Diesel Technician Essay

Life of a Diesel Technician

Throughout my life, I have had an interest in working on cars, old trucks, or even tractors. Since I was younger, I would spend countless nights working on my quad. When I started driving, my interest in working on things became a hobby. I bought a 1985 K5 Blazer which took a hold of a lot of my time. I put a new transmission and engine in this truck which cost a lot of time and effort. This is when my inspiration for working on engines became a career I wanted to pursue.

A diesel technician will spend their day inspecting, repairing, and maintaining any type of diesel engine such as power generation, semis, farm equipment, and also mine equipment. Being a diesel technician is a hands on job the requires the ability

to understand and recognize how engines run and operate. This career field requires a high school diploma, but also can require two years of training through a certified course. I have studied at Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center for two years now under the diesel technology program. I will continue my education at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, IL. There I will prepare myself for my future. The cost of each year for this career is around $3000. This does not include the tools I will have to buy for my training, they range from $3000-$5000. I have applied for many scholarships, one including the Cummins scholarship which is followed with a guaranteed job. Cummins is one of the most top paying companies in the diesel program, it starts at $20/hour. One last certification needed for this career is the ASE certification. This is an accredited certification for all transportation for this job.
The median pay for a diesel technician is around $44,000 a year.

A diesel technician can earn up to $61,000 or more in the top paying jobs. Hourly pay normally starts around $20 per hour which can increase through experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, diesel mechanics and technicians are in high demand across America, with approximately 242,200 technicians being employed in the mechanic industry. Older diesel engines were mechanical which did not need as much maintenance. Diesel engines now are more efficient than gasoline engines. Diesel engines typically last longer. They are known to run up past a million miles when a gas engine runs to about 200,000. Today the government has stepped in and made regulations for exhausts like CO2, nox, and soot. With these regulations, there is a need for electronics and diagnostic equipment to help control emissions. I am currently working at A&B Contracting where I work on coal trucks and diesel equipment. I am working about 40 hours a week along with school. My experience at my job now will help me become successful through my future career and teach me everything I need to know about the way engines work. I plan to work at Cummins when I graduate. I have toured one of the many Cummins facilities and also met the President of the company. Throughout one week, a diesel technician could work 40 or more hours. In one day, one could work 10 to 12 hours. A vacation could last up to 4 or 6 weeks. This job requires hard

work but also dedication.
A diesel technician will have the everyday job of adjusting valves, timing engines, and tracing wires.

When it comes to the newer and bigger equipment like semis and tractors, there is a lot of new computers and monitors that are more likely to fail than the engines. This job requires hands on training, but also the ability to use your mind to think things through. There is a mass of little problems that could occur during the operations of this equipment which will take time and thought to solve. A diesel technician will definitely be getting their hands dirty. They can do anything from something as simple as changing oil, to rebuilding an engine in a Peterbuilt semi. The interesting factor of being a diesel technician is that everyday is always new and different, you will never have the same project. In a truck shop, you could work on a range of vehicles such as a diesel pickup to a gigantic RV. You could also work in a farm shop and have the opportunity to repair equipment such as a combine to a backhoe. There is also a diesel shop for every coal mine, this will include dump trucks or a miner. There are many achievements and rewards that follow this career, you could start out small then advance to a higher position. You could start out by job-shadowing then work your way up to having your own service truck and traveling to different places to work on equipment.

I chose this career because since I was younger, I have had a passion for working with engines and trucks. I believe

that a person should pursue into a career that they love what they are doing. For me, money isn’t what it is all about, I will just be happy to be doing what I enjoy. When I restored my old truck, it showed me how much hard work is required, but also how rewarding the end product is. To me this kind of career does not feel like a job, it is more like a hobby that I have while getting paid.
One day I would like to start my own shop for trucks and heavy equipment, this has always been my dream since I was younger.
There are many opportunities for jobs in our generation today. I am glad I chose this one. Not only will I be doing what I love everyday, but I will have fun while doing it. I am excited to start college at Wabash Valley and get the experience I need in order to pursue my career as a diesel technician. I plan to work through Cummins Inc. for at least 5 to 10 years where I could get the hands on practice in order to know everything about the way a diesel shop works. Then, hopefully I will be onto bigger and better things such as starting my own business here in Owensville, Indiana. This will be a great journey for me to follow my dreams to where I can support my family and live a successful life.

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Institute, Advanced Technology. "A Day in the Life of a Diesel Mechanic: Salary, Facts & Figures." Advanced Technology Institute. Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), 02 Dec. 2015. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.