Everyone is familiar with the clich矇: the mechanic as a blue-collar worker who lacks sophistication but is a wizard under the hood of your car. But the automotive serviceman didn't inherit his expertise through any special, secret guild. Anybody can become a mechanic with the proper training and experience. The first thing an aspiring mechanic must know is how to choose the best auto body school. So what are the key factors in making this decision?
Any career training should provide the student with a combination of class room theory and hands-on training. This is especially true for an auto mechanic training school. A great program educates the aspiring mechanic on the fundamental construction and operation of engines and cars. Even if you plan on only repairing cars and not actually building or designing them, a well-rounded mechanic should be equipped with a broad, general knowledge of the basic engineering of a car's parts, how they fit together, and how they operate as a whole. This begins just as much in the classroom as it does in the garage.
Along with the theoretical side, great mechanic colleges immerse the student in as much actual shop experience as possible. Becoming a mechanic means using your hands just as much as your brain, so the more hands-on training the better. A great auto technician program will have you getting your hands dirty under the hood at every opportunity. Real cars and real engine troubles all add up to a real well-rounded education in auto mechanics.
Not everyone has the time to commit to full time training to become a mechanic. Find out if the school you are considering accommodates both full-time day classes as well as part-time evening courses. Another important thing to research when choosing a school is class sizes. Because auto technician training is such a practical, hands-on experience, smaller class sizes mean more individual experience working on cars. Smaller classes also allow each student more time with experienced, professional instructors.
There's no longer any reason to be intimidated by the specialized knowledge and experience that auto mechanics possess. A career as an auto mechanic is attainable for anyone ready to study, practice and commit to the career. A great auto body school doesn't just show the future mechanic how to make repairs, but provides the student with a full education of the automotive servicing industry.
So throw away your preconceptions that what's under the hood of your car is a mysterious place, full of inscrutable parts and complicated functions. becoming a mechanic is truly a skilled and honorable trade that requires knowledge, know-how and of course, a special love for helping people get back on the road. But before shifting into high-gear, a great education will give you the keys to put you in the driver's seat.
