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Inspired by this man's incredible story
It’s true. I’ve spent thousands of hours reading books, studying manuals, and drawing engine diagrams, all to prepare for the Car Talk mechanic consultant interview.
I started car repair and customization in middle school, but when it came time for college I pursued a degree in Computer Science. My rationale was that there would be too many mechanics looking for jobs by the time I graduated. Boy, I was wrong.
Later, I joined the Army to become a mechanic, but the recruiter talked me into a military intelligence position, and I spent the next two years studying the German language. I served in Germany for 4 years afterward.
Before I left the Army, I attempted to get back into programming and was surprised at the difficulty. I had replaced a headlight in middle school and kept learning car repair through high school. I even started learning some car customization, adding tinted headlight covers to my car. But I restarted my car repair studies with a caliper replacement, and the leap was too large. I just couldn’t grasp it.
I did enjoy minor car customizations, however, but I used decal kits with a with easy directions. I didn’t even know how to replace my own brake pads.
After the Army, I decided to stay in Germany for a year and teach Software Development. I used my nights and weekends to study mechanics, using wrenches, air compressors, torque wrenches (which were new at the time), and air hammers.
After a year of intense study, I landed a job in the Boston area, and I’ve been here ever since.
I’ve been a mechanic now for 15 years. I’ve started 3 shops, 2 of which are still running and generating revenue. I’ve worked at large and small garages and helped new shops launch and grow.
I’ve had a successful career and learned a lot along the way. But I’m not done yet.
Remember the part where I didn’t get an auto repair degree? It has made a difference.
A few years ago, I thought I could get hired anywhere. I thought I was hot stuff: the elusive full-car mechanic. But during my job search in 2013, I realized my skills were lacking. I had spent so much time chasing dollars by running garages in my spare time, that I had let my skills atrophy. I hadn’t kept up with car repair.
For years, I had learned just enough to get by. I had a wide skill set but wasn’t an expert in anything.
Don’t get me wrong, I could still get hired, but not in areas I wanted to work in. I could get hired for areas where the cars were somewhat outdated, like me. There’s big money in there, but I didn’t see exciting prospects.
The realization reached its peak last year at a career fair. I was interested in perhaps working for one of the local companies that were mechanic consultants. However, the fact that I lacked a auto repair degree, and the skills and knowledge that accompany such a degree, meant I didn’t have a chance.
I was working full-time on my businesses at the time, and still am today.
At the beginning of 2016, I decided it was time to make a career change from mechanic to consultant. I would need to study hard and practice in order to compress an auto repair degree into a few months, but once I did, I could start a new career.
You may not see car repair and repair consulting as different positions. Both involve mechanics and craftsmanship, but consulting adds to it knowledge of different cars and engines, welding, weight considerations, and understanding the impact of customization and other decisions on the vehicles where they reside.
Car Talk sets a very high bar for hiring. They want to hire only the best. So if I set my sights high (getting hired for Car Talk), I’ll still be quite hireable elsewhere even if I’m not selected.
I have attached my flash cards to this Gist.