Whether you are just starting to contemplate your future career or looking to branch out from your existing career path, there are numerous factors to consider. You’ll want a career that makes you happy, but also provides security. If you are someone who enjoys a challenging job that involves hands-on services, a career as an automotive technician could be the perfect fit.
There is a reason fixing cars is both a career and hobby for so many individuals: there is something special about working on cars. It takes attention to detail, problem-solving, and a knack for discovering the right solution for numerous issues. Before diving into this career, it is important to understand what this career entails and what possibilities may be achievable with the proper automotive technician training.
Why Choose a Career as an Automotive Technician?
Numerous benefits come with a career as an automotive technician, but one of the most significant advantages includes the projected salary and career growth. This is also a great field to advance to higher paying roles such as a service manager or automotive instructor.
Work variety is another reason why many people are drawn to a career as an automotive technician. When it comes to this career, there is typically something new happening. As an Automotive Service Technician , you may be faced with a variety of challenges each day. You’re constantly on the move, providing several different services and tasks every day. In addition to the variety of the work, you’ll also be able to keep learning and developing your skills. Modern cars continue to utilize technology in a variety of ways to make them safer, smarter, and more on point to the needs of the customer.
How to Become an Automotive Technician
Education is a vital part of becoming an automotive technician. There are ways to jumpstart this career for those who want to hit the workforce as quickly as possible. A college degree in automotive technology often takes around four years, but you can typically complete an automotive technician training program for entry-level positions in just over a year. Some training facilities require an apprenticeship, which allows the majority of technicians to find jobs while still completing their education.
A career as an automotive technician involves a lot more education and skills than it may have in the past, largely due to the changes in vehicles with the advanced use of technology. This is why a strong educational foundation is crucial to advancing in this field. There are certificate courses to take or an associate’s degree to obtain that will help grow your career. You may choose programs Master Certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, which can take up to two years and often involve a combination of classroom and hands-on courses. You can choose to continue your education, seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree to further improve your job prospects.
Career Potential
A career as an automotive technician can open numerous doors in the automotive industry. The skills you can learn during your training and earning a degree may be transferable to other jobs in the transportation industry, helping you find a path that can provide long-term job satisfaction. Some of the many jobs you can consider include:
- Service Advisor
- Parts Professional
- Collision Tech
- Auto Service Tech
- Auto Parts Machinist
With time and experience, you can also work on specialized functions or specialized vehicles, allowing you to build a reputation in a specific area and increasing the demand for your unique skills.
*AAI cannot guarantee employment or salary.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
A career as an automotive technician is a great way to keep your job new and exciting, especially as you develop your skills and further your education in the more complex areas of vehicle maintenance and repair. Some of the most common responsibilities include:
- Diagnosing and testing parts and symptoms to identify problems
- Performing maintenance tasks
- Advising customers on repairs and care suggestions
- Providing accurate estimates for repairs and replacement
- Maintaining and supporting client relationships
- Installing systems accurately and safely
- Operating a variety of equipment and tools
- Maintaining inventory and ordering the necessary parts
An important aspect of this career is understanding both its physical and mental demands. Due to the various tools and materials used, shop floors can often be loud. It can also be a dirty job with the various parts exposed to the elements, oils, and fluids. It is important to understand that this job is a blend of clerical and hands-on work.
A career as an automotive technician can open many doors. A great way to start is to find an automotive program for your education needs. You’ll want to find a school that supports both hands-on and classroom work and a program dedicated to staying up-to-date with new technologies and procedures, like the one here at Arizona Automotive Institute. This way, you can learn the skills to help you be successful when entering the job field.
