Get Your Career Rolling

If you love cars (or trucks, SUVs, and anything else that rolls on four wheels) and you enjoy helping people, there’s a career for you in automotive repair. In fact, you may even find that this new career track is more rewarding than your current job. What’s more, there’s a fit for you even if mechanics isn’t one of your strengths. If you’re ready to get your new career rolling, we’re glad to provide you with information about and examples of auto repair careers. Keep reading, and come by to see what we do at Clayton Lube & Tune in Clayton, North Carolina.

Many Career Opportunities 

Before you dismiss the notion of entering the auto repair industry, take a moment to recognize the vast number of careers. If one segment doesn’t match your strengths and interests, another likely will. Positions can be found at a repair/service shop (either a franchise or independent organization), a dealership, or a body/collision repair shop. Each of those general locations has a number of specialized roles. Some of the positions include service department manager, mechanic/automotive technicians, service writer, and collision repair technician. Each of these can also be broken down into more detailed functions. For instance, an individual working at a collision/body shop may choose to focus on painting, metalwork, and sanding, or auto interior/convertible tops as well as other specializations. If you prefer mechanics, you can perform general maintenance and repairs or work on particular components or systems such as air conditioning/heat, brakes, transmissions, or tires. If you’re not comfortable or skilled with the tangible end of automotive work, there are still plenty of opportunities. Auto parts stores, parts manufacturers and distributors, insurance companies, and educational agencies, for example, have vacancies. Thus, regardless of whether you actually perform the work on vehicles or provide the support that enables others to more efficiently do their jobs, you can serve an important function in the automotive repair field.

Education and Training

If you’re ready to press the accelerator on your career, there are a number of educational and training pathways to assist you. Depending on the position you’re pursuing, you’ll likely need some kind of preparation. Requirements may range from on-the-job training to an advanced degree in engineering. ASE certification – a combination of education, experience, and testing – is a common pathway. There are eight individual certification areas: Engine Repair, Automatic Trans/Transaxle, Manual Drivetrain and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electrical Systems, Heating & Air Conditioning, and Engine Performance. These lead to ASE Master Technician certification. There are other certifications such as diesel repair, too. Further, most community colleges offer related associate’s (2-year) degrees. At Clayton Lube & Tune, we’re excited about your new career!