Insider tips you need to know to choose and succeed in the right career
Career | Reported Satisfaction |
---|---|
Aircraft Mechanic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Auto Body Technician | |
Auto Mechanic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Diesel Mechanic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Examples of likes and dislikes:
Like
"the feeling of accomplishment I get when a job is over and the customer is satisfied. Satisfied customers will you give word-of-mouth advertising and nothing works better than that."
Dislike
"dealing with customer and employee complaints."
Individuals who enjoy working with tools and repairing machinery are ideal candidates for a career as a mechanic. A skilled worker in repairing vehicles, machines, and tools, mechanics use a variety of traditional and computer diagnostic equipment to identify and fix problems. Mechanics generally specialize in one or more areas such as automotive, aircraft, small engine, air conditioning and refrigeration, and industrial machinery, among others. Mechanic careers have become more technical over the years as computer systems have played a larger part in the operation of vehicles and machinery. As a result, mechanics must stay abreast of technology and are at an advantage in the workforce if they have completed a specialized training program at a trade, vocational, or community college.
Mechanic Career Skills
Mechanics generally have a passion for vehicles and machinery and enjoy keeping on top of changes in their technologies. They should have a strong technical aptitude and like working with their hands and tools. Mechanics should also possess good diagnostic and problem-solving skills and be able to use all necessary resources to quickly identify and fix problems. Many jobs, such as automotive mechanics, require good communication skills in order to effectively communicate with customers. In addition, mechanics should have a solid work ethic and be committed to working honestly to quickly solve and repair problems for customers.
Education
Individuals interested in entry-level mechanic careers have traditionally only needed a high school diploma or GED, with most training occurring on the job. However, due to the increasingly technological nature of the career, candidates ideally will have some formal technician training in their specialty. Many mechanic programs combining classroom work with hands-on experience are offered through trade, vocational, and community colleges, and generally take from six months to two years to complete. In addition, certification is preferred by many employers in certain fields such as the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, a nationally recognized standard for automotive mechanics.
Career Options
There are many areas of specialization that a mechanic can pursue. The following are a few examples of mechanic career choices: