I'm a 34 year old woman from, Devon England & I'd like to become a mechanic, where do I start?
Please, I'm serious about this so no sexist remarks!
2006-09-18 11:07:01 · 22 answers · asked by devon lass 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Big market.
Think how many women drive and are worried about mechanics ripping them off. Almost all of them would inherantly trust another woman much more than a man.
There's very little in mechanicing that involves brute strength, you can always use a longer spanner.
Try your local technical college.
Or get yourself a bit of a wreck and a workshop manual.
If you have trouble getting a job with it, just go freelance.
2006-09-18 11:09:31 · answer #1 · answered by Hairyloon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ageist not sexist you are probably too old, mechanicing puts a big strain on the back, just bending over the front of the car with bonnet makes my back and legs ache these days and I m 50.
There is a strength issue lifting loosening and tightening special nuts, Driveshaft, crankshaft, wheel bearing can be too much.
A career as a mechanic up till 30 then moving into service management, service reception or MOT testing would be a good move for a school leaver but My back and legs started to give real problems in my late 30s so I cannot recommend this type of work..
2006-09-18 13:59:23 · answer #2 · answered by "Call me Dave" 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know of a few women mechanics and they do a wonderful job. If you are in the UK then I can't answer where to start as far as training but if you are in the US we have technical schools which train you for this. If you have a good mechanical and electrical aptitude then you will do well. Take a look at he female race car drivers out there...they are good at what they do. You will run into some sexist co workers but if you are good at what you do then they will leave it alone after some point.
I personally learned from experience...it was a natural for me. I was a mechanic for over 20 yrs. If I can do it so can you.
You go for it and do well....Good luck
2006-09-18 11:16:11 · answer #3 · answered by Kenneth S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start By getting a job changing oil and get familar with the car, then buy a car that needs mechanical work, buy a manual and fix it right. Do this for the majority of a year or two. Then apply at a dealership where they sell cars and work there to learn how new cars function and how computers work with autos. When you reached this far buy tools as you learn. By the time you have finished it should be two to five years and you r well on your way to being a good mechanic.
2006-09-18 11:22:09 · answer #4 · answered by michael g 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no sweat. I don't know about England. I am a 34 year old mother of two teens who has worked as a semi truck mechanic for 13 years in the USA. It is tuff work and it will destroy your body. ( especially hands , feet and shoulders) But alas, we all have to earn a living and this job does tend to pay the bills. Best of Luck!!
2006-09-18 11:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by basketchick43078 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to take courses, then try places such as PCFE, or even Plymouth Uni. If you just want to know what to do the best way is to buy a piece of junk, take it apart, then struggle to put it back together. This will teach you far more than any course. It's how I learned. And although I'm only really an amateur I seem to be much more capable than the so-called experts I speak to.
2006-09-19 12:27:15 · answer #6 · answered by Bealzebub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many Junior colleges and Technical schools offer training to become a mechanic or you can learn the trade as an apprentice.
Unfortunately I don't know of any in England.
http://www.wyotech.com/
2006-09-18 11:12:57 · answer #7 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go for it!! i started my mechanics training when i was 16 going back a few yr i know get yr self enrolled in the nearest college and get yr self an aprenteship(scuse spelling) u can learn and earn at the same time u'll get sexist remarks no matter who who u work and train with i worked for bmw north oxford maybe worth trying a company like bmw as they are un sexist believe me xx good luck
2006-09-18 11:21:59 · answer #8 · answered by kj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are very brave. I'm involved with casual drag racing in Los Angeles, CA. I personally don't know of a single lady mechanic. They are all men, and very sexist. There are several lady drivers, who I consider to be thick skinned, due to the pressure by the guys. I wish you the very best.
2006-09-18 11:25:10 · answer #9 · answered by MARIA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be assured that being a mechanic is a dirty low paid proffession where no one believes what you say and customers just want you to take the can for thier refusal to pay to maintain their vehicle properly.
Stay out of it - do plumbing, electrical or brick laying - honestly.
2006-09-20 09:10:57 · answer #10 · answered by I loathe YH answers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋