Have you ever thought about becoming a mechanic, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Here are five easy steps you can take to make sure that an exciting career as an automotive mechanic (also known as an Automotive Technician) is right for you.
STEP 1 – Decide what your lifestyle needs will be
Firstly, think about the kind of lifestyle you’re looking for. How much money do you need to pay for the kind of expenses you can expect to have? The word “expect” here is very important: since you’re looking at a career move, you can’t base your decision on your current financial commitments. Instead, look at your future expected needs. Fortunately, most auto mechanics make between $45,000 and $70,000 a year in Toronto, which is above the Canadian average.
STEP 2 – Talk to other mechanics
If you have a friend (or a friend of a friend) who’s a mechanic, ask them if you can spend a bit of time with them to learn more about the job. Ask them what a typical day is like for an automotive technician. Ask them about the challenges of the automotive industry. Ask them about the good, the bad, and the ugly – and use that to help you make your decision.
STEP 3 – Find out about jobs in your area
Think about where you want to work. If you don’t want to commute, are there a lot of garages in near your home that could be hiring auto mechanics? Pretend you already have an automotive technology diploma, and you’re looking for a job. Take a look at the job sites and see if there are any openings in your target area for mechanic jobs. Fortunately, if you live in Toronto, your chances of finding a job are probably better than most areas simply because the greater Toronto area has a very dense population and a large number of garages.
STEP 4 – Spend some time in a garage
The best way to find out if being a mechanic is right for you is to spend a bit of time in a garage. Walk in to your local garage and talk to the manager to find out if they would be OK with you shadowing a mechanic for a day and helping out if you can (free of charge, of course) in exchange for the opportunity to see what it’s like being an automotive technician. You wouldn’t believe what you’ll learn.
STEP 5 – Apply to a diploma program
If you’ve done steps 1 to 4 and you think that a career as a mechanic is right for you, then apply to an Automotive Service Technician Diploma and start taking some courses to learn the details of the position. As you’re trained, you’ll quickly find out if you have the aptitude to be a mechanic.
By following these simple steps, you’ll quickly find out if a career as an auto mechanic is the right one for you.
