours mostly. I work or I don’t get paid. I can ‘flag’ 10 hours daily which is at times possible. If I get hung on a difficult job or say a bolt breaks and I need to extract it I get compensated but for a set time. If I lose 2 hours fixing something I broke I do not get paid for that. I do a job in 3 hours but the book estimate time is 10 hours I get 10 hours. If I do a job for book estimate 3 hours but it takes 7 hours most the time I get 3 hours. Hopefully that sums it up. Also seasonally the business will fluctuate. Depending on your area it can really hurt when it’s incredibly cold or incredibly hot and inhospitable where folks stay in and don’t make service appointments.
Dealerships are normally the safest when starting out since manufactures are always pumping out vehicles. Those vehicles are not perfect either and are subject to safety recalls which also supplement a technicians income.
Just make sure your training is top notch as well as your shop or the team you work with. They will hold and support you to succeed and make money instead of losing out.
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