AUTO MECHANIC SCHOOLS

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov, 2012) describes automotive service technicians and mechanics as professionals who repair and maintain both the mechanical components and electronic systems of passenger vehicles.

As a mechanic, your day-to-day responsibilities may include everything from performing basic oil changes and tire rotations to diagnosing more advanced problems with computerized tools. You may also have to be able to effectively communicate a car's problems to clients -- translating cryptic jargon into words they can easily understand. You may have additional duties depending on the area of auto repair you may choose to pursue.

While there are many different ways to become an auto mechanic, here is a typical career pathway.

Completing the first two steps does not guarantee employment as an auto mechanic. Similarly, completing the last two does not guarantee a successful career. In both cases, additional training, experience or certification may be required.

While a high school diploma is usually the absolute minimum educational requirement for entry-level work, completing a vocational or associate degree training program is the most common way to prepare for a potential career in the field according to the BLS. Depending on the program and school, these auto mechanic programs may usually be six months to a year in length, and may focus heavily on hands-on skills training and traditional classroom instruction. Associate degree programs may feature academic courses in areas like English and customer service as well (bls.gov, 2012).

On-the-job-training may also be prevalent in the field. If you become an entry-level mechanic, you are likely to learn many new skills from more experienced technicians. It may sometimes take multiple years before you may become qualified to perform a large set of repairs (bls.gov, 2012).

There are several areas of specialization in the auto mechanic industry that may be gained through additional education, certification and licensure. Industry-standard certifications may be earned from ASE.

Following automobile and light truck certification tests may be offered by many national institutes for automotive service, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), for example:

There may also be specialty career options if you want to repair more than just cars and trucks, work on a specific engine type, or become an expert on a particular brand of vehicle. Training for these specializations may be often tied into an auto mechanic school's programs.

Career Specializations may include:

Brand-specific Training/Certification options include:

If you're considering becoming a mechanic, there are many useful skills that may be helpful to have, including:

For additional information, please see our extended selection of articles.