Are you the type of person who can’t wait for the weekend because you want to work on your car? Do you spend more time in your garage than in your house? If so, you may want to consider looking into a career as an auto mechanic. Granted, before you can start working as a mechanic you have to undergo extensive training. However, there are many different paths that you can take that allow you to make a good living while at the same time pursuing your passion. Check out these six suggestions for starting your career as a successful auto mechanic:

1. Make sure you really love working on cars.

It goes without saying that you should enjoy working on vehicles if you plan on becoming a mechanic. After all, that is what you will do every single day at your new job. Chances are, you will work on a wide variety of vehicles. You also will need to keep your knowledge fresh and up-to-date so that you are familiar with all of the latest technology. This is far easier if you already love working on cars.

2. Get an education.

Before you can get a job as an auto mechanic, you need to get an education. Typically, most people attend community college or special technical schools to learn everything there is to know about working on cars.

3. Become familiar with parts.

Cars are made up of many different parts and components. By learning about all of these parts and what they do, you will have the knowledge that you need to do repairs correctly. While you are in school, make it your mission to learn about every single part that you may encounter in the future.

4. Get your hands dirty.

The best way to learn about cars is to actually work on them. The school that you attend should provide you with plenty of hands-on training. You can take your training one step further by looking for basic jobs that you can do while in school that are related to the auto industry. For instance, while you are attending school, you may also want to work at a shop that changes oil or performs other basic car maintenance just to gain a little bit more experience.

5. Get certified.

Becoming certified as an auto technician is extremely important when it comes to getting a job in the future. Most shops only hire certified technicians. These days, you not only need to know about the physical parts of a vehicle, but also the onboard computers that work behind the scenes. You should also consider becoming certified to work on up-and-coming vehicles such as electric cars or hybrid vehicles. This type of training can set you apart from other technicians and can make it easier to find a job.

If you do decide to go out on your own, then ensure all your paper work is in order, that you are trained for every eventuality and of course that you have insurance for this profession.

6. Do your own research.

Your training shouldn’t just be limited to what you learn in school. Instead, you should also spend time on your own reading up on all of the latest developments in the auto industry and doing your own research. The more knowledgeable you are, the better chance you stand of getting a job that you absolutely love.