Today's Technician: A day in the life

So what’s it like working these days as a collision repair technician? I-CAR’s Collision Reporter [virtually] canvassed the country to hear directly from the frontlines. Here’s what four technicians had to say:

What I Am Working on Today: A 2015 Kia Optima that needs a quarter-panel replacement and a rear door.

Best Part of My Job: I actually enjoy what I’m doing and I’m on commission. Being on commission is great because the more I produce, the more money I get. So, it’s up to myself how much work I can get done.

Favorite Recent I-CAR Course and Why: Aluminum welding test. It’s a great experience.

Biggest Take-Away from Ongoing Learning/Education: Getting educated for this industry is a great opportunity to know what you’re going to be working with. Also, if you get an opportunity like me to attend an auto collision school in your high school years, do it. As soon as you’re done with high school you’ll have a job like me!

One Piece of Career Advice: I recommend you get every piece of advice and watch everything your boss is doing while you’re a helper. Also, don’t be afraid to take your second step into being a body tech/painter.

What I Am Working on Today: It is routine to be working on several vehicles at a time, but I am currently focused on a 2020 Subaru Forester. This one involves replacing two lower-frame rails, two upper rails and core support.

Best Part of My Job: The personal challenge when I hear someone say, “This one can’t be fixed.” It’s very rewarding to safely repair a vehicle that other people have given up on.

Favorite Recent I-CAR Course and Why: The live aluminum welding class. The instructors are always helpful, and it’s really fun making ‘rows of nickels.’

Biggest Take-Away from Ongoing Learning/Education: I graduated from the Universal Technical Institute’s CRRT program, have been an Automotive/Collision Repair Technician for 16 years, and gladly learn something new every day.

One Piece of Career Advice: Be a ‘knowledge sponge’ with a baseline of honesty and common sense! When you’re at work...WORK! Never say, “It’s not my job!”

What I Am Working on Today: A 2018 Mercedes GLS 450 and a 2018 Toyota Tacoma.

Best Part of My Job: I get to see a vehicle go from a mangled mess to a thing of beauty.

Favorite Recent I-CAR Course and Why: Aluminum vehicle overview because it is an insight into the future of this ever-changing industry.

Biggest Take Away from Ongoing Learning/Education: This industry is changing fast. Without staying on top of education, I will be left in the dark; I will not have the skill set to properly repair vehicles.

One Piece of Career Advice: They need to have great attention to detail and the ability to continue to adapt and grow.

What I Am Working on Today: Putting a quarter panel on a 2018 Honda Civic 4-door, as well as a new bumper and headlight, and repairing the left fender on a Mercedes Benz E-Class. I’m also working on a Mercedes Sprinter van getting a fender replacement and a 2007 Corvette that is getting the driver’s door replaced.

Best Part of My Job: Bringing back something that is completely smashed to its pre-crash condition is really satisfying. Also, hearing `thank you’ from customers and hearing their gratitude makes me feel real good about my work. I really enjoy trying to duplicate factory seam sealing, and trying my best to ensure that if the car went through a `wreck check,’ it would pass due to the fact that the repairs were done properly, and to the normal eye look as if no one ever worked on the car.

Favorite Recent I-CAR Course and Why: The Honda courses. Working on Hondas is enjoyable to me because I’m a `Honda guy.’ They are great cars and just diving deeper into the [I-CAR course] test and learning about why they want you to do things a certain way (OEM repair procedure) is helpful.

Biggest Take Away from Ongoing Learning/Education: Everything new I learn is applied every day on every car I work on. The ongoing learning helps me develop new and appropriate techniques to keep my skills sharp…and helps give me a better understanding of why exactly the manufacturers require things to be done a certain way. Every day, I learn something new and could not be happier with the career I have chosen.

One Piece of Career Advice: Quality first and the speed will come next. One of the guys that trained me taught me that and it couldn’t be more true. There will be times as a new tech you are going to feel as if you are failing at something, but do not let that discourage you; your quality needs to come first. There will be weeks starting out that you won’t make a lot of money but you can’t let that discourage you, because starting out you’re going to work on cars you never worked on before and do jobs bigger than anything school taught you. Be a sponge. Study the manufacturer procedures and listen to the elders of the shop. They have seen and done a lot and can play a key part on becoming a good tech.