Get your mechanic career on the right track with Orange Tech! (Sorry, we had to.)
Cars are an integral part of our society; Forbes reports that there were over 278 million cars registered to drivers in 2022. However, understanding them is much less common. Most drivers have a basic understanding of how their cars work, but they aren’t able to perform more advanced tasks on them. Thus, the need for mechanics is evident.
Maybe you’ve always been drawn to cars; maybe you played with toy cars as a child and grew up with that same love. Maybe your parents made you change your own oil and tires and you’ve got a knack for it. Or maybe you’re just looking for a stable career that lets you get your hands dirty. Whatever your case may be, a career as a mechanic may be just the right fit.
How do you know if a career as a mechanic is right for you? Read on to learn what it takes to become a mechanic and how Orange Tech can get you there.
About Orange Tech’s Automotive Program
There are a few auto tech tracks at Orange Tech that prospective students can choose from.
The Master Automotive Service Technology I track will prepare students for the auto industry in a hands-on environment. This program will take 1050 hours, or just under a year full-time, to complete. The Master Automotive Service Technology II track is a bit shorter, at 750 hours.
At the end of both programs, students will take eight exams on different parts of the car, including both manual and automatic transmissions.
While these programs prepare students for working on any make of car, the Manufacturer Specific Automotive Service Technology program focuses strictly on Toyota and Lexus experience. This program takes 2400 hours, or about two years of full-time coursework, to complete.
There are a few other programs offered at Orange Tech as well, like technicians specifically for collisions or cars with diesel systems, and commercial and Class B driving.
Which program should you choose? If you’re interested in Toyota vehicles and willing to put in extra work to be brand-specific, the Manufacturer Specific Automotive Service Technology is a good fit. If you’d like to broaden your career potential and work on any car make, the Master Automotive Service Technology I and II is right up your alley.
Skills an automotive tech should have–or learn
In addition to hard skills like car knowledge, potential mechanics should have most of these soft skills as well:
- Problem solving and troubleshooting: While a mechanic can’t know the answer to every problem, they’ve got to be willing to seek the answers out. Working on a car is often trial-and-error, and a great mechanic should be willing to put in the time and work to find the solution for their clients.
- Communication: Just as important as finding the problem is explaining it to the client. There are many clients who don’t understand automotive jargon like you do, and worse, many women report feeling talked down to by mechanics and at the dealership. Being able to speak to all clients in a clear, respectful and helpful way is an asset in this industry.
- Time management: Depending on where you work, you may have many clients in a day, all of whom are eagerly waiting for their vehicles back. It’s crucial to be aware of how long tasks should take and work both as quickly and efficiently as possible to get the car back to the client.
- Detail-oriented: The internal combustion engine of a car has over 40 parts that work in tandem to allow you to drive your vehicle. It’s your job as a mechanic to understand each of those parts and how they work together to make the engine work.
- Dexterity: This one goes without saying–those many parts require a nimble hand to locate, let alone fix.
- Work ethic: Just as with many jobs, your level of effort determines your career growth and the caliber of jobs you’ll get. There will always be cars that need fixed, so the work will always be there if you’re willing and able to do it.
Careers in automotive technology
Once you’ve completed your program at Orange Tech, you can take your automotive technician career anywhere you like.
Advance your career by getting certifications through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), either focusing on a specific vehicle type or broadening your reach to get certified in all areas.
Want to be your own boss? You can also work your way up to management in your shop, becoming a shop foreman or even owner.
Kickstart Your Career at Orange Tech
Don’t be afraid to dream big: with this certification, you can also pursue a career in auto racing of all types, or in being an aircraft pilot or aviation mechanic. The hard skills you learn in this program will also apply to roles like plumbers, electricians or home inspectors.
If this feels right to you, request more information and start your mechanic career today.