4 answers
Nicolas
Student
Maupin, OR
1
Question
Asked
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whats the best way to become a boss in a shop?
I'm a student at Job Corps and I'm here for paint and body repair.
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4 answers
Anthony Calhoun
Automotive Technician
10
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
I personally graduated a vocational school for automotive and took a 2 year associate degree for GM, the GM ASEP program. After about 15 years of being a technician I was moved into service management. Why? Because I was established as a leader in the shop. I trained a lot of technicians, and became the go to guy. At the same time that type of tech is hard to get moved into management because they are hard to replace in the shop and sometimes they will make less as a manager than they do as a tech.
I would recommend reading and studying a lot of leadership books, Jocko Willink has a lot of good ones. Jack Welch and many others out there. Keep your eyes out for opportunity establish loyalty where you are and work your way there. It will not happen within a few years and when it does those bosses usually do not last long because they lack experience in the industry and respect from their employees.
Be a leader, make it known you are looking for opportunities to higher management and give it time. Remember it doesn't matter what your title is or how much money you make. It's about what you do with your money. I would recommend studying the financial world for this will help with your goal but to also learn how to invest 20-30% of your income.
After over 23 years in the automotive industry in high volume GM stores I was a technician for 15 years and heavily sought after manager for about 6 when I decided to just go back to be an EV tech because of supply and demand it pays more, less stress and I can focus on myself and my investments. Being a boss and growing is a 24 hour 7 day a week stressful job.
I would recommend reading and studying a lot of leadership books, Jocko Willink has a lot of good ones. Jack Welch and many others out there. Keep your eyes out for opportunity establish loyalty where you are and work your way there. It will not happen within a few years and when it does those bosses usually do not last long because they lack experience in the industry and respect from their employees.
Be a leader, make it known you are looking for opportunities to higher management and give it time. Remember it doesn't matter what your title is or how much money you make. It's about what you do with your money. I would recommend studying the financial world for this will help with your goal but to also learn how to invest 20-30% of your income.
After over 23 years in the automotive industry in high volume GM stores I was a technician for 15 years and heavily sought after manager for about 6 when I decided to just go back to be an EV tech because of supply and demand it pays more, less stress and I can focus on myself and my investments. Being a boss and growing is a 24 hour 7 day a week stressful job.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nicolas !
The best way to be a boss in an automotive repair and paint shop will start with education after your Job Corps Training. It's not something that happens right away. I would recommend a two year Automotive Associate Degree at a community college and taking some business courses as a minor.
The only thing I can think of through my own familiarity with bosses of shops is that they are the owners of the shop. Most of them studied a very long time, worked for employers and saved up to buy their own shop and then hired staff to work under them. They still do some hands on work, but take care of the business end just as much if not more. Once you get enough experience, you can apply for jobs as a Manager in a shop and that will give you a foundation for working with staff, handling customers' needs, coordinating with vendors and other businesses that you would regularly interact with and it will foster a business sense that you can take to be the boss of your own shop eventually.
If you take an academic technical route for this plan, I can assure you that you would not be left with any questions about how to have your own auto repair and paint business where you would be in charge. Your professors will be very informative and you will know just what to do upon graduation. Not only that, you will meet people that can provide leads for you for work while you are in college. One of my early mechanics was a student at college and he obtained paid work (a lot from me, LOL) while going to school. He basically freelanced, worked for himself out of his home garage and driveway, actually. So you will probably get a lot of ideas about work while you are in college.
I have left some informative links for you to read so that you can gain insight about what you may want to do. I wish you all the best and hope that one day you will have the position you always wanted !
HOW TO BECOME AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP MANAGER (NOT A BOSS) https://www.zippia.com/auto-repair-shop-manager-jobs/
JOB DUTIES OF AN AUTO BODY SHOP MANAGER https://work.chron.com/auto-shop-service-managers-job-description-16046.html
HOW TO OPEN A BODY SHOP AND BE BOSS AND OWNER https://www.wikihow.com/Open-an-Auto-Body-Shop
HOW TO BECOME A FREELANCE, WORK FOR YOURSELF, AUTO REPAIR PROFESSIONAL https://selfgood.com/blog/start-freelance-business/mechanic
The best way to be a boss in an automotive repair and paint shop will start with education after your Job Corps Training. It's not something that happens right away. I would recommend a two year Automotive Associate Degree at a community college and taking some business courses as a minor.
The only thing I can think of through my own familiarity with bosses of shops is that they are the owners of the shop. Most of them studied a very long time, worked for employers and saved up to buy their own shop and then hired staff to work under them. They still do some hands on work, but take care of the business end just as much if not more. Once you get enough experience, you can apply for jobs as a Manager in a shop and that will give you a foundation for working with staff, handling customers' needs, coordinating with vendors and other businesses that you would regularly interact with and it will foster a business sense that you can take to be the boss of your own shop eventually.
If you take an academic technical route for this plan, I can assure you that you would not be left with any questions about how to have your own auto repair and paint business where you would be in charge. Your professors will be very informative and you will know just what to do upon graduation. Not only that, you will meet people that can provide leads for you for work while you are in college. One of my early mechanics was a student at college and he obtained paid work (a lot from me, LOL) while going to school. He basically freelanced, worked for himself out of his home garage and driveway, actually. So you will probably get a lot of ideas about work while you are in college.
I have left some informative links for you to read so that you can gain insight about what you may want to do. I wish you all the best and hope that one day you will have the position you always wanted !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
83
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
An old joke goes like this; a guy carrying a violin case walks along a street in New York. He asks a passer-by, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall? The passer-by looks at his violin and says, "Practice, man, practice!
First, become very good at every job you are assigned to do. The Boss may not be an expert in everything, but very good at most things. The Boss assigns work based on your skill, the tools and priority of the job. He/she evaluates your work before it is seen by the customer. Your job as Boss is to make sure everyone on your team can succeed at their assigned tasks. You must ensure they have the proper training and tools and make the job assignments. You are the quarterback.
Good luck, Nicholas!
First, become very good at every job you are assigned to do. The Boss may not be an expert in everything, but very good at most things. The Boss assigns work based on your skill, the tools and priority of the job. He/she evaluates your work before it is seen by the customer. Your job as Boss is to make sure everyone on your team can succeed at their assigned tasks. You must ensure they have the proper training and tools and make the job assignments. You are the quarterback.
Good luck, Nicholas!
Sreedhar Chanda
Mechanical Engineer
28
Answers
Kentwood, Michigan
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
Hi Nicolas,
To give you a simple answer, I would say just ask your boss in your shop. Once you get hired, tell your boss that you will work hard and learn quickly and that you want to start assisting him/her in your spare time.
Good luck!
To give you a simple answer, I would say just ask your boss in your shop. Once you get hired, tell your boss that you will work hard and learn quickly and that you want to start assisting him/her in your spare time.
Good luck!