About Mechanics

Mechanics repair and maintain machinery with the help of tools, computers, replacement parts and manufacturer- specified substances, such as oil and grease. General mechanics are proficient to work on a wide array of machinery, while highly trained specialized mechanics only work on machines falling within their area of expertise. An example of such specialization is the aerospace mechanic who only works on space shuttles and related machinery. Read on to learn about mechanics and investigate if this is an appealing career option for you.

Fields of Employment

Electrician and Mechanic publication; Swtpc6800/Wikimedia Commons

Mechanics work in a wide array of fields, such as the automotive industry, aviation, heavy machinery, heating and air conditioning and appliance repair. Mechanics sometimes specialize in a particular field; for example, auto mechanics can choose to specialize in working on foreign automobiles only and operate a garage that exclusively works on such cars. Labor unions, such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) (see Resources below), are great sources when researching the various fields of employment open to mechanics, and also to help one determine industry trends for the sake of identifying the most profitable areas in which to specialize.

Challenges

Auto mechanic works on a rally car; photo by Interiot/Wikimedia Commons

Mechanics work in a highly innovative field, and the training received yesterday may be outdated tomorrow. Airline and automotive mechanics in particular must continuously adapt to new technologies, the increasing computerization of their work environment and constantly updated safety and operating regulations imposed by governmental entities. Continuing education and the ability to purchase new equipment and tools are some of the biggest challenges today's mechanics face.

Job Requirements

Austin Davis shows Fuel Pump; photo by Mechanic/Wikimedia Commons

Prior to deciding on a career as a mechanic, prospective candidates must evaluate their problem-solving skills. Although many of the diagnostic processes are now computerized, there is ample room for error and times when a computer provides three or four different potential problems, of which only one is accurate. Moreover, in addition to basic mechanical talent, future mechanics need to be well versed in electronics, computer science and math.

Day to Day Tasks

Induction motor mechanic graph; image by Sharayanan/Wikimedia Commons

No matter which field the mechanic chooses, the initial contact with a piece of machinery is when a consumer brings it to the professional's attention. In the case of a car mechanic, the customer will bring a car to the garage. Next, the mechanic identifies the suspected source of the problem. Consumers will point out the symptoms and sometimes also guess the problem, but it is up to the mechanic to conclusively diagnose the problem. Electronics play a vital role in diagnosing machinery problems and malfunctions. In the case of a car, mechanics sometimes find it necessary to test drive the vehicle to see if they can recreate the problem. After diagnosing the problem, a mechanic eliminates the components that contribute to it; he does this to determine which parts of the machine need to be replaced, repaired or undergo maintenance. Once the problem is solved, mechanics will again test the machine to ensure that the problem does not recur.

Training

Wolf Racing crew at Monaco GP 1979; photo by Ericd/Wikimedia Commons

The majority of mechanics train at career colleges offering specialized vocational training. This may take the form of automotive and diesel colleges, airplane mechanics classes or certificate programs in heating and air conditioning service. Finding a good school may require a bit of legwork, but with the help of the Mechanics Schools site (see Resources below) you should be able to narrow your choices. After graduation, would-be mechanics enter a garage or mechanic's shop as a trainee. On the job training accounts for a large portion of a professional mechanic's education; much like physicians, some skills cannot be learned from a book or in a controlled environment but can only be garnered in a real life situation. Mechanics looking for a career path further their training by allying themselves with professional institutions that provide peer oversight in their chosen fields. For example, auto mechanics may seek Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification (see Resources below) to get an edge in this competitive field.

Resources

• Visit the IAMAW at GoIAM.org for more information about industry mechanics.
• Visit the ASE.com site to learn about auto mechanic certification.
• Check the MechanicSchools.com site to learn about a variety of training options.