Autobody Technician

Because your artistic side has often driven you to be creative, you like working with your hands. You've always had a flair and interest in form and color. And you have a love for cars. But, can you tie all these things together, follow your dream, and make a living?

What's the good news?

You can bring all your interests together as an automotive collision repair technician. You can have a solid, secure and stimulating career...and make good money.

As long as there are people driving, there will be wrecks that need to be repaired. According to the Automotive Service Association, collision repair is nearly a $30-billion a year industry. That translates into job security!

How do I get started?

Although you may have many of the basic talents like a good eye for color and dimensions, that is only a beginning. You also need a good, 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 apply what you learned in math to help you measure and dimension.

You will use your science knowledge when mixing paints and thinners and reducers. There's physics at work when you adjust pressures and fluid flow to apply the paint with low volume, low pressure guns. There's even electronics.

You will apply your communications skills when you have to find information in shop manuals or computers. Good communications is vital when dealing with customers, coworkers and when you have to write estimates and reports, or order parts.

What might my future hold?

Many collision repair technicians prefer to specialize -- some in structural repair, others in painting and refinishing.

Some technicians with leadership and business talents will go on to own their own shops. Some become service managers, shop managers or even auto technology teachers, if they have strong communication skills.

Although many students get jobs right out of high school, others may decide to seek a two-year associates degree from the local community college. Still others will expand their education into a four-year bachelors degree.

Whatever path you chose, the automotive collision repair industry is broad enough to apply your best assets and make your dreams come true for years to come.