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Career Exploration

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Also called: Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic), Automotive Technician (Auto Tech), Mechanic, Service Technician (Service Tech)

What they do:

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

On the job, you would:
  • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
  • Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
  • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • computers and electronics

Business

  • customer service

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Independence
  • Persistence

Electronic mail software

  • IBM Notes
  • Microsoft Outlook

Video creation and editing software

  • YouTube

Facilities management software

  • Alliance Automotive Shop Controller
  • Snap-On ShopKey

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $46,970

Education

Certificate after high school or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.