The FutureTech Roadmap to Transportation Technology Careers

Don’t hide these natural talents under a rock. Practice them, whether on the playground, over homework, or during after-school activities. Pursue these interests as far as you can, whether they lead to a lifelong hobby or a successful career.

There are plenty of opportunities out there to spread your wings—every year in the U.S., there are more than a quarter million local events centered around cars, motorcycles, boats, planes, racing, and a host of additional transportation topics. Transportation technology is also on full display in Soap Box Derby challenges and as a merit badge in both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Here’s how you can get started:

• Take an online assessment to get a sense of your preferred learning style.
• Attend local transportation events and get exposure to the wide variety of technician career paths available.
• Build technical skills through after-school programs and summer camps that have a transportation component.
• Start looking into high schools that have ASE-accredited auto, collision, or diesel shop curricula. The U.S. has more than 2,300 such programs! 

Next stop, high school!

If so, it’s time to let that tinkering blossom into top-notch, career-ready technical skills. There are nearly 300,000 ASE-certified auto tech professionals nationwide, with specialties in a wide variety of disciplines. What might currently be just a hobby can open you up to a world of job possibilities.

This career path can also be a great option if you have ADHD or dyslexia. Hands-on learning with strong visual and tactile components may be more stimulating and satisfying than traditional classroom learning. 

Some high school counselors will be in your corner on this, but many work under the familiar misconception that a four-year college or university is the only path to success, despite the fact that 30 percent of U.S. college students drop out during or after their first year. Internships and part-time jobs provide valuable work experience, and you may meet positive role models, mentors, and others who will provide good references for your future job search.

There are many ways to expand your horizons. SkillsUSA is a valuable resource—more than 345,000 students and advisors join every year, and many participate in annual after-school auto/diesel training and competitions. Organizations such as FFA.org and Explorers.org offer national career exploration programs in hundreds of communities both in-person and online.

Now it’s time to take action:

• Level up your technical skills through auto shop programs, summer camps, and competitions.
• Network with industry professionals—they are always excited to encourage students with an interest in the field.
• Start building your resume (it’s never too early).
• Enroll in ASE-accredited technical programs and apply to post-secondary schools.
• Start saving now and apply for financial aid, grants, and scholarships—don’t leave money on the table. Each year, TechForce provides $2 million in scholarships to students enrolled in post-secondary school. 
• Lastly, be sure to keep a clean driving record; that’s key to employment in the transportation industry.

After high school, it’s time for post-secondary school!

Outside of school, make sure to sign up for competitions and events at the local. state, regional, and national levels. These are great opportunities to build skills and to network. That last point is key—employers are seven times more likely to bring on a new hire whom they've previously met in the workplace or heard of through a referral. All it takes is a positive recommendation from one person to jump-start a career.

Waiting to start school? Tap back into those apprenticeships, internships, or other part-time work. Already started school? Be sure to take full advantage of its career services/placement team. The people who work in these areas are usually well connected in the industry and can facilitate valuable conversations with potential mentors or employers. Don’t wait until after graduation to take interviews—many students find their future employer while still in school.

Here is a video with some of the many reasons why people choose to be a tech!