Automotive, Aviation, and Power Technology Degrees

What is an Automotive, Aviation, and Power Technology Degree?

Do you like fast cars? How about working on cars? Picture yourself working on your favorite car: after tuning the engine, you hear it roar to life and tingles of pleasure and satisfaction race through your body.  If you like the sound of that, a degree in Automotive or Aviation Power Technology may be right for you.

With this degree, you'll be working on cars and planes, doing routine maintenance, upgrading parts, and performing repairs on diesel, gasoline, electric or alternative fuel engines. The days of simple engines and vehicles are gone. Modern vehicles have integrated computer systems that constantly report information about how the vehicle is performing. While working towards your automotive and aviation power technology degree, you will learn how to use these computer systems to make your life as an aviation or automotive technician easier.

To be successful in this career path, you must be a good problem solver first and foremost. Often, customers will come to you with a malfunctioning vehicle and ask you to diagnose the problem and fix it. It takes a combination of patience plus extensive knowledge, specialized skills, and perseverance to perform well in this field.

For the most part, you will be working indoors in a garage or hangar, depending on the specialization you choose. You will be working a standard 40-hour week. Some risk of injury is possible. Banged fingers, bruises, and scrapes are common. And you should enjoy working in a garage, as you will often be working with greasy parts and heavy tools.

While you may find employment as a mechanic without a degree, there is much more opportunity for those who have a vocational degree. In addition to the degree, many employers will require you to obtain National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification.

The demand for automotive and aviation technicians is projected to grow in the coming decade, according the Bureau of Labor Services. Automotive technicians will earn $36,000 a year on average, while aviation technicians will earn around $52,000. Depending on the specialization you choose, the amount you earn may increase.

If cars or planes are your hobby, apply to earn a technician degree today!