How to Become an Auto Mechanic

A good, honest auto mechanic is worth his or her weight in gold, if you can find one! Some enterprising individuals who enjoy solving problems and working with their hands have come up with a radical solution - become an auto mechanic. You can make a substantial income and will learn how to fix that broken BMW tie rod on the performance car you own and love. If you have the skills and the work ethic, you too can become an auto mechanic and enjoy a privileged life style.

Well, how do you go about becoming an auto mechanic? It helps to start early - high school vocational programs are a brilliant way to kick off your training. You should enroll in programs that teach both automotive repair and electrical trades, as both skill sets are needed to fully service an automobile. Make sure you take courses in math and the physical sciences to get a good foundation for subsequent education.

You can probably find training programs and/or apprenticeships in your immediate area, since there is always a shortage of good auto mechanics everywhere in the country. You can usually locate an employer who is willing to take you on as an entry level worker. Your first jobs might be somewhat tangential - parts-runner or service writer - but they are ways to break the ice as you enroll in evening auto repair courses. Of course, you can make the big commitment and enroll in a full-time trade school. Your circumstances will dictate the choices open to you.

Many technical schools and community colleges offer programs in automotive repair. Make sure any program in which you enroll prepares you for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. You'll need to accumulate a specified number of ASE certifications to get your initial job as a mechanic, and even more certifications to step up to automobile technician. Seek out shops that subsidize the cost of ASE courses and help pay for the basic tools you'll need for the job.

As you become more skilled, you can afford to choose the opportunity that best matches the type of work you want to do and the amount of money you wish to make. Eventually, you can advance to specialties such as computerized diagnostic systems. Then, when it comes time to replace the BMW ball joint on your beloved car, you'll know the job was done right, because you did it yourself.