2 answers
Skyler
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
4
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What are some postsecondary education options for someone who wants to become an automotive mechanic?
I am in 10th grade and wondered if there are better options than others.
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2 answers
Eric Laney
Information Security Engineer
6
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Eric’s Answer
One of my kids looked into this as a career path. The specific schools we considered probably wouldn't be very helpful, since this was several years ago and they were all in the Southeast. However, the thing we discovered very quickly is that some are definitely better than others. Some schools are actually not designed to prepare you for a career, but to take your money and provide very little in return!
Since you're in 10th grade, start by talking to your guidance counselor. They can help you look for automotive programs in your public school system and in your local community. There are a couple of high schools in my county with automotive programs, and students who progress through the entire program typically leave high school already ASE-certified and with a job waiting for them at a local auto dealership. Some public school systems also have adult technical schools that provide career training such as what you are considering.
Regardless of who runs it, make sure any school you consider is focused on the ASE certifications. Those will be critical in getting and keeping a job once you're working. ASE Master Mechanic is definitely something to strive for, but you won't get that right away, so focus on learning the basics really well so you can be both thorough and fast with basic repairs. Get into the mechanics and automotive chat groups on the various social media platforms, and use them to find out the reputation of each automotive school you are considering. You may also find other schools and apprenticeships there that you hadn't known about before.
You also don't have to wait - everyone with a car needs to do basic maintenance, and there are lots of resources available online. I went from not knowing much about cars to replacing radiators, CV axles, and valve cover gaskets just by watching YouTube videos and talking to local auto enthusiasts. Start learning now, and look for someone who is willing to help you learn. Big, corporate repair shops probably can't let you into the repair bays, but a small, local repair shop might be willing to help you learn by pairing you up with a certified mechanic.
Talk to your guidance counselor about good options
Investigate high school automotive programs
Start learning the basics with YouTube
See if any local repair shops are willing to help you learn
Check out postsecondary schools in automotive social media
Since you're in 10th grade, start by talking to your guidance counselor. They can help you look for automotive programs in your public school system and in your local community. There are a couple of high schools in my county with automotive programs, and students who progress through the entire program typically leave high school already ASE-certified and with a job waiting for them at a local auto dealership. Some public school systems also have adult technical schools that provide career training such as what you are considering.
Regardless of who runs it, make sure any school you consider is focused on the ASE certifications. Those will be critical in getting and keeping a job once you're working. ASE Master Mechanic is definitely something to strive for, but you won't get that right away, so focus on learning the basics really well so you can be both thorough and fast with basic repairs. Get into the mechanics and automotive chat groups on the various social media platforms, and use them to find out the reputation of each automotive school you are considering. You may also find other schools and apprenticeships there that you hadn't known about before.
You also don't have to wait - everyone with a car needs to do basic maintenance, and there are lots of resources available online. I went from not knowing much about cars to replacing radiators, CV axles, and valve cover gaskets just by watching YouTube videos and talking to local auto enthusiasts. Start learning now, and look for someone who is willing to help you learn. Big, corporate repair shops probably can't let you into the repair bays, but a small, local repair shop might be willing to help you learn by pairing you up with a certified mechanic.
Eric recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Skyler!
If you're dreaming of becoming an automotive mechanic, you've got a bunch of great educational paths to choose from. You could go to a vocational or technical school, where you can get a certificate or diploma in automotive technology in just 6 months to a year. Or, you could attend a community college and get an associate degree in automotive technology, which gives you a broader education, including some general education courses.
You also have the option to take specialized automotive training programs. These are offered by manufacturers or industry groups, and they focus on specific types of vehicles or brands. These programs can even lead to certifications that can boost your job prospects.
When you're deciding between these choices, make sure to look into the curriculum, facilities, and industry partnerships of each program. This will help you figure out which one aligns best with your career ambitions.
Here are the top 3 authoritative resources you can check out for more information:
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - https://www.bls.gov/
2. National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation - https://www.natef.org/
3. Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) - https://www.ase.com/
And remember, Skyler, if you've got any questions, don't hesitate to ask! That's how we learn. And don't forget, it's totally fine to say a little prayer - there's no law against it!
Take care,
James.
If you're dreaming of becoming an automotive mechanic, you've got a bunch of great educational paths to choose from. You could go to a vocational or technical school, where you can get a certificate or diploma in automotive technology in just 6 months to a year. Or, you could attend a community college and get an associate degree in automotive technology, which gives you a broader education, including some general education courses.
You also have the option to take specialized automotive training programs. These are offered by manufacturers or industry groups, and they focus on specific types of vehicles or brands. These programs can even lead to certifications that can boost your job prospects.
When you're deciding between these choices, make sure to look into the curriculum, facilities, and industry partnerships of each program. This will help you figure out which one aligns best with your career ambitions.
Here are the top 3 authoritative resources you can check out for more information:
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - https://www.bls.gov/
2. National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation - https://www.natef.org/
3. Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) - https://www.ase.com/
And remember, Skyler, if you've got any questions, don't hesitate to ask! That's how we learn. And don't forget, it's totally fine to say a little prayer - there's no law against it!
Take care,
James.