He wanted to know if I already had a job in any company? I told him I was studying so that I could get a good job and not be treated like an apprentice.
Right out of high school, I went directly to a career center. I wanted to have an auto shop career, but I didn’t want to learn everything while I was working. I wanted to get certified in window tint installation, and painting. I had already taken classes on customization and restoration, which gave me a taste of auto shop work. I loved taking those classes, and I wanted to go even further. There wasn’t anything I could picture myself doing, other than auto shop work, for the rest of my life. I spent the next year at the local community college, taking classes that would help further me in my auto shop career. I learned more about brakes, exhaust systems, and how to restore cars that have been in accidents. I even gained several certifications which would give me an up when I put in my applications. When I was done with classes, my instructor pulled me aside. He wanted to know if I already had a job in any company? I told him I was studying so that I could get a good job and not be treated like an apprentice. He smiled and asked if I had any idea what auto shop I was interested in? I shook my head. By the time I walked out of the classroom, he had given me the name of one of the most prestigious auto shops in the area. He told me he would also give me a recommendation if I needed one. I walked out of that class feeling like someone had handed me a million dollars.