Did you know that Americans change careers an average of around seven times over their lifetimes?
Depending on your line of work and other factors, you might be below average, average, or above average. But one thing to know is that the days of spending one’s entire career at one company are just about over.
The Great Resignation, a pandemic-era phenomenon in which tens of millions of Americans voluntarily left their jobs to find greener pastures elsewhere, is one example of how employees are willing to up and leave.
Which Career Path to Choose?
Considering there are thousands of career options—CareerPlanner.com lists 13,000+ of them—the sky’s the limit. If contemplating a career change, you’ll want to find something that aligns with your interests, passions, and skill set. Again, there is a dizzying array of possibilities.
If you’re a car guy or gal who doesn’t mind getting your hands dirty, one career path to consider is the auto mechanic space. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics last year was $47,770. It adds that the expected percentage change in employment from 2023 to 2033 is 3%.
There Was a Time When People Worked on Their Cars
Once upon a time, people worked on their vehicles in their driveways or garages. But the complexity of cars means that fewer people make car maintenance and repair a DIY affair. So, many car owners rely on their neighborhood mechanics to keep their vehicles on the road.
If you love working on cars and are ready to pursue a different career path, here are 14 reasons to re-qualify as a mechanic.
High Demand for Skilled Tradespeople
Remember that fewer people are working on their vehicles. The DIY spirit isn’t as alive and well these days. You can bet that a good mechanic who wants to work will always have employment options since there’ll always be a demand for qualified professionals who can work on cars.
Diverse Opportunities
While building a diverse skill set as a mechanic is a good idea, specializing in high-demand areas can also reap dividends.
For instance, electrification is a growing trend in the automotive space. Learning how to diagnose, fix, and maintain hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles will give you a skill set in high demand.
You might want to focus on EVs, diesel engines, performance tuning, foreign cars, restorations, domestic vehicles, or another niche.
You can also work for an auto repair business, a dealership, a fleet service business, or set up your own auto repair business.
Hands-On Work
Working with your hands can make you happier, stronger, and healthier than sitting in an office chair or being tethered to a desk.
If sitting behind a desk all day isn’t cutting it for you, a job as a mechanic offers the opportunity to get hands-on in an automotive environment. You can roll up your sleeves, troubleshoot, and use your problem-solving skills to resolve issues customers have with their vehicles.
Career Growth
Getting into the automotive sector as a mechanic also affords career growth opportunities. You might start out changing oil and topping up fluids, move on to working on cars, develop into a master technician, or even branch off to become a service manager over time. You can grow your skill set and expertise through certifications that open new career opportunities.
Opportunity for Entrepreneurship
One source says that 51% of employed adults who are not self-employed acknowledge mulling over the possibility of leaving their current positions to work for themselves. And 44%—about four in 10—admit they’ve considered doing so within the last year.
While it’s a good idea to work at an auto repair shop, at least initially to get some experience under more experienced mechanics, nothing stops you from branching out on your own.
Work From Anywhere
Working as a mechanic means you can get a job just about anywhere. After all, many motorists need someone to help them maintain and repair their vehicles. Whether you want to work in a rural area, a suburb, or a city, you can find a job as a mechanic.
Develop Problem-Solving Skills
Do you want to become a leader—a great one, at that? Work on your problem-solving skills. According to Harvard Business School, problem-solving capabilities are essential for leaders in any space.
As an automotive mechanic working on various types of cars, you’ll get to develop and fine-tune your problem-solving skills day in and day out through troubleshooting, diagnosing, and fixing mechanical problems.
Flexible Work Schedules
While you won’t be able to work remotely unless you set up shop in your home garage, working as a mechanic does offer flexible work schedules. The particulars will depend on the company you work for.
Indulge Your Passion for Cars
If you’re an automotive enthusiast who wants to work with vehicles, a job as a mechanic might be a dream come true.
You can turn a hobby into a job and grow that job into a career working on cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and other types of vehicles. You might already wrench on your car in the evenings after work or on the weekends. It might be a natural progression to become a mechanic.
Build a Transferable Skill Set
Another reason to re-qualify as an auto mechanic is that you can transfer those skills to other sectors like manufacturing, aviation, or marine repair. Becoming an auto mechanic might not be your final career, after all.
Stay Up-to-Date with Technology
You’ll get the opportunity to stay current with the latest automotive technology, ranging from electric drivetrains to diagnostic tools. Whether you specialize or become a jack of all trades within the automotive repair industry, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the latest technology.
Job Satisfaction
Working in a profession that allows you to indulge your passion every day is bound to bring job satisfaction. With different vehicles to work on, there’ll always be something new to do. And that’ll prevent boredom.
Job Security
Again, people will always need professionals to work on their cars. If you’re looking for a profession where you’ll always find job opportunities, re-qualify as a mechanic.
Enjoy the Variety
When dealing with different kinds of vehicles and working on various types of repairs, you can bet there’ll be lots of variety. No two days will be the same when working as a mechanic.
Is a Career as a Mechanic in Your Future?
People change careers multiple times over their lifetimes. So, if you’re a car enthusiast and want to start a new career doing something that interests you, consider the option of re-qualifying as a mechanic.
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