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how do I get in the automotive tech/mech with no level of experience, but open to grow and gain knowledge as I work?
I been looking for jobs already in the field it seems that no company want people with no experience but I'm willing to work as well to gain understand for my future job once I graduate as a mechanical engineer of if so if their any other jobs what would help me gain experience to help me gain knowledge for mechanical engineer.
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear David,
If you're passionate about breaking into the automotive tech/mech sector, despite having no prior experience, here's a roadmap to help you navigate your journey:
1. Education: Start by acquiring formal education in automotive technology or mechanical engineering. This will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and skills required in this industry. Your ongoing studies in mechanical engineering are a great first step.
2. Certifications: Earn recognized certifications from esteemed bodies like the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or the Automotive Service Association (ASA). These certifications validate your dedication to mastering automotive technologies and make you a more appealing candidate to employers.
3. Internships and Apprenticeships: Seek out internships or apprenticeships at local garages, dealerships, or auto repair shops. These practical experiences provide on-the-job training and mentorship from seasoned professionals, helping you develop hands-on skills and establish valuable industry contacts.
4. Volunteer Work: Donate your time at local car clubs, community events, or non-profit organizations that focus on auto repair or restoration. This not only expands your network but also gives you the chance to work on a variety of vehicles and learn from experienced volunteers.
5. Online Learning: Leverage online platforms like Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, or Coursera to supplement your formal education and deepen your knowledge in areas of interest within automotive technology or mechanical engineering.
6. Networking: Participate in industry events, become a member of professional organizations, and connect with other professionals in the field on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships with seasoned professionals can open doors to job opportunities and provide insights into current industry trends and challenges.
7. Part-time Jobs: Consider taking up part-time jobs in the automotive sector while you're studying or gaining practical experience through internships/apprenticeships. Roles could include working at an auto parts store, detailing cars, or providing transportation services for elderly individuals or people with disabilities. These jobs can help you hone essential soft skills like communication, time management, and customer service, while also providing some income during your educational journey.
8. Continuous Learning: Stay informed about the latest developments in automotive technology by subscribing to industry publications like “Motor Magazine,” “Automotive News,” or “Popular Mechanics.” Also, attend seminars, workshops, and conferences whenever you can to broaden your knowledge and network within the industry.
9. Manufacturer Certification Programs: Consider certification programs offered by manufacturers like Ford’s Q1 Certification Program or General Motors’ ASE Master Certification Program. These programs can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates when applying for jobs within these brands’ dealership networks.
Referenced Authorities:
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) - www.asecertifiedparts.org
Automotive Service Association (ASA) - www.asashopautorepairweekendwarriors
MIT OpenCourseWare - ocw@mit[.]edu
Best of luck,
JC.
If you're passionate about breaking into the automotive tech/mech sector, despite having no prior experience, here's a roadmap to help you navigate your journey:
1. Education: Start by acquiring formal education in automotive technology or mechanical engineering. This will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and skills required in this industry. Your ongoing studies in mechanical engineering are a great first step.
2. Certifications: Earn recognized certifications from esteemed bodies like the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or the Automotive Service Association (ASA). These certifications validate your dedication to mastering automotive technologies and make you a more appealing candidate to employers.
3. Internships and Apprenticeships: Seek out internships or apprenticeships at local garages, dealerships, or auto repair shops. These practical experiences provide on-the-job training and mentorship from seasoned professionals, helping you develop hands-on skills and establish valuable industry contacts.
4. Volunteer Work: Donate your time at local car clubs, community events, or non-profit organizations that focus on auto repair or restoration. This not only expands your network but also gives you the chance to work on a variety of vehicles and learn from experienced volunteers.
5. Online Learning: Leverage online platforms like Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, or Coursera to supplement your formal education and deepen your knowledge in areas of interest within automotive technology or mechanical engineering.
6. Networking: Participate in industry events, become a member of professional organizations, and connect with other professionals in the field on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships with seasoned professionals can open doors to job opportunities and provide insights into current industry trends and challenges.
7. Part-time Jobs: Consider taking up part-time jobs in the automotive sector while you're studying or gaining practical experience through internships/apprenticeships. Roles could include working at an auto parts store, detailing cars, or providing transportation services for elderly individuals or people with disabilities. These jobs can help you hone essential soft skills like communication, time management, and customer service, while also providing some income during your educational journey.
8. Continuous Learning: Stay informed about the latest developments in automotive technology by subscribing to industry publications like “Motor Magazine,” “Automotive News,” or “Popular Mechanics.” Also, attend seminars, workshops, and conferences whenever you can to broaden your knowledge and network within the industry.
9. Manufacturer Certification Programs: Consider certification programs offered by manufacturers like Ford’s Q1 Certification Program or General Motors’ ASE Master Certification Program. These programs can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates when applying for jobs within these brands’ dealership networks.
Referenced Authorities:
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) - www.asecertifiedparts.org
Automotive Service Association (ASA) - www.asashopautorepairweekendwarriors
MIT OpenCourseWare - ocw@mit[.]edu
Best of luck,
JC.
Thanks! Will definitely take this information to my best of uses as well thank you for taking your time of your day to answer my question!
David
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, David !
Before you finish your formal training to become an Auto Mechanic, there are a few ways to go about looking for part time or full time work that will bring you into the automotive world. If you do not know how to fix cars, it is understandable that you're not obtaining work as an auto mechanic yet.
Consider applying for work at used car lots, car dealers, rental car businesses, car detailing shops and limousine services. It's not necessary to apply for auto mechanics jobs at these places. Any positions would be helpful to you and bring you around cars and you may pick up knowledge and experience in a different capacity but still in the automotive field. You can aim for positions such as sales or office work or a general assistant to the staff in these businesses.
This is a great time for you to gain experience. If there are no job openings, try the local area auto parts retail chain stores to do volunteer work. Even if you're not repairing cars yet, you will become familiar with car parts, customer service (because that's a huge part of being an auto mechanic) and would be able to hear the customers' needs and you can always ask questions of staff and your manager. Try Auto Zone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, Carquest Auto Parts, Midway Auto Supply and the others. You can also consider looking for a job at AAA (road service). This will give you stellar customer service skills and may be good for meeting professional connections. Find out if you are in the age range to obtain employment and if not, ask for a volunteer or training experience from any of the companies I've mentioned.
Becoming part of the automotive community would help you also. People will get to know you and may have opportunities for you. Part of most journeys for a career begin with networking and being inside the field activities and events. I have left a link to a list of Car Show Events in Dallas that you can consider attending. It would benefit you to meet some new people, some who may be auto mechanics. You are fortunate to live in Dallas as there are many events like this. I have left two links below for your local automotive events.
Learning about this career will take time. You don't have to expect too much of yourself at first, take it a step at a time and learn all that you can. You can begin now by watching many videos on You Tube about how to become an auto mechanic. I have left the link for these videos for you below. By watching them, it will put things in perspective for you and you will undoubtedly gain insight for your future career.
So don't worry about not having experience yet - you are on your way to start the process. There's no need to rush it and there's lots of room to have fun learning about the most needed and exciting field of work. Before you know it, all of your friends and family will be asking you to explain their cars to them and you'll be teaching others ! Don't give up !
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best moving forward with learning about auto mechanics !
CAR SHOW EVENTS IN DALLAS https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tx--dallas/car-show/
CAR SHOWS IN DALLAS, TX https://allevents.in/dallas/car-shows
AAA AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA https://foursquare.com/locations/aaa/dallas
HOW TO BECOME AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC [VIDEOS] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+become+an+auto+mechanic
Before you finish your formal training to become an Auto Mechanic, there are a few ways to go about looking for part time or full time work that will bring you into the automotive world. If you do not know how to fix cars, it is understandable that you're not obtaining work as an auto mechanic yet.
Consider applying for work at used car lots, car dealers, rental car businesses, car detailing shops and limousine services. It's not necessary to apply for auto mechanics jobs at these places. Any positions would be helpful to you and bring you around cars and you may pick up knowledge and experience in a different capacity but still in the automotive field. You can aim for positions such as sales or office work or a general assistant to the staff in these businesses.
This is a great time for you to gain experience. If there are no job openings, try the local area auto parts retail chain stores to do volunteer work. Even if you're not repairing cars yet, you will become familiar with car parts, customer service (because that's a huge part of being an auto mechanic) and would be able to hear the customers' needs and you can always ask questions of staff and your manager. Try Auto Zone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, Carquest Auto Parts, Midway Auto Supply and the others. You can also consider looking for a job at AAA (road service). This will give you stellar customer service skills and may be good for meeting professional connections. Find out if you are in the age range to obtain employment and if not, ask for a volunteer or training experience from any of the companies I've mentioned.
Becoming part of the automotive community would help you also. People will get to know you and may have opportunities for you. Part of most journeys for a career begin with networking and being inside the field activities and events. I have left a link to a list of Car Show Events in Dallas that you can consider attending. It would benefit you to meet some new people, some who may be auto mechanics. You are fortunate to live in Dallas as there are many events like this. I have left two links below for your local automotive events.
Learning about this career will take time. You don't have to expect too much of yourself at first, take it a step at a time and learn all that you can. You can begin now by watching many videos on You Tube about how to become an auto mechanic. I have left the link for these videos for you below. By watching them, it will put things in perspective for you and you will undoubtedly gain insight for your future career.
So don't worry about not having experience yet - you are on your way to start the process. There's no need to rush it and there's lots of room to have fun learning about the most needed and exciting field of work. Before you know it, all of your friends and family will be asking you to explain their cars to them and you'll be teaching others ! Don't give up !
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best moving forward with learning about auto mechanics !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Peter’s Answer
I would offer to intern your time there with a 2 month limit - while you work part-time somewhere else so you're not economically falling into the red. This was you can see how the day-to-day operates, what skills they use the most, and many other things about the business. Then, once you are finished you can add it to a resume as experience. There is also the chance they may take you on full time. When you limit your commitment, it gives you an edge up, so that if you do not lie what you are doing, at least you know the commitment is tolerable.