How to Become a Professional Mechanic
If you love solving problems, getting hands-on with machines and learning how things work, a career in automotive mechanics may be for you. Mechanics work with automobiles and other vehicles to make repairs and improve performance, and while it may be a physically laborious job, it also requires a formal education and the ability to adapt. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, aspiring mechanics with the best opportunities are those with post-secondary educations and Automotive Service Excellence certification.
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Instructions
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Take automotive technology classes in high school if they are available. These give you a working knowledge of mechanics that may not be all you need to start a career but will prepare you for your post-secondary education.
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Attend a post-secondary school for mechanics. This may include a community college program that awards an associate degree or certificate, which typically takes about two years. Alternatively, it may include an accredited trade or technical school. Your post-secondary education teaches you not only the hands-on aspects of being a mechanic, but also physics, computers, electronics and math. Some programs may be specially oriented toward preparing you for your ASE certification -- a distinction that will help you find a job after graduating. Look for schools that are accredited by recognized accrediting agencies like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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Earn experience by working in a mechanical service station. After completing your education and gaining one year of experience, you are eligible to start taking ASE certification exams. These exams are available in eight areas of expertise: engine repair, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drive train & axles, suspension & steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, heating & air conditioning and engine performance. Though there is no prescribed order for taking them, the more of these exams you take and pass, the more valuable you become in your field.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult local franchised car dealers and major car manufacturers about earning a sponsorship for your post-secondary education. Dealers and manufacturers sometimes sponsor students in technical or trade schools in exchange for time spent working for that dealer or manufacturer.
References
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