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You change your own oil, troubleshoot engine issues, and just love popping the hood to check out what’s going on with the heart and lungs of your car. So why aren’t you already an auto mechanic? The job of an auto mechanic is hands on, interesting, and fast paced. You manage routine maintenance, diagnose mechanical issues, and make necessary repairs. You can generalize or specialize, work in a small shop or be part of a huge chain. You might work for an independent garage, a car dealership, or for a company that uses a fleet of cars for transportation or delivery. There are plenty of places you could work servicing all kinds of vehicle makes and models.

Seven jobs you might find interesting as an auto mechanic:

1. Automotive Service Technician

As an automotive service technician, you can work for a local garage or a national chain of auto repair shops. Your goal is to repair or service vehicles that come into the garage each day. You might repair engines, replace batteries, fix electrical systems, or perform routine tune ups and oil changes. You also answer customers’ questions, offer estimates, explain what the problem was and how it was fixed, and provide recommendations for future maintenance. As a general service tech, you will see different vehicle makes and models, so you need broad-based knowledge and a willingness to always learn.

2. Dealership Service Specialist

At a car dealership, you perform similar duties as someone working at an independent garage, but your focus would be the makes and models that the dealership sells. Because you will know the cars so well, you can diagnose them more quickly. The parts you work with will come straight from the factory and will likely be in stock on the lot, so you can often make repairs faster as well. You may not interact directly with customers as often because dealerships may have a front-of-house team that sends jobs to you and manages client relations. When there are manufacturer recalls, you replace the faulty parts with new ones. You might also make repairs that fall under the warranty or other protection plans the customer has signed up for.

3. Fleet Technician

As a fleet technician, you service a fleet of commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks or taxis, to ensure that they are always in proper working order. Companies that need your services might include grocery chains or big box retailers that send trucks around the country with goods to stock their stores. Or you could work for a bus or taxi service. You frequently change and rotate tires, replace brake pads, repair engines, and perform regular maintenance and inspections to keep your drivers safe and your fleet running.

4. Diagnostic Technician

As more and more cars rely on computer systems to run, diagnosing the glitches and issues with them have become more complex. As a diagnostic technician, you use a variety of tools to discover the source of problems related to the engine, emission and electrical systems, ignition, onboard computer, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, computerized air conditioning systems, and more. Computer savvy is helpful in this role as you may need to update onboard software, run diagnostic tests, and adjust codes. Even as you specialize in the diagnostics, though, you may also help out with the repairs, especially when the shop is busy, or a recall requires an across-the-line fix.

5. Brake and Front-End Technicians

If you prefer a more focused job, you may be able to specialize in brake or front-end repairs. In this job, you focus on issues affecting the vehicle's front-end, particularly the ride and handling. This may include tire rotation, vehicle alignment, electrical steering system repair, and specific engine repairs. Some technicians specialize in both front-end and brake repairs, so you might also replace brake pads and rotors, perform brake adjustments, and diagnose other problems with the braking system.

6. EV Technician

While some aspects of electrical vehicle repair are the same as for gas-powered cars—like alignments, tire rotations, and brake pad replacements—EVs require specialized technicians to perform most repairs and maintenance. As an EV technician, you need to understand very specific parts and the niche diagnostic tools used for service. You perform diagnostic tests, check to see that mechanical and electrical systems run properly, and replace worn out or damaged parts. Among the traditional systems you might work on are braking and HVAC. But you would also update the vehicle’s software and regularly check the battery health. You could work as an EV Tech wherever the vehicles are serviced or sold.

7. Auto Body Repair Technician

While body repair is different from engine repair, it still allows you to work on cars. When a driver gets into an accident, they turn to body repair. You diagnose the damage, determine if it’s worth repairing, and offer up cost estimates. Then you get to work. You might fix misaligned frames, bang out dents, buff out scratches, or replace broken windshields. And then there’s the paint job that makes the battered car look brand new. In addition to body shops, car collectors may also seek out your expertise for custom paint jobs or refurbishments.

Do any of these auto jobs sound like the one for you? At Lincoln Technical Institute, we offer an Automotive Technology training program to help you start a new career. Interested in auto body repair? We also have a Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program that can teach you the skills you need. Our instructors are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified and are dedicated to helping you succeed. You can hone your skills with real tools, equipment, and vehicles in our auto shops and body garages. Fill out the form to learn more.