Why automotive?

That's the one question I get more than anything. "You're a girl - why do you want to get greasy under a hood all day?" (Right before I hear, "Hey, speaking of cars, mine is doing... ") I love that my book completely summarized my interest in auto mechanics in one paragraph at the beginning of chapter two.

MAST G-W online

The Automotive Technician

An automotive technician makes a living diagnosing, servicing, and repairing cars, vans, and light trucks. The technician must be highly skilled and well trained. He or she must be a “jack of all trades,” being able to perform a wide variety of tasks. For example, an experienced master automobile technician is usually capable of performing operations common to the following occupations:

• Machinist (precision measurements, brake part machining).
• Plumber (working with fuel lines and power steering lines).
• Welder (gas and arc welding on exhaust systems, parts repair).
• Electrician (charging, starting, lighting system service).
• Electronic technician (servicing a vehicle’s electronic parts).
• Air conditioning technician (repairing and recharging auto air conditioning).
• TV-radio technician (installing and repairing vehicle sound systems, cellular phones, and radios).
• Computer technician (servicing a vehicle’s on-board computers).
• Bookkeeper (business-type tasks, such as filling out repair orders, calculating hours on a job, ordering parts, totaling work order costs, etc.)

As this list demonstrates, an automobile technician’s job can be very challenging. The technician is called on to perform a variety of repair tasks, which prevents boredom on the job. If you like to use your mind and your hands, automotive service can be a rewarding and interesting profession.


Oh, and PS - remember that test I nearly 'failed'? I still made the highest grade in the class in electronics. I know I didn't do well on the engine repair test, though. Stupid, stupid mistakes on a foggy-brained Monday morning. Oh well. Guess it will look like I really learned something at the end of the semester.