Auto Parts: school prjoect, michael ott, jiffy lube

Question
hi my name is Michael Ott and i go to Oakmont High. i am doing a career project about automotive technicians. for my research, i need to know some stuff about this career. how would you describe this career? what is the working environment/conditions. what is the education and training required for this career? is there any qualifications for this career? what is the average earnings and benefits? what is the competitiveness/ availability/ outlook?

Answer
This career can either make or break you.

Working environment/conditions vary by shop.

There are many self-made mechanics out there, but you can make more money by having the proper certifications, i.e., ASE.  There is a separate ASE certification for nearly every different system on a vehicle.

Wages vary, from your average minimum wage Jiffy Lube mechanic all the way to 6-digit numbers made by top-level crew chiefs in major racing venues, i.e., NHRA Top Fuel, NASCAR, MotoGP, and F1.