If you decide on a career as an auto mechanic it can be rewarding as well as challenging. When there are an excessive number of challenges, some auto mechanics will quit and move on to other careers. Auto mechanics are responsible for servicing, fixing and repairing automobiles on a daily basis. To become a mechanic there are certain educational requirements you must fulfill.
There are a number of expenses you incur to become an auto mechanic. The tools you purchase are not cheap. If you go to Sears or another retail outlet you can purchase tools inexpensively, but they are not the best quality and don't usually last. There are tool companies such as Matco Tools, Mac Tools and Snap-on that have distributors which frequent mechanic shops on a weekly basis to sell tools. Mechanics pay more because the tools are better quality and they are receiving service on a regular basis. Some of the larger tool boxes can cost $10,000 or more.
Mechanics can get tired of doing business with tool distributors because they do frequently go out of business. Once a distributor goes out of business it can take from thirty days to as long as two years before the distributor is replaced. In the meantime the mechanic has no one to service his tools which cost him more initially because his account was being serviced by a tool distributor. Mechanics will often become dissatisfied and start doing business with a distributor from a competitor but the same thing can happen all over again. Eventually this can cause some mechanics to leave the business.
Mechanics don't have to become ASE certified which means they have fulfilled the requirement of passing one of the 40 exams offered for mechanics and have two years of actual work experience. When a mechanic goes through the certification process they are more knowledgeable and experienced. To remain ASE certified mechanics have to be tested every five years. Approximately 33 percent of all mechanics fail these tests. Some mechanics can get tired of studying for the tests and a lack of time may prevent them from taking additional classes which allow them to keep up with changes in the automotive industry. Mechanics with the ASE certification are more likely to attract more customers which lead to greater profits.
Mechanics also need good credit to purchase some of the large ticket items such as tool boxes. Without good credit they must try to work out a payment arrangement with one of the distributors, but no one wants to deliver a $10,000 tool box to a mechanic without some type of signed contract in place. Cash accounts can be established but only for the smaller ticket items. Bad credit can cause a mechanic to leave the business.
If you are a mechanic then chances are you stay covered with dirt, grease and grime from working on cars. Some mechanics get tired of the filthy environment and decide to find work that provides cleaner healthier conditions. Working with grease and oil all day long can expose your hands and skin to health risks.
There are mechanics that have the standard hours of nine to five but you also have mechanics that put in 12 or 14 hours per day. When you combine the long hours with all of the other disadvantages, they begin to take a toll after a while and mechanics will leave the business and look for other careers.
