3 answers
Steve’s Answer
I was a GM mechanic for 8 years and did a lot of side work on AG equipment, like excavators, farm equipment and tractors. In my experience a trade school or technical college is a great way to learn the basics of the job. Id search schools that offer the the courses you'd like to start your career, see if they offer placement services once you graduate. Getting certified as an ASE mechanic will open more doors for you than not. School will teach you just the basics of the trade and most employers are looking for experience.
Steve recommends the following next steps:
Richard’s Answer
Whatever you have around your house under adult supervision like a lawn mower is good or your parents car. If you have a parent or caregiver who does their own routine maintenance like air filters, brakes, oil changes, etc., I would highly recommend starting here. My dad and I did brakes, universal joints, batteries, water pumps, and more. I then worked for an auto parts store where they paid for my ASE certification.
If the above examples have interested you or you have done some of them already and want to continue your automotive career, I highly recommend getting with a local technical school for more information and classes. UTI (universal technical institute) comes to mind of a leading school that prepared you for everything from diesel to marine, and even specialized courses for companies like Mercedes-Benz and more.
If it's your passion, don't let anyone steer you from your dream! Go get it!
Corona’s Answer
My brother was a car mechanic, and he actually started by working for other car mechanics in the area as an assistant when he was a teenager. The hands on work experience really helped him.
The next step is to get certified. Here is a website that describes the types of certifications available as well as the requirements for obtaining them: https://www.auto.edu/blog/what-are-the-best-certifications-for-auto-mechanics/