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I spent my days off as a parts runner for midas, and even once I moved up to an apprentice/trainee hanging around the shop, watching what the guys were doing, asking questions when it was appropriate, etc. I designated those days as my training days. I did that for months as much as I could to soak up everything possible. I spent a lot of time in later years reading up on iatn as well. This isn’t a job like Mcdonalds, it’s a career, and a profession. It requires more dedication and investment mentally, physically and monetarily. Way back 20 years ago, for less than $2k, you could have most of the things you needed to be a C tech, mind you that’s with craftsman tools etc. Now, at least double that amount, with a cheap tool box to get you going. One can not instill it enough on the new blood: You have to use your head on what you need to learn, and what you need to buy. Tools and knowledge are the two biggest investments you’ll make in this field. You have to invest in yourself to make money, and as you move up, to make more money. Venturing into light duty diesel diag work has paid off really well. Too bad Ford doesn’t still make them 6.0/6.4 engines lol.
I spent my days off as a parts runner for midas, and even once I moved up to an apprentice/trainee hanging around the shop, watching what the guys were doing, asking questions when it was appropriate, etc. I designated those days as my training days. I did that for months as much as I could to soak up everything possible. I spent a lot of time in later years reading up on iatn as well. This isn’t a job like Mcdonalds, it’s a career, and a profession. It requires more dedication and investment mentally, physically and monetarily. Way back 20 years ago, for less than $2k, you could have most of the things you needed to be a C tech, mind you that’s with craftsman tools etc. Now, at least double that amount, with a cheap tool box to get you going. One can not instill it enough on the new blood: You have to use your head on what you need to learn, and what you need to buy. Tools and knowledge are the two biggest investments you’ll make in this field. You have to invest in yourself to make money, and as you move up, to make more money. Venturing into light duty diesel diag work has paid off really well. Too bad Ford doesn’t still make them 6.0/6.4 engines lol.
From my own personal experience, even if you attend school and graduate, you still will have to climb the shop ladder to get to A or B tech land. I have seen guys from two different tech schools in my area, as well as UTI in AZ, and of all those guys, only two have shown potential. Both of those guys are doing entry level work with the occasional job thrown at them with time on it. The rest of the guys who went thru school, wasted much money on school and need to go to work at walmart. School does not teach you common sense, that falls on you. It also won’t really teach you work ethic, you have it, you don’t or you figure it out. In all cases, no one actually knew how to diagnose anything, or it was seriously lacking. That’s where I have had to do the most mentoring of the two guys with potential. With all the guys I had to deal with, electrical was by far the weakest area. Not sure if these areas(electrical theory and diagnostic theory) are poorly taught at all three schools, or if the students just had a hard time grasping it. I cut my teeth first doing assembly line work for a lawn equip. manufacturer, and then did time with Jiffy Lube. From there, I got into the repair industry by accident, and fate or destiny. I never did school, so that left a lot more disposable income to go to tooling. You have to look at it with a business owner’s mindset, in that you must invest in your operation(you). I never settled with knowing enough, I constantly assessed my weak areas and improved them to where they were my strongest areas. I still do to this day. Not everyone can go it the way I did however. Attitude plays a major factor in how you do. I have two young guys(kids to me, lol) that work beside me, one on each side. One of them went to a trade school in a neighboring metro area, and is coming along. His main restrictions are of some personal legal issues that hold him back. The other, he brags to having three degrees, went to school for 7 years and just started working his first job in his life 5 months ago. He lives at home, pays no rent, and has no drive. One of his degrees is in welding, with another in auto repair. He is known as the whiner in the shop, the entitlement guy. He thinks he is ready for primetime, and wants to be let loose to do engine and trans work, areas he “specialized” in. He has left lug nuts loose, missed blatantly cracked drive belts and puking water pumps on his inspections, etc when doing LOF’s. He is the first to cry about things, and first to be sitting down(he’s straight hourly). He won’t go anywhere until or if he changes his attitude and work ethic. Don’t be that guy, that’s my point to the rambling. From there, if you have a good grasp of how vehicles work, you could dive in and start at the bottom and study and watch when you can, or you can go to school, learn as well as you try, and go that route. Don’t go into debt insanely with tools. Start out with cheaper tools and upgrade as money allows.
From my own personal experience, even if you attend school and graduate, you still will have to climb the shop ladder to get to A or B tech land. I have seen guys from two different tech schools in my area, as well as UTI in AZ, and of all those guys, only two have shown potential. Both of those guys are doing entry level work with the occasional job thrown at them with time on it. The rest of the guys who went thru school, wasted much money on school and need to go to work at walmart. School does not teach you common sense, that falls on you. It also won’t really teach you work ethic, you have it, you don’t or you figure it out. In all cases, no one actually knew how to diagnose anything, or it was seriously lacking. That’s where I have had to do the most mentoring of the two guys with potential. With all the guys I had to deal with, electrical was by far the weakest area. Not sure if these areas(electrical theory and diagnostic theory) are poorly taught at all three schools, or if the students just had a hard time grasping it. I cut my teeth first doing assembly line work for a lawn equip. manufacturer, and then did time with Jiffy Lube. From there, I got into the repair industry by accident, and fate or destiny. I never did school, so that left a lot more disposable income to go to tooling. You have to look at it with a business owner’s mindset, in that you must invest in your operation(you). I never settled with knowing enough, I constantly assessed my weak areas and improved them to where they were my strongest areas. I still do to this day. Not everyone can go it the way I did however. Attitude plays a major factor in how you do. I have two young guys(kids to me, lol) that work beside me, one on each side. One of them went to a trade school in a neighboring metro area, and is coming along. His main restrictions are of some personal legal issues that hold him back. The other, he brags to having three degrees, went to school for 7 years and just started working his first job in his life 5 months ago. He lives at home, pays no rent, and has no drive. One of his degrees is in welding, with another in auto repair. He is known as the whiner in the shop, the entitlement guy. He thinks he is ready for primetime, and wants to be let loose to do engine and trans work, areas he “specialized” in. He has left lug nuts loose, missed blatantly cracked drive belts and puking water pumps on his inspections, etc when doing LOF’s. He is the first to cry about things, and first to be sitting down(he’s straight hourly). He won’t go anywhere until or if he changes his attitude and work ethic. Don’t be that guy, that’s my point to the rambling. From there, if you have a good grasp of how vehicles work, you could dive in and start at the bottom and study and watch when you can, or you can go to school, learn as well as you try, and go that route. Don’t go into debt insanely with tools. Start out with cheaper tools and upgrade as money allows.
Hi there, new member here. Actually found this site by accident while googling some ASE info. I’ve been in the auto repair industry since 1994, an ASE technician since 1996, an automotive master technician since 1998, and finally took the plunge and earned my L1 in 2012. Also possess a class A cdl since 2005 as well. Currently pondering taking the A9 and moving up to L2, and taking the L3 tests. Worked for a number of years for Midas, even working in management for them as well. Finally in 2012, I parted ways with the big box chain store concept and went to work for an independent. My earnings shot thru the roof, and life has been much nicer. Wished I had done the move long ago. I strive to keep learning, and it has helped. Also possess a general class amateur radio license as well.
Hi there, new member here. Actually found this site by accident while googling some ASE info. I’ve been in the auto repair industry since 1994, an ASE technician since 1996, an automotive master technician since 1998, and finally took the plunge and earned my L1 in 2012. Also possess a class A cdl since 2005 as well. Currently pondering taking the A9 and moving up to L2, and taking the L3 tests. Worked for a number of years for Midas, even working in management for them as well. Finally in 2012, I parted ways with the big box chain store concept and went to work for an independent. My earnings shot thru the roof, and life has been much nicer. Wished I had done the move long ago. I strive to keep learning, and it has helped. Also possess a general class amateur radio license as well.