[VT944]

Ramstein,

What kind of person you are will determine what type of mechanic you should be. I started working on cars in my parents garage, and studied two years of Aircraft Mechanics, thinking that was what I wanted to do for a living. I did it for a short time, but I really love cars. So I got hooked up with a race team part time sweeping floors, odd jobs, etc... I really enjoed it, but the hours and the pay SUCKED!! For years it went on, and slowly my responsabilities grew, and I got more and more involved with dealing with the manufacturer (we were factory sponsored) and there I learned I had a real knack for dealing with people and marketing.

I don't think of myself as a great mechanic, because while I am certainly capable of doing the work, it usually takes me longer than others in the shop. But I can diagnose and fix electrical problems as fast as anyone I've ever met, and get a lot of the toughest electrical problems in town and jobs most people won't take. I also offer custom wiring harnesses from my new business.

The team I worked for had a paint booth, and I started fooling around with body work after work. I painted my own truck first, and it came out pretty good. At this point, I've painted over 70 cars, start top finish, and found I have a real knack for that.

But what I really love is restoration work. The attention to detail, watching something go from what most people see as a pile of junk to better than new.

What I'm getting at is there's more options than dealership mechanic. Every mechanic out there is good at some parts of the field and not good at others.

Are you good at putting out good work fast? Dealership might be for you. Are you meticulous and like to take the time to do it perfect, maby restoration work. Are you more people oriented, maby consider being a service writer (which the best ones have a good deal of mechanical know how, their NOT just paper pushers).

Find what YOU really enjoy, and go from there.

Also, it is quite different working for a smaller station vs. a dealership.

Good Luck with your decision.