Last week, Mitchell Automotive was proud to host students from the Automotive Career Tech program at Geneva County Schools for a behind-the-scenes look at what a career in automotive service can truly offer.
On January 15, students arrived at Mitchell Nissan and kicked off the day by hearing from John Mitchell Jr., who shared his personal journey in the business. John talked about starting out by cutting grass at the dealership, moving on to washing cars, and working his way through nearly every department in the dealership. Today, he oversees operations for all four Mitchell Automotive dealerships. He welcomed the students, expressed how proud he was to have them on-site, and encouraged their interest in the automotive industry.
Students also heard from several members of our leadership and service teams, including Bob Schoenfield, Fixed Operations Manager for Mitchell Automotive, James Snider, Service Manager at Mitchell Nissan, and Darrell Zinn, Shop Foreman at Mitchell Nissan. Together, they spoke candidly about what a career as an automotive technician looks like today and why it offers long-term opportunity.
Why Become an Automotive Technician?
Automotive service is hands-on, high-tech, and in demand. It is no longer just about fixing cars. It is about technology, problem-solving, and keeping people safely on the road. For students who enjoy working with their hands and figuring things out, it can be a rewarding and stable career path.
Cars are evolving, and technicians are needed more than ever.
Today’s vehicles are rolling computers, blending mechanical systems with advanced electronics and software. As cars become more complex, skilled technicians are essential for diagnostics, electronics, EVs, and ADAS systems. The industry continues to grow, and the work cannot easily be outsourced or automated, which means strong job security.
Technicians are problem solvers.
Automotive technicians are not just turning wrenches. They are diagnosing issues, troubleshooting systems, and solving real-world problems every day. Many technicians treat their service bay like their own business, taking pride in efficiency, quality work, and results.
There is real room to grow.
An automotive service career can lead to many different roles, including master technician, diagnostic specialist, shop foreman, service manager, service advisor, parts specialist, trainer or instructor, field engineer, technical consultant, or even shop owner.
This career may be a great fit for students who like figuring things out, prefer doing over sitting, enjoy technology, want a skill-based career, and want control over how skilled they become and how much they earn.
The bottom line is simple. The automotive service industry offers strong job security, competitive earning potential, and a future you can build.
A Full Dealership Experience
After hearing from our team, students toured the Mitchell Nissan dealership and experienced the full service process from start to finish. They walked through the service drive, where customers are greeted at their vehicle, into the customer lounge, and then into the heart of the operation.
Students learned how service work is entered into the system and routed to the shop foreman, who assigns jobs based on technician skill sets and workload. In the service bays, they watched technicians perform everything from a standard oil change to a rear axle replacement.
The tour continued through the parts department, where students saw the extensive inventory available to keep repairs moving efficiently, and then into the detail department, where vehicles are washed and cleaned before being returned to customers.
From there, students visited Mitchell Hyundai for a similar walk-through of the service department, then traveled to Mitchell CDJR to see our brand-new, state-of-the-art facility. One highlight of the day was getting a peek under the hood of the all-new 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, which sparked plenty of excitement and questions.
Building Tomorrow’s Workforce
We truly enjoy giving students a firsthand look at the automotive trade and showing them the opportunities available beyond the classroom. Investing time in these future technicians is an investment in our industry, our community, and the next generation of skilled professionals.
We are grateful to Geneva County Schools for partnering with us and look forward to welcoming more students through our doors in the future.