anybody know anything about diesel mechanics

I'm a mechanic/shop foreman and it's very hard to get good people in North East PA. Good people is the key, there are a lot of mechanics looking for jobs. Mechanics are no different that truck drivers, just because you have a CDL, it does not mean that you are a good truck driver. Buying a set of tools does not make someone a mechanic. Good comes with experience, training and work ethic. You can make a good living, but don't expect to land a $20+/hr job without experience.

Be realistic, know your limitations and be honest about them with yourself and potential employers. Good diesel techs are always in demand, but there's a ton of below average mechanics always looking for jobs too. It's very hard to weed out the bad ones and find a good one, I look for signs of good work ethic, that is something that I cannot teach. I can teach someone how to fix a truck, I cannot teach someone not to be lazy, or to get to work on time, or to care about other peoples money.

The first rule of mechanics, "Read everything before you do anything." If you're the type that puts the entertainment center together wrong, then takes the instructions out of the garbage can and has to redo it, then you should not be getting paid to work on anything. Things are always changing, most repair manuals are web based now because they change so much. The torque specs for an injector hold down bolt last year may not be right today, so you always have to double check things, especially with engines.

What type of experience and training do you have?

 

If you've disassembled your bicycle before age 12 and got it all back together you might have a natural aptitude for it. If not, you'll just be another parts changer.

 

Do you have any training at all? Votech, mechanical training in high school, etc.? It is very tough to get your foot in the door with no experience or training at all. Do you know anyone in the field that can help you land a job? Many tire places will hire on entry level people to bust down tires, recon wheels and other odd entry level jobs. Not glamorous work, but it's experience. Quick lube places, Sears, Walmart and other stores like that will hire on inexperienced people. Try some local general repair shops and see if they need a helper and tell them your intentions, you want to learn and become a good mechanic. These are stepping stone jobs, not careers. These jobs are looked down on by many good mechanics, but was the start for most of them. My 1st job was at an engine machine shop. I swept floors, cleaned machines, emptied the trash, helped guys lift engines on the machines, etc. I was the guy who did everything simple so the higher paid guys could do tehnical work. After a while I was helping tear things down and it progressed from there. That gaveme enough experience to get a job in a mom & pop truck repair business. That got me enough experience to get a mechanic job in a big fleet for a company that sent me through several factory training programs. 20 years later, I'm run a shop for a small fleet and I'm very happy.

The best thing I did to advance my carreer was getting ASE cerified. As I learned something, I got ASE certified in it. When I interviewed for my current job, the owner told me that he rarely see any ASE certs, so he was shocked that I had 26 of them. I also told him that finding what is broken or worn out is not diagnosing, WHY it broke or wore out is diagnosing. To chage a part without knowing why it failed is a parts changer, not a mechanic. Anyone can see a worn out tire and put a new one on, but if that tire wore out prematurely, the new one will too if you don't find out why. Always ask youself why.

 

Excellent wording, GrapeApe, and critically important point for any mechanic in training, or wanting to come into the field. I think it deserved repeating.
(BTW, I'm not a diesel mechanic, but have done a wide variety of mechanic/machinery work for over 40 years)

 

All great advice, especially what GrapeApe said. It applies to life in general too. Never stop learning. You never know where life is going to take you. What may seem useless now might be worthwhile knowledge down the road. My first job (besides mowing grass) was washing dishes. Not glamorous work at all but once the chefs saw my curiosity and a genuine willingness to learn they taught me all sorts of cool stuff. I just cook for fun now but I loved having had that experience. Be a sponge and take advantage of the knowledge offered.

Getting the certifications, like GrapeApe said, can make a lot of difference. I'm a carpenter (I just hang out here to learn about my boom truck) and there isn't anything like ASE certifications for my line of work. However, a lot of the companies that make the products that I use have training and award certificates or some sort of acknowledgment that I know what I'm doing. That stuff makes a big impression on clients when they are choosing who to hire. For me that's really important because I get 'hired' maybe a dozen times per year. Since getting my truck this spring I've done a bunch of the online Bendix training just to learn about how the brake system works. It's pretty well done and totally free, and if you pass the test they award you a certificate. The other part of my 'training' is coming here. Not to sound old but I will... when I was your age we didn't have the internet. I had to ask around or hopefully know someone that knew what I needed. All this free knowledge is freaking amazing.

One last bit of advice,

Not sure if you have anyone pressuring you to go to college or how you feel about it but this is my take: I spent five years getting a BS in biology and chemistry. Everyone around me said that I couldn't do anything unless I went to college, it was just expected. I really like science (I'm not Rocket Scott for no reason) so I got a BS in biology and chemistry, and no idea what to do with it. When I moved to WA I looked around at the available jobs and decided I wanted to pursue my passion, building houses. So that's what I do now. I'm glad you are finding your passion early and asking the right questions.

 

If you become a diesel mechanic don't shortcut anything, more times than not trying to save time by trying to make your own short cut will cost you more time then it saves. Also, good idea to always double check your parts, I've watched a guy spend hours trying to install a fan belt, only to find out the one he is trying to install was shorter than the one he took off. Never say no to an opportunity to learn from someone who is experienced, had a guy tell me he didn't want to change a radiator today, cant imagine how much longer he will be working in the shop.