How I Would Start As a Mechanic Today ~ Podcast Episode 27 

MY STORY : I'm 21, started working at a little Shop just to clean. Cleaned, mopped, all that. After a month there I got called by a manager that actually had quit, and was at a new shop. So I started up there as a lube tech. Ive been working there for 5 months now and now know how to do struts, brakes, alignments, anything with tires, learned all of that, and continuing to learn. I like my route, learn as you go.

What's lacking in this industry is quality shops to inspire and motivate employees.

I went to UTI as well 2 years ago, graduated with just the auto classes and started at Nissan. Currently a B tech. honestly from what i see is you have to have a mind set to want to push forward to be a tech, ive seen alot of kids go through the school and they're just there to get away, others like me want to do this for a career and they excel quickly. to me school is a great way to get in the door and learn a good chunk of how to work on cars, but you learn so much from being on the job.

working as an independent on all makes and models truly test your skill and wit.. I'm grateful that I work for a shop that truly cares for customers and their vehicles .. sometimes you get beat up on time but to see the smile, appreciation, or hand shake makes that struggle go away.. I'm grateful that I have the ability to test... test again... and learn how all makes systems function... it's great to interact with a customer first hand

Im 18 years old and I studied automotive mechanic for a year. It's hard to find workshops that can teach you. But I bought myself a car and I'm studying it and learning

AWESOME video!!! I started as a lube tech and just got the on the job training from a senior master tech. Three years later I've moved 1,000 miles away from home to continue my education under the same guy. I'm now the number 2 line tech in the shop. I know more than most of the guys fresh outta UTI. I personally wouldn't change a thing. I also feel like I got lucky. The guy that trained me took his time, trained me well, has infinite patience with me (to this day) and has been super supportive. If you get the right teacher they will train you the true tricks of the trade. Time is big too. Being a great tech takes drive, will, motivation and most importantly, time.

I’ve been watching RU-vid for a couple years, and have now done many 3 head gasket replacements, 3 clutch replacements, many oil changes, brake jobs and am refreshing my Audi A4 suspension currently. Have learned a lot and am still learning

I'm in my second year working at the dealer, i started exactly the way you said you would, crazy to think when i started i was worried cause i didn't go to tech school and now i see some of those guys come and go and i really am glad how i was able to start in the industry

I work in a smaller shop as a general service tech after school, mounting tires, oil changes, ect. I'm 16 and have been doing it for about 4 months now and I look forward to going to work almost everyday. Most of what I knew when I started were things I learnt working with/watching my dad who is a mechanic and from videos online. now working in a shop I have learned ton from the other techs. After I finish high school I'm planning on going to a tech school to work full time as a mechanic.

My first job was at Jiffy Lube doing quick maintenance. I think that was valuable experience, seeing as I worked every position they had. After a year of doing that, I moved into a technician position at Sears where maintenance and repair work was much more frequent. It's been 6 years since I wrenched and currently considering a position to be in the back shop once again. I truly think if you're trying to get into the industry, you just have to be prepared for the breadth of knowledge that engulfs automotive in general.

I mainly grew up working on cars with my grandpa and I had started building my tools about 4-5 years ago and has been looking for a job that would hire me on that lasted about 3 and 1/2 years but I go in for the pee test Monday and couldn’t be more excited to finally get my foot in the door but no college or anything like that just a lot of backyard experience and RU-vid but I’m really glad that the lord gave me this opportunity I thank him for that and many of the other blessings he gives. But I don’t really know what would be next after I onboard and I’m a little nervous but that’s okay.

Thanks for taking the time to post this up. I'm in this stage now. Currently in tech school enrolled in the Audi/VW program. They assist in finding a job at a dealership. You have to be employed by a dealership in order to qualify for the program. The program itself is about 6k and about 18 months long but like you said it's full throttle 2 days a week school and 4 days a week at work doing 10 hour shifts. I started to watch your videos just so I can gain some extra knowledge. I am a big VW enthusiast (own three of them currently) it also helps that I know the brand from my days working for ECS tuning. But anyway just wanted to let you know I am a fan if you are ever in South Florida which you very well maybe since the VW school is 15 minutes away from me let me know and I'll buy you a beer. Thanks again for the videos.

I'm not a mechanic yet but I want to be when I'm older but what I've done so far is I got a job at an auto shop in my town cleaning and running errands and just watching and learning

I started at a small family owned shop that does tires/oil but also has 3 full time techs so it's a good mix of quick lubes and actual repair. When I'm not busy doing tires I get to shadow a tech and learn some stuff. It's a good deal

I good start is at community college. In Georgia with grants you can go for free and most have automotive shops.

Got a different perspective for you guys... Went to the Army at 20 years old (2007). Qualified to be a helicopter pilot but wanted to work on cars. Choose wheeled vehicle mechanic 63B, i wanted to at least "know" how to fix my own car. I was National Guard so i didn't do it but once a month and i worked as a purchaser and waiting tables the 6 years i spent in the Army. Soon after separation i hit a rough spot in life and decided that if I didn't go to school now and use my education benefits i would never use them. I liked UTI. I felt it did a good job filling in the gaps from the Army training and experience. I also took the Nissan Program. Overall, i only took out about 4k in loans just to cover the last part of Nissan but that was nothing compared to what other tech's are paying (whew) Anyways, now I've been out of school for almost 2 years, been at the same Nissan dealership in my home town and i started out as a lube tech. I've now worked my way up to level 2 tech and went from 10/hr to 18 flat rate with my dealership sending me for additional schools/training as soon as they can. I'm next in line to get promoted to main line. I've got a couple ASE's as well with more scheduled next month. I've really enjoyed my experience. Hard work and dedication have really been paying off. Does it suck? Hell yeah it does but this is my life, my career. This is what i want to spend the rest of my life doing so I'm going to make the best of it and continue learning every day. Looking back the only thing i would have changed is not taking so long to go to school. I'm 30 now and still have way more to go. If i would have started when i was 20, I'd be a Master Tech for sure by now. Most likely GTR, Leaf and Titan certified as well. If you're still reading, thanks. I hope this helps any of you guys thinking about a career in automotive.

there are two other ways around my area we learn to work automotive. first we have a tech school for high-schoolers that they spend half a semester at the tech school and half a semester at conventional school. i would recommend that to anyone in high school. the second is to just buy a vehicle and teach yourself. that is what i did and it really helped because i figured if did not like mechanic work i could always just sell the car and have very little invested.

I think you missed the most obvious (and free) way to get started in the industry. Trade school (it was called The career center in my area) while still in high school. I was able to take auto classes in a certified Toyota shop and get training from pros. Had access to all the best tools, and make connections all for free. While still in high school.

I am growing up as a mechanic. I already know more than the people that work with my dad do about cars and trucks. I love automotive mechanics and working on my own dirt bike.

Been working in a motorcycle dealership for a couple years now and this makes me happy that I don't need to go to school and rack up tons of debt to become a tech. Thanks for the video and your willingness to help the rookies improve their work. A service department is only as strong as their weakest link.

I live in Belgium and i'm actually going to take the same path, 1 or 2 days at school and the rest of the week at work learning as i go, i start in a few months so i try to learn as many things as i can by fixing small things on my car by watching you, ChrisFix, EricTheCarGuy and Jason, i'm really looking forward to learn a lot and start this career nicely Your videos help me a lot to understand the industry, thank you so much 💪

Down here in Australia I got my cert II (which is a pre apprenticeship qualification) for free as part of a program in my last year I highschool. This program was accompanied by a 30 day work experience program to give students an insight to the industry. By the end many students left and the other students such as myself who were passionate in continuing to be a tech after school were helped by councillors to find jobs in dealerships around our local region.

I took the auto tech major at chaffey college in rancho Cucamonga CA and it was great, learned a lot and even though i ended up in autozone (its something right?) I still can turn a good wrench. I paid practically nothing thanks to financial aid but even with out it cost are about 2500 a year, compared to uti thats dirt cheap. The uti guys I've met barely know their ass from their elbow but i think uti is what you make of it. Im not exactly a sucess story of the auto program but i definitely have the skill to maintain and modify my cars which can only lead to more knowledge.

I wouldn’t change a thing I went to a tech school for 3 years at a community college and got hired by vw right out for the program did express for 6months went to fast track now finally been on the main line for 3moths and I’m loving it are dealer is really good about making sure the new guys get good training and have a great support system around with all the vets willing to help

When I went to high school I spent half the say at a vocational school that was paid by my school district to learn automotive repair. After that I joined the army and worked on military vehicles. The training was 13 weeks then off to Germany to fix trucks, Humvees and APC (armored personnel carriers), never spent a penny on tools, became the go to guy for electrical troubleshooting in my battalion. I loved the work but wanted more from my life at the time. Joined the National Guard as a mechanic so I could still play with all the cool Army toys and worked a 9-5 for a small family business, that is when things went awry. I family business had very flexible morals both with billing customers and the way work was performed. If I knew now what I know then I would have reported them to the B.A.R. (Bureau of Automotive Repair) instead I just quit the industry. But kept working on vehicles in National Guard. Nothing like taking out a 1500 hp M1 Abrams out for a test drive to verify the repair you just made fixed the vehicle then turning it back over to the driver who has to clean it. But I like the idea of apprenticeship, working under someone. It would be great if each manufacturer got together with a top master tech and used an apprentice to shoot videos with the master tech showing how each repair is done, with all those crazy questions from the apprentice put in and answered by the master tech. So that way when you know you have a certain job to do the next day you can tell your apprentice, to go home and watch this video so he already has a general idea of how to do the repair and the master tech just needs to provide minimal supervision. Oh and then the manufacturers could release the videos to the general public along with the tool and part list required to perform the job. That way people who want to get into the industry can watch these videos and get a chance to see what a day in the life of a technician is like. Also for the hobbyist mechanic, if the job is within his skill set he would have a step by step video reference explanation. But I guess a manufacturer does not need to do this just a master tech who likes to shoot videos could do something like this if he had a good apprentice.

Personally started in GM dealer quick lube after a year I went to a mom an pops shop half to say I learned more from the small shop slower pace an was able to take the time to understand repairs rather than just get it out. After 4 years returned to a GM dealer ship 10 years later fully trained an full certifications in many areas Diesel, automatic transmission, wiring, communications, recently returned to a independent shop because of flat rate that all dealers push. Chasing communication issues an wiring (mostly what I got stuck with) will kill any chance of beating an time to make a decent payday! That said start at a small shop time to learn an get a understanding of all vehicals. After few years at possably a tec. School of some sort or dealership training .

I started in 2007, I work at Tire Kingdom, Nissan, Toyota, and now Infiniti. I went to a college for automotive service management technology degree. I did a few months at Tire Kingdom, that's when I made the decision to go to the dealership and make a career. I have work on the line and in preowned, I found the line is easier one product line.

My friend and I sat in an office at Lincoln tech at age 22. I didnt want the bill, he completed the program. We turned 30 this year and not only do i have the same or more experience, i have more tools for working on all systems. He got me an interview for the express tech and from there i learned and watched youtube and listened to old master techs(love old guys they have no time for BS they make money). Ended up at a mom and pop shop with a very methodical owner. Postal trucks were 90% of my job and i became a pro at drum brakes, gear boxes, flywheels and throttle bodies. My advice learn all you can from REPUTABLE youtubers and put it into practice. Doesnt matter who you start working for if you can do different tasks. "Toolboxes have wheels for a reason"

Looking to pivot into the tech world as a career, your video are amazingly helpful and you calm demeanor feel like your words are trustworthy idk like the videos man going to keep watching

See that was always my main motivation; I hated NOT knowing about anything! My brain was and still is a sponge ready to soak up and and all knowledge. That's why I watch your stuff even though I'm not a Mechanic anymore.

Can you write anything on a cover letter for resume? Like a story of where you've been, where you are and where you want to go? What if its desperate? Also I think what the industry lacks is finding the right players for the team. While some look for master technicians, other look for entry levels they'll help but they want a resume in which might not list the right experience or skills for the job but you have the right motivation. I recently submitted two resumes to Automotive industries who are looking for entry level hired to train. Haven't got a call and its been a week and two days now. As my mission statement I clearly wrote I wanted to be an all-around automotive apprentice/technician. Experience was working with my car on the driveway, doing all of its repairs without having to take it to a shop except for mounting and balancing wheels(BC tire road hazard warranty). I put team-oriented, fast paced, efficient, attentive to detail, I'm adaptive and have a great work ethic. Also have almost 3 years of customer service, 2 years of working in UPS, and a 2 year school degree. Is there not any determination, dedication anywhere in my resume? Whats up with that?

iam 16 years old i was studding out sens had been quarantine i am loving this industry but the problem is the lack of tools and resources to practice and lack of positive mind set in peoples is the major problem but man never give up iam trying all my best using those free resources

Your videos make me want to become a tech. I've been working retail for 6 years and if I didn't have a good sales job lined up I'd be seriously rethinking my future. Hell, it may be something I want to do a few years down the road anyway. This video in particular is super helpful.

in high school my junior and senior year I took automotive classes at a different school. I've learned a lot from those classes. even before I took those classes I knew a little more than a basic amount but it sharpened me up quite a bit. I've done countless brake/suspension/tires/oil changes in that class and in my own garage. at my highschool we even pulled engines out and back in ether timing belt or a rod punched threw the block. however the one thing that lacked in those classes were the computer side of cars and how scan tools worked. my school had a fancy snap-on cart for the scanner but I rarely had the chance to play with it. atm I'm out of high school and searching for some type of job in the automotive field. it's been a few months after highschool and still have yet to find a place that will except me even with my known experience. I may just work at harbor freight or some jiffy lube for a few months just to boost pocket change and say I have experience under my belt. I've been off and on about tech school if I should go or not. I feel like I would learn more and add on to what I know know but it wouldn't be much, just for the piece of paper saying I did the thing. I've been into cars my whole life and this is the only thing I'm good at.

What I would do different is getting a job in the industry(part time) while going to college. Something that I am glad I did is that I bought most of my basic tools with a student discount. Impact gun, sockets, wrenches, ratchets, etc.

Excellent advice I went to the same campus and finished in 2004 with a 34 thousand dollar bill. My story is similar to yours I had zero knowledge. prior to school I would like to add I feel classroom and lab time is very important I would suggest there are schools just as good as uti check out your community college I have worked with guys that have only spent around 6 grand. As for your second question real world experience uti did not prepare me for what was really in-store. I had no idea how hard it was really going to be but I can say now that the rough times and hard work have paid off very well for me.

DONT FORGET CHRISFIX!

Great video. I started from the quick lube shop and quickly moved on because I had gone as far as they wanted techs to advance. I took a demotion to lube tech in a more full service shop that promised advancement after the 90 day probation. Unfortunately they never had any work and I made more than most of the techs that cycled through. I remember watching this a few years ago when I was in still there and unsure if I wanted to stay in the industry. I'm now at a privately owned shop that specializes in certain cars and like you said it is so much easier to pick things up working mostly on one brand. I've learned more in the past 6 months than the previous 3 years. Also there are a lot less tools to buy.

I'm an ASE certified graduate from UTI and I've been doing this for 10 years myself. I love this video

There is a way to combine tech school and starting in the express lane at a dealership. In my case, I was able to go to a local community college and take Toyota's T-TEN program. I knew absolutely nothing about cars when I started. The school placed me at a dealership to work when I wasn't in class. Classes ran 3 days a week for 8 weeks, then we had 8 weeks of full-time work at the dealership. The dealer gradually increased the level of work as I went along the program. In class, you learn the general automotive theory as well as the brand-specific implementation. In the end, I ended up with a 2 year degree and Toyota/Lexus/Scion certification for under about 10 grand. Highly recommend going this route. Before this sounds like a commercial made by Toyota, there are some drawbacks to doing it this way. First, it's intense. I would call it full-immersion training. You will eat, sleep, and breathe cars for two years. Secondly, it can be overly brand-specific. You will learn things that are only relevant to that brand. If it doesn't happen on a Toyota, it doesn't happen. They do get to dictate the curriculum to a large degree, for better or for worse. The worst example was their steering and suspension class, where you would think the most important thing you can do on a car is measure ride height. Steering wheel vibration? Better measure ride height. Overall though, I'd say it's a great way to start.

Cool video! LOL...In the last year, I have mentored & trained a number of young kids, at our shop (We are a full service repair shop, NOT a "fast" Lube center)...most of these kids were straight out of some type of local trade school. They all purchased tons of tools, they were all "Gung-Ho" about being technicians, working on cars, learning the "trade", etc.... All of these kids quit after a little less than 2 months of working at our shop. Personally, I think the pressure was way too overwhelming for the both of them...One kid said "I didn't realize we had to fix customer's cars by a certain time!" WOW! REALLY??? I think they should have saved their money, bought a few basic hand tools, start working at some lube-center for a while, to see if this is really what they wanted to do. Seems to me that once these kids got a glimpse of the "real world", they all wanted to quit.

Thanks for sharing Charles. I might enroll into college in the future, who knows? For now, I'm just a home garage DIYer teying to learn as much as I can. Thank God for channels like this.

My old story: I'm a retired analytical chemist. I worked on my own VW Beetles to save money and for fun. Now I work on my Honda and Subaru. It's not hard to start with the basics, $100 worth of tools, and learn as you go. I would not have chosen to be an auto tech until nearly 20 years after being a chemist. I would have gone to technical school or community college had I not gone into teaching. I would have loved being a tech about as much as a teacher, I think. Probably more. Employees went from personnel to human resources and are viewed as cost centers. Company paid training stopped and anytime they could close a position they did, either through lay-offs or attrition. Employees with experience are no longer valued. They cost too much, even though pay is pretty stagnant, and use too much medical care. But education and training are extremely valuable and experienced people are too. It would benefit them in the long run to provide training for employees. When I was in high school, I graduated 40 years ago, there were shop classes. Wood shop, metal working and machine shop, and auto shop. The local community college offered training courses and maybe certificates for completing them for many skilled labor positions, including automotive. They also had relationships with dealers and local mechanic shops to help place their students. I'm sorry shop classes are no longer easy to find in high school and middle school. They helped a lot of people learn skills and helped them to decide what career path they might want to take. About the only place I know of to work and get training in a large number of skills is to go into the military. When you get out you have a useful skill. If you stay in for 20 years and retire between ages 38-40, you still have 25 or so years where you can put your skills to work, and receive your military pension as base pay no matter how much you make working. There was also college prep, but not everybody went to college back then, nor did they need to for a fair number of jobs. Now hardly anyone can out right afford college, or even a 2 year program at a community college. You could work your way through college 40 years ago and get out with no student debt or at least extremely little. Work-study actually paid enough to get you by, and then working holidays and summers paid the rest. When I started LSU, tuition was $50/semester. When I graduated it had gone up to $1200/semester (in state). I have no idea how much it costs now, but it's far higher than that.

Just graduated tech school a couple months ago, UTI of Long Beach! Came from zero automotive background and loved every moment of it and did great as far as learning/grades. One thing I wish they could do better is the lab portions. Labs are great and you do learn a lot, but none prepares you for real life so to say. All the trainers are clean and been taken on and off thousands of times. Great to learn the premise of what ever it is you’re learning, but out in the real world you deal with rust, stripped and seized bolts, all other wear n tear parts of cars that cause common issues. It’s for sure one thing you’re only going to experience out in the field!

Im considering going into the industry, but my parents want me to go to a 4 year college. I got to take a fuel tours of some tech schools and i really liked it

When I quit this industry, I was surprised that mechanics in other industries get their tools purchased for them by their employer. In manufacturing for example, the mechanics don't own the business, therefore don't need to invest in it. They also get paid more.

I did exactly that. I received an Automotive Repair Technician Career Diploma from Penn Foster, which is an online program. I read the textbook and took the tests. I then applied for a VW job and it was sent to a dealer in my area. I just started, about a week and a half ago, as a Lube Technician at the dealership. I am learning by just doing the job. I have already interacted with some of the Technicians that do repair and have learned a few things. I think it is a great way to learn. I already pulled a Cylinder Head from my car, before I got the job, so I have a lot of tools already. However, I will be picking up more as I find out others I need. The online Penn Foster program was CHEAP, less than $800 and is a FANTASTIC way to learn without getting into debt. I recommend it HIGHLY!

I started in a quick lube. I knew I didn't want to spend my whole life there, so I used it to learn about cars and build up my tool collection. When I went on to work in an actual shop I only had to drop like $500 for a cart and an impact driver. Everything else I already had in my garage. One thing quick lubes will teach you is dealing with the unexpected or when something breaks. And you will most likely never work in a more stressful or rushed type environment than a busy quick lube with the service writers breathing down your neck as to why car X isn't done yet.

Thank you so much for this video, really made me feel better about the decision i made: About 3 weeks i started my new job at a dealership. i was originally going to go to UTI as well (Automotive and diesel program = $41k) but i spoke to several graduates that mentioned it being a waste of time and money. that id learn more in a shop while getting paid to do. 3 days before my orientation day at UTI i got the job and they wanted me to start asap, so i made the decision of holding off on school and start working. the first 2 weeks were great, had some knowledge on regular inspections and maintenance by working on my own car before, but i have learned some new tricks while being here. and unfortunately, I've also had to deal with the horrible trainer. i ask a question and instead of answering it or demonstrating, snatches the tools from my hands and does it himself.. great, task is complete but i still don't know how to do it or what to do when i hit that same wall.. its definitely becoming a struggle here, but hopefully i can turn it around soon. great video man!!

I learned on the job as a Goodyear quick service guy. If I passed a ASE test, my company would reimburse me for the cost. If we were slow my company would not let me train or read study material. I had to learn myself out of work. All the technicians I worked with had no interest in training me. I am an engineering student so this was a temporary job, but I had the choice I would go through a training program like UTI.

I currently work at Discount Tire, but I want to move on to something that is more than just wheels and tires. Love the input. Might try to get on with a dealership express lane and go from there. I already change my own oil since the cost of a full synthetic oil change is $120 or more anymore at dealerships and other places, but I can do it myself for $40. If not for my dad and his love of classic cars I wouldn't know anything at all when it comes to cars.

Hey I'm 18 and I go to Lincoln College of Technology the previous NADC and before that i took a year of auto tech in high school and then I worked in the field for over a year at a small independent shop and I was doing everything from simple brake jobs to complicated motor work and diag, I would say that having that job gave me a major heads up from the other students a Lincoln. Ive noticed that a lot of students here are book smart but really dont know how to turn a wrench, they simply dont have experience. If I was talking to someone about getting into the field I would tell them if they wanted to work a dealership doing what you explained in the the video but if they wanted to work in an independent shop id do what i did, but me personally i want to get into High Performance so that is why i went to tech school to take a high po classes and to get more training. I knew how to work on cars and trucks but i simply werent trained as well as i believed i should be

I'm not a mechanic, just a guy who likes to work on my own car. Because it is my only car and I depend on it, I don't want the first time I attempt a job to be on it. So what I do is haul a small toolkit to the pick-n-pull and find a like car and practice the job on it, so when I do it on my own car it isn't totally foreign. So far I haven't had a repair go bad and the lack of stress at the pick n pull is great for learning.

I graduated with a welding certification and move onto small engine repairs with riding mowers it’s a family owned company and I loved it there day one cause I’ve been mowing yards since I was 4 years old following my dad around with a toy mower 😂👍

I got started by being a lot kid at a VW dealership. Got friendly with the shop and the foreman took me under his wing. Been a flat rate tech now for 2 years. Cant beat getting sent to school for free.

thanks for your videos! I've been a service writer at an independent shop that works on audi and vw and my boss is just awesome he has been showing me how to wrench and im happy to be learning from him Ive been using your channel as a great guideline and i just purchased my first tool box last week. Loving the independent shop vibe just got done doing my first brake job yesterday and i'm looking into ase certs

Hey Humble Mechanic! I am going to be going to my local junior college who has an associates auto program, It's 12 grand for tuition. While getting the degree I will be working in my buddy's shop getting hands on experience. I have already bought myself some basic tools and a box, about 1,000 worth. After I get my degree in auto applied science, I will transfer the credits to a 4 year and go for my mechanical engineering degree and hopefully be able to do what I want to do, ENGINEER CARS!

I jump into an auto mech program two months after I did my very first oil change ever on my car! thanks for the pointers covered on this video. I would like to maximize my learning in this field especially on those high tech cars like Tesla.

Hi. I love your channel. I am 45 and started at WITC in Wisconsin, last Aug. 2015, in the Ag power and equipment 2 yr program. I love every part of it. Even the generals and attending school with 40 teenagers! I knew nothing about engines, splitting a tractor,electrical, hydraulics, power trains. I learn new things daily. I agree with your opinions about tools. And i like quality usa made tools if possible. Later Chad

Personally, I did 2 years of schooling for this and the amount of online module activities we had to do was exhausting. I'd rather watch a mechanic a whole shift and him not even say a word to me than that. Most of us have the mind set that isn't geared toward staring at a computer and answering questions. The real learning is in the lab and explanation while taking notes and using repetition to set it in stone.

Small motorcycle shop at age 14, Diesel shop as assistant at 18, Bodyshop in new city at age 20 back as a mechanic at a motorcycle shop at age 22, Started college for Mech Engineering (Engineering Explained is how I found your channel haha) Joined a Drag Racing team while in school but quit to allocate more time for schooling. I wouldn't change anything really. I learned so many disciplines it makes schooling for Engineering a lot easier. Except the math, being a mechanic does not make you a math magician.

I was mainly a part changer growing up as a kid 16 to 25. Then I went to uti. I learned alot about how everything fails and they harped on electrical more than anything. Which I liked because I was horrible at electrical growing up. Now I'm working ford but I think I'm going to switch to gm. Parts people are slow and dont know what they have. Not that I would rush cars out but I shouldn't be waiting on a tire for 3 hrs. Or rotors for an hr and a half.

Wow Charles that was a lot to take in :). Ok a perspective from Canada. Entry level pay at any automotive repair facility is just under $12 an hour. Fourth year apprentice $20-25 per hour. Friend is a shop Forman at Ford and tells me it's rare to see a new guy last two years. Pre apprentice college training , somewhat the same you took- 32 week training cost is $95 entrance cost, training is government payed for , as long as you meet minimum standards. In my province there are unionized dealership techs but very few . I don't know anybody that payed up to $40K for training, there is private training for just about any trade, guess I just never met someone that payed so much. Most new hires at a dealership will be lucky to touch a car besides tire and oil changes within two years. The fourth year apprentice I mentioned visits me on occasion and does not have a grasp at all when it comes to electrical and has no idea how to use a scope. There is no consistency in the repair world or standards. Good benefits for a tech is the trade is one that's always in demand and you can make money on the side. Are today's techs paid enough for what they do and invest in training and tools , I say no. Most unskilled government jobs up here pay more than the average lic. Tech.

Stumbled on this as I was getting frustrated at my current lack luster job. This was super helpful. I was just wondering if your ever too 'old' to start. Granted, can always learn, never a 'true' master, never too old to start school... but i'm wondering physical age. With the Chicago Auto strike finally ending, is say 34 too old to start? Granted not a lot of money to invest, but i am mechanically inclined, i fix things well, always have, just intuitively. I see as people saying 'no if you show up, and willing to learn, the industry would take you' Just wondering if that's true. Thanks Broski.

The "teachers" have a big influence in the training. If you have a teacher who most of the time complains about hes job and mocks you sometimes and even in front of costumers, then it really changes the way you learn. A teacher must be a friendly motivator.

As part of both being organized and being efficient, I have been looking into automotive journaling, and I know you have talked about this before. After the day is done, taking 10-15 minutes to journal the day, posting pictures that you have taken with your phone, etc. Have you found any app or program that works well for this? From my perspective, this program needs to be : (1) Simple (2) Easy to organize (3) Searchable by keywords (4) Able to quickly and accurately place pictures from your phone on the same day's file. I've tried OneNote, but it has been cumbersome (not syncing to my phone pictures, and having WAY too many options for what I want to use it for).

Hey man new to your channel saw something shared today on my Facebook about a time lapse video of your day at work and I was intrigued. I am also a volkswagen technician from Arizona and I love the videos. I just graduated from the fast track program two weeks ago but I was a flat rate tech for about 9 months before that and I spent about 8 months before that in the service express so I've basically followed your advice to a tee unknowingly lol. I really like your insight on the industry and look forward to watching more of your videos so keep it up!

Man Ive been looking at a Mechanic Career. Thanks for your insight.

I started as a lube tech at a dealership with no past experience or knowledge about cars. I really picked up a lot and turned pretty decent hours being a lube tech (we where flat rate) and now I’m getting trained to become a line tech. It’s really a awkward position to be in because the tech that’s training me still has to make his hours on flat rate but still train me at the same time and it really puts unnecessary stress.

I’ve heard from a lot of Dealer Techs, especially those with over 6 years experience tell me School is a waste of money since they will teach you anyway. I myself am a Veteran so I’m using my GI Bill and going to a Auto Tech School. I’ve got some experience working on my own car and other VW’s. I’ve invested into tools along the way and I’m hoping to get into working at a dealership for VW or Audi and see where life takes me from there. End goal is to work at a VW/Audi performance shop.

My best friend graduated from uti orlando in 2009 and is my most knowledgable friend when it comes to cars. Have always wanted to go

I got into my dealer ship line tech position starting at the car wash. They bumped me into the shop doing tires and lube tech stuff. Soon after they got me doing CPO (certified pre-owned). CPO gave me all the time i needed to get used to the car brand and the processes required to repair them in a dealership setting. A year later they put me on the line. While i was washing cars i took some basic automotive classes at a community college. I wouldn't recommend this method of getting into the industry, it worked for me but it took a lot of hard work to get noticed by management. Also my friends father is the shop foreman so I had a little help there.

I'm going to a junior college BMW program. Very cheap textbooks cost more than the tuition.

I like your videos have been in trade 40 years poor training is the worst for new techs,lm new to vw only cause I got a vr6 jetta for free with bad cyl head not bad to work on but suck at dignosing vw vag codes, but turning a wrench has given me a living for allot of years just never stop learning!!!

is 37 to old to get into mechanics? i love working on cars, but for the greed of money i chose to get into a different path. now I want to get back into what I should have done many years ago! cheers

Check out the Automotive Oil Change Association and the National Windshield Repair Association also ASE offers the newer G1 general service and maintenance certification all of which you can receive online for less than $100 each. I-car also offers body shop classes and certifications as well as continuing education classes online/ regionally. There are some great books and hands on resources available but number one is to get out there and work on that beater or start by fixing your minor issues like replacing bulbs or wiper blades and go from there.

Grate video man. I just wanted to say I’m a current student at UTI (Norwood MA campus). It’s definitely a good school to go to. But it is very expensive (I wouldn’t be able to afford it without my GI bill) and you’ll only get out of it what you put into it. There’s a lot of people who go there and say they didn’t learn anything, but they are the ones not showing up, not listening, and sleeping through class. You’ll still pass the class but you won’t learn shit. You need to take it seriously if it’s the route you choose.

Charles, sounds like you have alot of ideas...when this field gets organized nation wide..you should be in the conglomerate!

fantastic video with tons of great advice from an experienced good person !!!!! the world needs more people like you!!!!!!

I really agree with this. For me tech school was not the right option. I was never a fan of school and always a self learner. I taught myself in school instead of the teacher which they didn't like to much. Had prefect grades and all. But I decided to leave high school my Jr year. About 1/4 through the year and passed my Maryland high school diploma test 2weeks later and aced it. I'm 21 now. And would have graduated in 2012. I had always worked with thing and always loved taking things apart and making the better or fixing them as a kid. Once I worked on my first car it's was something that was always in the back of my mind. I started off working with my father tree company and ended up getting my tree expert license at 18 and ran and managed the company building it into a million dollar company with my father from almost nothing. From the time I left school I was working on cars and trucks here and there and started doing things on the side when I wasn't busy doing tree care. I always worked in and fixed our equipment diesel trucks and family and friends cars. I left my fathers tree company a little over a year ago and kinda jumped around from tree company to tree company working as a licensed arborist. But began to start doing more and more auto repair. One of the first vehicles I learned a lot in was my 6.0l powerstroke diesel and my father 6.0l powerstroke. I also started learning on my grandfather 97 BMW 325i and grandmother benz. Over time a began to learn a lot on my own and taught myself a lot from making mistakes and just doing it and figuring it out as I went. A little less the a year ago I really started going at it with the auto repair and started doing work on the side for different customers here and there it then got to the point where I developed a reputation as an honest reliable and affordable mechanic. And I had more auto repair work that I was no longer able to continue doing tree work. I always loved working on cars but never saw myself doing it for a living. I always thought it would be to hard for me to get into the industry. But a small ad on Craigslist turned into my own buisness. I was doing most of my repair work out of an awesome shop which is also a salvage yard. I ended up becoming good friends with the owner after he saw me deep in a 6.0l diesel pulling parts. And I did a water pump on his wife's 7.3l diesel. They where impressed to see someone as young as I was at the time interested and doing automotive stuff. And since then I had full access to everything in the shop and was able to do all of my work there. I had been working out of their shop for almost 4 years so far. And recently I decided this is what I wanted to do and I loved and enjoyed doing. I then cleared out a large shop building behind the place I rent and started my own repair shop. The owner of the shop I started doing my work out of signed off on my experience forum for my Ass certification. Went and passed almostAll the test with flying colors. The small shop behind my house ended up not being enough. And I went back to doing some work it the shop I started doing my side work out of and doing some work at the shop behind the place I live. Now I've just got my own real shop with office 3 bays and hired another tech. Now at only 21 years old I'll be 22 in March. I have build a very successful auto repair buisness. I'm now ASE certified and have a great reputation. I specialize in euro import and diesels and also do Asian and American cars. I pretty much set extreamly high goals and knew and believed I would achieve them. If you believe you have the potential and your believe you can do it and take the action needed. You to can have a successful shop. Or be a successful tech. It takes a lot of hard work and effort but it's all worth it. If your thinking about getting into the repair industry and love to do it and want to do it just do it. if anyone had any questions or wants any advice or anything at all. Contact me. And I'll be more then happy to talk to you about everything. Talk a bit more about how I personally got started and what the best steps for you to get into the industry would be. With no schooling and being self taught. I was able to become an ASE certified tech and start my own successful repair buisness at 21 years old. If I can do it so can you. My names Eddie. Feel free to email me anytime eddielbarton4@gmail.com. Also the humble mechanic has some great videos and hes an awesome person. You can learn a lot from his videos. One day ill make my own videos. I want to thank him for everything he's doing. And his videos have taught me a lot.

I’m 23 and I started working in the industry around 8 ish months ago. I started at pepboys for a couple months then went to an express oil place due to it being closed, however I really did not like that place and the pacing of it. So now I’m back at a pepboys store and i currently like it. My current position is just General Service Tech. and I’m trying to learn more skills but there really isn’t a good program in Pepboys so that’s something I would like to see.

Dude excellent information. I am new to your page but its nice to see positive feedback about the motor vehicle repair trade. Far too many blogs out there are always downing the trade. Since paid apprenticeships have all but disappeared I agree with most of the posts here that a good community college program is the way to go. There are a few good affordable trade schools out there as well. Nothing against the big tech schools,(WYOTECH,UTI,and Lincoln Tech)but they are incredibly expensive and their programs are not necessarily better. I am no longer in the trade (own and run my own different business)but I loved it and made a great living doing it. I think dealerships are overrated. The advice I would give new guys/girls coming into this industry are two things,number one consider Diesel Tech. Heavy Equipment/Heavy-Duty mechanics are in huge demand all over the world, provide a wide array of job options, and wages tend to be quite higher than Auto-techs.Secondly dont sleep on Pep-boys and Firestone. These companies offer pretty decent benefits and provide a great way for rookies to gain invaluable field experience.Both companies offer paid online and vendor training. They will also pay for your ASE certs and give you a raise for every certification you obtain(something most dealerships do not do)As a tech at Firestone/Pep-Boys you will also get exposed to many different brands and brand issues which can expand your knowledge and broaden your diagnostic skills.Food for thought and keep up the good work brother.

UTI is not great for anybody ! urinary track infections suck LMFAO

18... about a month past summer after graduation just started at our new local fleet farm as a full time tech mainly doing tires and oil but have worked at a jiffy lube during high school (good friend with the shop boss) and I’m planning on doing basically what you said you would do if I like it I’m going to invest some more money in tools and go to a different place doing bigger things or find a small shop to work at and hopefully learn lots and make lots

Community College, a project car at home (nothing too wild) and read everything you can (maybe even a "Motors" manual in the bathroom for reading material). Really, reading all the current automotive magazines (Car and Driver, Hot Rod, Road and Track, perhaps the brochures from the manufacture) is a darn good idea. In my day nobody came from a trade school, new guys at most had auto shop in high school. You hired in cheap and learned from the other guys. Perhaps you get lucky and find an independent garage that hires you under these conditions.

I started working at a tire shop when I was 18 and got really good at it and did it for 2 years and I got hired at a mechanic shop about 4 months ago and now I’m already a apprentice and I didn’t know anything about a car when I was 16 I never had anyone to teach me and I didn’t go to school It took a lot of studying and hard work I also learned a lot by working on my own vehicle and just doing different mods and upgrading parts on my own vehicle

Small family owned shop with long time customers. A couple seasoned techs that know what they are doing and willing to pass it on. Be self motivated to learn. IE You tube has a lot of good info if you look. Buy tools as you need them. If you borrow a tool more than twice to do a job. Buy it for yourself. That way you don’t spend money you don’t have. Self education and doing is the route I would take.

Yes I would still picked this carrer. 20 years later like love it

An apprenticeship at a dealer i think is the best option. No tools needed. You get paid. You get send on courses and working your way op to becoming a master tech. If i can do something like that i wil grab it with both hands. Im 30 now so i think is too late haha bit if i could do it al over i will do it at a dealership of a car or truck dealership you love.

I actually currently am getting started, I work at a small independent garage, loving it

I started by going to UTI. I knew little to nothing about working on cars. While going i worked at a small shop that was a franchise. When I graduated I went to Ford since I took Ford Fact and within I think 2 months they wanted me out of the shop. They had higher expectations of me then for a guy that was green to the industry. After that I worked for Nissan. I was there till March of this year due to covid. I only did oil and tires, there really wasn't much room for growth and the boss didn't want to advance anyone. I started hyundai in August. Been there ever since. I am a lube guy there, recently I've been doing new car inspections exclusively. Once in a while I get something new. This is the first shop I've done full alignments, brakes which I'm surprised dealers machine rotors when uti said it was a dying trade, flushes I started to do but i haven't done that many and being a guy who learns through repetition it does hurt. I feel like I'm still struggling to get to where places want me to be because of that and you're right mentors do help but not everyone wants to do that. In fact the dealership im in right now is the first dealership I've had a mentor. I go to the guy and ask questions to better myself and to do right by the customer. But from my experience dealerships also expect a high turn over of cars and from what I see if I'm not the fastest guy ill always be behind I know this is a career I want to accel in. I've been fighting for it for 2 years so far. But from what I see and experience it does give me seof doubt on if ill ever make it in this industry I've poured my soul in to.

Ferrari jacket and a vw cap. hmmm

I've been in the auto industry since I was little. I love every second of it but the only problem I have is after working on every one else's crappie I don't exactly have the motivation to work on my own cars. I got into this first helping build demolition derby cars. then went to drag race cars building the motors for those now it's fixing every thing as well as building my small blocks.

In sweden we get to educate ourselfes to a car mechanic for free, during 3 years, you dont need anything (tools, clothes, experience etc.) The first year is more basic, then the second year you will do 50/50 at a shop and at school, you will not be paid for the hours you do at the shop but you get free knowledge which is pretty cool! Sorry for bad texting and grammar etc. using the Phone Keep it up dude! 😀

I was already working on cars before deciding to go to UTI when I went I also worked at a couple different shops while going to school it was tiring to say the least... looking back I wish I had just continued onto being a technician because uti was a big Bill that leaves most with only information no skill... I always wondered how my classmates who had no tactile experience fared in a field that knowledge and skill are equally important... watching your vids and now knowing you dove into this field blind gives me faith that at least a few of my peers made it!

run as fast as you can,its hard work and over the years shops and dealers are paying less and less and there getting richer and richer.

I'm 19 and doing all sorts of research to find out what the best route for my tech training will be. What does a Dealership look for in a Service Express employee? I'm A Volkswagen guys so to say that i'm motivated to learn everything there is to know would be an understatement, and I know i'm great at learning new things. What else do you think I need to set up in my corner before I can get a Service Express position? Thanks Charles!

I started in tire shops and chain shops. Midas and the like. To do it over, I would have chosen school first. My education was choppy an fill-in-the-blank, so my skill level is hit and miss. I know more than I probably should about some stuff, and not enough about some things which are entry level. None of the franchises had much incentive to develop technicians, they hire experienced. I worked one place almost 2.5 years and had a very good friend which was master tech and very wise/experienced. He and the manger and I were good friends, and they were pulling for me to cross to flat-rate. The manager quit, and the new guy fired me over something He did and hired his nephew. I have done what I would consider OTJ-self taught with guidance. I worked for a shipping company for awhile and learned tractors and heavy/medium duty diesel, and that's what I'm in school for now. I don't believe in regret, but to do it over, I would have done that from the start.

You mentioned you'd put a link to Engineering Explained but you never did.

Question 1: if i had to do it all over again i would have started out in the shop my dads friend owns an learn from him. I had a knowledge of cars before i went to a techical college. I use to work on my own an help my dad build his aircooled vw's. Ive learned about cars from young age just thought maybe a tech school could have helped. Which it did but it wasnt worth the 25k. Ive been in a nissan dealer for about 2-2 1/2 years and am a flat rate tech. Actually did a short stint at a vw dealer but the drive to pay wasnt worth it. The nissan im in is great to me. All the senior techs are helpful and very knowledgeable if as you said arnt a tool theyll help. One thing i see lacking is nissans training. Its all online test based and there classes they do have are only held every once in awhile and fill up quick. Ive been waiting about 10 months to go to a class for emissions lol but i enjoy your videos and your vr swapped cabrio. I myself have a vrt corrado. Im pretty sure i follow you on instagram but nonetheless keep up the good work