AFV Technician

You like technology -- the challenge and excitement of keeping up with today's rapid advances. You're also concerned with the environment. And you have a love for cars. Now you're in school, hitting the books. But you're wondering if you can turn your interests into a profession and make a living doing what you love.

What's the good news?

You can follow your dream. You can have a solid, secure, stimulating career -- and make good money -- as an alternative fuels vehicle technician. To decrease our nation's dependence on foreign oil and to address concerns with increasing air pollution, the United States must reduce its thirst for gasoline and diesel and substitute those fuels with alternatives. There are already hundreds of thousands of alternative fuel vehicles on the road, and many large fleets have converted to alternative fuels. The demand for technicians to service this growing number of vehicles is increasing. That translates into job security for the alternative fuels vehicle technician.

What do I need to get started?

Although an interest in motor vehicles and a strong desire are important, that is only the beginning. Stick with your studies. You'll need a solid education.

Believe it or not, the basic knowledge and skills you are learning in your other classes will be essential to your success.

You will use your computer skills to diagnose engine problems. You'll use math and physics to help you analyze and solve system malfunctions related to friction, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electronics.

Because alternative fuels vehicle technicians are specialists who also must have knowledge of and work on standard fuel vehicles, the mechanical skills you are learning are very important. Strong communications skills are crucial for talking with customers and coworkers. Independent thinking and learning skills are also useful to the alternative fuels vehicle technician, who must read and understand considerable amounts of technical information to keep up with emerging technology.

What might my future hold?

The alternative fuels field is a developing career track, and if you have the drive, there's almost no limit to your options and advancement.

Many technicians love the day-to-day challenge of repairing and maintaining alternative fuel vehicles and have a good career doing just that. Others may go on to become fleet service managers, shop owners -- even teachers.

Although some students get jobs right out of high school, others may decide to seek specialized training through a technical school with an alternative fuels program. Still others will expand their education into a two-year associates degree or a four-year bachelor's degree.

Whatever your path, the alternative fuels vehicle service and repair industry is broad enough to make your dreams come true for years to come.