If you are fascinated by cars and want a career that can keep you busy, consider becoming a mechanic. Mechanics are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of vehicles. They must be knowledgeable about how car engines work, how to fix various issues, and how to use their trade tools safely. If you are up for the challenge, here is what you need to know about becoming a mechanic.

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Becoming a mechanic is an excellent career for anyone who enjoys being hands-on. The role involves identifying issues and fixing and maintaining vehicles. When maintaining and repairing vehicles, mechanics may work on electrical systems, suspension, brakes, and tires. They may also be responsible for performing safety inspections on a regular basis. As a result, Mechanics play an essential role in keeping our vehicles safe and reliable.

What Does Being a Mechanic Include

There are a few desirable skills that anyone wanting to practice mechanics should have. These include: 

Strong understanding of automotive parts and functions

Required Skills

The average salary of a mechanic ranges from $33,000 to $58,000 a year. However, as with most jobs, the more experience you have, the higher your salary. If you are trained to be able to work on numerous types of vehicles, you will likely earn more than someone who has one specialty.

Mechanic's Salary

To give yourself the best chance of success in the mechanical world, it is suggested that you gain formal education and training in the subject. Below are the steps you should follow. 

The first step in becoming a fully qualified mechanic is gaining your high school diploma. Suppose you aren't able to get your high school diploma. In that case, you can complete a GED (General Educational Development testing) as your first step. These tests cost a maximum of $140 and take an average of 3 months to study and complete.

Training can be carried out in several ways. These include:

Community College: Here, you can obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree.

Car Mechanic School: These are schools tailored explicitly to training mechanics where you can earn either a certificate or a diploma. These schools provide both practical and theoretical education.

Military: This option will not provide you with any certification. However, it will provide a wealth of hands-on training. It will also provide you with a desirably high level of experience. Military training does provide the option to earn a degree by taking additional classes and programs.

Trade / Vocational Schools: You can get a diploma or a certificate here. These schools may also offer courses that you can enroll in while still in high school to start training as early as possible.

Take the ASE entry-level certification. This certification includes eight tests, each focusing on a different mechanical-based subject. Tests include engine repair, suspension and steering, engine performance manual drive, automatic transition, heating and air-conditioning, brakes, and electronic systems. You can gain this certification during or after the education step mentioned above as there is no experience required.

Apprenticeships and internships can be valuable learning tools in the process of becoming a mechanic. Apprenticeships are optional; however, an internship may be a requirement of specific degree programs.

You will now be able to start applying for mechanic jobs. You will most likely begin on more straightforward jobs to gain experience before you can carry out all the roles and responsibilities of the title.

After education and having two years of hands-on experience working as a mechanic, you can take the ASE test to continue your professional growth and become a technician. 

The way cars work and the features that different vehicles have are constantly changing. It is essential to keep updated with these changes by utilizing training courses and conferences. Staying updated will enable you to provide the best possible service to your customers. 

How To Become a Mechanic

In conclusion, becoming a mechanic requires both training and experience. However, mechanics are needed in every town and city so there is no shortage of job opportunities. Although it may seem like much hard work is involved in becoming qualified, you will be rewarded with a very hands-on and fulfilling job if you stick it out. With the right mindset and approach, anyone can become a successful mechanic. The most important thing is to have a passion for the trade and a willingness to learn. By following the steps above, you'll be on your way to becoming a qualified mechanic in no time.

Conclusion

If you are willing to work hard to complete your training, becoming a mechanic can be a rewarding career that offers a reasonable salary and a hands-on working environment. Also, the immense number of cars used in our modern society means that mechanics are highly sought after. However, some aspects of the job could be considered negatives, so it is vital to research the role and consider these when deciding if this is the right path for you.

Can I self teach myself to be a mechanic? 

The minimum educational requirement to become a mechanic is a high school diploma or GED. After receiving this qualification, you could continue on to teach yourself to be a mechanic. However, suppose you hope to work as a mechanic for a private company. In that case, you may be more desirable if you have further qualifications. Therefore, You may want to consider an apprenticeship to learn on-the-job training with a professionally trained mechanic. 

How can I become a mechanic without school?

You will need to complete your high school diploma or GED as standard. However, If you don't want to continue with further education after this, there are still ways to learn how to become a mechanic. One option is working for a garage that can teach you the basics of car repair and maintenance. Doing this gives you hands-on experience that will serve as your foundation for becoming a qualified mechanic.

How to Become a Mechanic

What Does Being a Mechanic Include

Required Skills

Mechanic's Salary

How To Become a Mechanic

Conclusion

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