Possible Mechanic Careers
When your car won’t start, you seek the services of a mechanic.
If any of your vehicles or machines break–a car, lawnmower, boat, etc.–you seek out a mechanic.
Obviously, you’re not going to see the same mechanic if you’re having all of these problems. Mechanics specialize in different types of machines.
If you’re looking to make a living as a mechanic, there are a number of different avenues.
Here are the most common types of mechanics.
Auto Mechanic
Everyone who owns a car will eventually take it to an auto mechanic. If you’re working as an auto mechanic, you can work at a variety of places, like an auto shop or a service station, or even a dealership.
Heavy Vehicle Mechanic
A heavy vehicle mechanic is somewhat similar to an auto mechanic, but they work on heavier-duty vehicles.
A heavy vehicle mechanic will repair and maintain vehicles like rail cars, farm equipment, and various mobile heavy equipment for worksites.
Due to the nature of the job, mechanics who specialize in heavy vehicles may have to go perform maintenance on-site, as some vehicles may not be able to be feasibly moved to a shop.
Motorcycle Mechanic
Motorcycles can be fun ways to get from one place to another. Plenty of people who own them also learn how to take care of them.
However, there’s a reason that dealerships who sell Harley Davidsons, Yamahas, and Triumph motorcycles still offer servicing for their vehicles. Some people don’t know how to work on their own motorcycles, and a motorcycle mechanic can make a good living keeping them in condition (or fixing work done at home by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing).
Small Engine Mechanic
A small engine mechanic works on engines in vehicles generally smaller than a car.
That includes boat engines, engines on jet skis, lawn mowers, and even engines on snowmobiles, among other similar engines.
This work can be profitable, but the downside is that it can also be very cyclical. A lot of people have their vehicles worked on at the start of boating or skiing season, or at the end, and in between work can be sparse.
Still, it’s a good job, and a good mechanic should be able to keep actively working without too much trouble.
Stratford Career Institute offers an affordable online course on small engine repair.
Diesel Mechanic
The world runs on diesel engines, though most people aren’t aware of it. Buses, trucks, and planes are all powered by diesel, and they need a special kind of mechanic.
These are large engines, and because they’re used in such expensive vehicles that have such important missions, diesel mechanics spend a lot of time doing preventative maintenance.
However, every so often, something goes wrong, and when that happens, a diesel mechanic will be working on an engine that may be almost as big as a small car.
Diesel engines are also some of the most complex engines in common use today and are getting more complex all the time. That makes diesel mechanic work some of the most interesting and challenging of all.
Start Your Career As a Mechanic Today
All of these jobs are in-demand in many areas, and all of them can offer a good living for anyone looking for a new career.
If you’re interested, the best thing to do may be to try out a class on basic mechanic skills, such as the one offered at Stratford Career Institute.