Finding a Good Automotive Repair School
If you have set your sights on a career in the automotive industry, you’ll want to set yourself up for success. Just about anybody with a mechanical inclination can bust tires; but if you want your career to go beyond an entry level tire tech or”lube guy” type of position, you will need an education from a good automotive repair school.
An automotive education proves to employers that you know your trade, making them feel more comfortable about taking a chance on you. It also qualifies you for higher-level openings in the automotive industry, such as mechanic or master mechanic positions, depending on your accompanying experience. Here are some ways to ensure that the automotive repair school you choose will make a good impression on your resume.
Verify the school’s reputation. If an automotive repair school has a good reputation among employers, you can bet there is a good reason for it. Most likely, the employers have hired graduates of the school’s programs, and have been duly impressed. Even if you don’t necessarily have the money or the desire to go to one of the nation’s top automotive schools, you can easily narrow down your list of potential schools by eliminating those with questionable reputations in the industry.
Research the school’s degree programs. Almost all automotive schools have an associate’s degree to help you get started in the automotive industry. This degree can usually be completed in a relatively short amount of time, allowing you to enter the field as soon as possible. In addition, many schools also have a master’s program to help ambitious students reach more esteemed positions, such as those of mechanic or master mechanic. In all cases, do your research and make sure the program genuinely teaches all of the knowledge and skills you will need to have in your chosen career.
Ensure that the school offers ASE certification. ASE Automotive Standards of Excellence certification is extremely important to members of the automotive industry. ASE certification lets your employer know which areas you can claim expert status in, as well as reassuring your customers that their cars are in good hands. Any automotive repair school that is worth its salt will gear its programs toward ASE certification. Some schools simply help you study for the tests, while others may offer testing at their location, making it easier for you to get certified.
Make sure the school offers internship or employment opportunities. The best way to enter the automotive industry is to hold a job in the field while you are in school. Working while in school gives you valuable on-the-job experience that will help you to get your first job as a program graduate. Most automotive schools have relationships with local garages, dealerships, auto parts stores, and other businesses in the industry, enabling you to easily find internships or part-time jobs while you are attending the school.
Find out what resources the school offers its students. Most automotive schools offer a variety of student resources. One of the most important resources to look for is job placement assistance. Ensure that the school has a good program for helping students or graduates prepare for their job search, doing tasks such as creating a winning resume, teaching interviewing skills, and providing automotive job listings.
Verify the cost of the program. Most people can’t ignore the price tag on the package, a good automotive repair school also has to be affordable. Research the cost of the program, and what the cost includes: for example, some schools will quote you one price for everything, while others list only the cost of the courses itself, leaving you to buy books, tools, and other necessities separately. Also, find out if the school provides any type of financial aid; many well-established schools can help qualified students get loans to afford their schooling.
What you do to prepare for your automotive career can literally affect the rest of your life. Attending a shoddy school can be almost as bad as getting no education at all. In your search for a good automotive repair school, you will need to look at more than just the degrees a school offers: you will also need to pay close attention to the educational program that you will undergo, the additional resources the school offers, the school’s reputation, and of course the cost of the program. As long as you take your time researching and choosing an automotive repair school, you should get off to a good start in your chosen career!
About Author
Andy West is a freelance writer for VC Tech, The Automotive School. VC Tech offers world-class training in many exciting automotive repair programs. Please visit http://www.vctechnical.com .
By Reality, November 14, 2009 @ 5:48 am
If you please, could you also put me up to be considered as a sex therapist. I would be more than happy to show you my credentials, although I am not state licensed.
EDIT: I would also like a book if Peter is getting one. You can have the job, but I would be happy to still show you my credentials.
By Petey, November 14, 2009 @ 5:49 am
yes they still do it as long as you know someone thats attending that class.
By ThatPerson, November 14, 2009 @ 6:10 am
Hmm. The coupe is better for you, because insurance on it is cheaper. If your a new driver, insurnace on this may be higher than your monthly car payment! since these cars are worth alot, and they are pretty fast, they are pretty hefty to insure.
The Coupe is a fun car. Its easy to handle, fun to drive, and good on gas. It is pretty simple to handle, becasue it doesnt have the idrive system, but it does lag in luxury at some aspects. As a first car, this car meets and exceeds the safety standards by miles. If you can pay for it, go for it! but let me tell you, as your fist car, this is not a good investment.
By NAVGFan, November 14, 2009 @ 6:58 am
lol I know. Denny had me rolling on the floor with that stupid comment!
By kixmc3, November 14, 2009 @ 7:15 am
Also, find cheap auto parts here carspartsforsale. com
By xandx2004, November 14, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
you have to start at the bottom of the later the go 4 what u want no pain no gain learn and learn then when u get good thats when u geyt what u want ive been in this trade many years so start slow learn do good work they will find u fast and when ur wanted money will come with it go man study hard work hard u can do this
By Liquid-X, November 14, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
By buckhunter3003, November 15, 2009 @ 3:56 am
i was at this race and the coke 600 he got booooed both days he also got beer threw at him when he came to get the checkered flag thts why he ran back to his car
By t_b9151700, November 15, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
From the way you stated you question, and the issues you are dealing with I would agree you are above average intellectually.
I would suggest that you deal with the cause of your "social anxiety", and then consider where and how you will deal with you education.
First thing first, you know the cause now you must deal with the effect.
By Mylene Beltran, November 15, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
There are legitimate 4-year degrees in Auto Repair Technology, combining actual hands-on repair, with some business courses so that you can run your own shop some day.
The degrees are called BSIT (BS—Industrial Technology), accredited by NAIT. Below is one such degree, in Pennsylvania College of Technology. There are similar programs throughout the USA
There are also 2yr AA/AS degrees in Auto Repair (or aircraft engine repair?) accredited by NAIT.
By t_b9151700, November 16, 2009 @ 12:24 am
At some point you're going to have to deal with the anxiety thing. And it's always better to do that kind of thing earlier rather than later. It only gets worse. If you're going to take a GED and then work on cars, who cares what people think of you? Do you want to be known as a good mechanic or a smart person? It seems from your question that you could use some help understanding who you really are and what you really want. Try the guidance counselor at school or the GED person you have already been talking to. And of course, parents always need to be involved with people your age.
By ronald c, November 16, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
you can not get old tools replaced under warranty just because they are old, they must be defective. if you have snap-on tools for sale you will have no problem selling them most mechanics even at dealerships have to provide their own tools and are looking for quality tools all the time. you can get an idea off of e-bay of an appropriate price but like anything else you own it is only worth what the highest bidder will pay. if you don't want to fool with selling them try a consignment shop. or look for local swap meets many car enthusiast buy tools and you can enjoy the day admiring their handy work. snap-on tools will sell themselves!