Picture this scenario. Your "check engine" light has just come on for the third time this month. Instead of going through the hassle of trying to get an appointment with the overbooked mechanic, securing a loaner vehicle, and paying $50 for a diagnostic alone, you take care of the problem yourself. No mechanic, no stress, and, best of all, less expense!
Intrigued? A degree or diploma in auto mechanics is not just for the gear heads among us. Anyone can benefit from learning the basics of auto repair. Find out how understanding what a carburetor does could improve your life.
Refuel Your Wallet
OK, this one is a no-brainer, but have you ever really thought about exactly how much you're shelling out to have your car fixed? Car repairs are expensive when you have to pay someone else to do them. Even the most basic oil change can set you back close to $40. Many mechanics charge up to $90 an hour--just for labor! Throw in a few parts (often marked up by 30 or 40%) and it's easy to see how fixing your car can end up setting you back a week's pay.
Given the cost of having your car worked on, investing in a diploma or degree program that will teach you the skills to do this work yourself, makes sense. Think of the money you'll save once you're changing your own oil and replacing your vehicle's timing belt. The cost of an online or campus-based auto repair course is a fraction of what you'd spend on a new car, and the knowledge you'll acquire will stay with you for life.
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Lend a Helping Hand
Don't be surprised if upon completing your degree in auto repair you suddenly find yourself diagnosing your best friend's aunt's muffler trouble. Most people have a hard time putting their trust in auto mechanics, so your family and friends will be thrilled to get advice from someone they know.
In addition to helping friends and relatives, your new skills as a mechanic could pave the way for a number of volunteer opportunities in the community. You'd be amazed by the many ways you can use automotive knowledge to help others. Can you imagine how good it would feel to fix a car for a family who can't afford to pay a mechanic? Picture yourself inspecting and repairing vehicles for local nonprofit and charitable organizations (your time is deductible). Using your specialized knowledge in this way will not only make you feel good, it's a sure way to make a lot of new, and grateful, friends.
Shift Gears Professionally
Besides all the personal reasons you might have for choosing to pursue a degree in auto mechanics, obtaining this credential can also be beneficial for your career. As an automotive service technician, auto mechanic, or auto body repair technician, you can work in a dealership, privately owned shop, franchised repair shop, or even start your own business--more than 16% of auto service technicians are self-employed.
A career in cars is a good choice once you've learned the necessary skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of automotive service technicians and auto mechanics will grow between 9 and 17% through 2014. An increasing number of multi-car families and the large quantity of existing mechanics expected to retire in the near future will contribute to this growth. Earning potential as an auto mechanic might inspire you to rev your engine too, because median hourly wages for the profession were $15.50 in 2004.
A Lube Job for Your Brain
Learning the new skills involved in an auto mechanics degree program may be challenging. Courses such as electrical and cooling systems and refinishing techniques may tempt you to throw in the towel and speed to the nearest Midas. Hang in there! You'll soon reap the benefits of mastering how to weld and rotate tires, and the days of paying to have your car fixed will be a distant memory.
