On Monday, February 2, we had the best kind of “busy” day in our service department, we welcomed three students from Geneva County High Schools’ Automotive Tech programs to Mitchell Nissan for a Shadow Day experience.
For these students, it was a chance to step out of the classroom and into a real dealership shop, seeing what the job looks like when the doors roll up, the work orders start coming in, and the team gets moving. For our technicians, it was an opportunity to do what great mentors do best: teach, demonstrate, and let the next generation get their hands dirty (in a good way).
A big welcome, with a custom touch
We also loved being able to make the day feel special from the start. In partnership with our uniform provider, UniFirst, and Jason Brunson, we supplied each student with a custom technician shirt with their name on it.
It might seem like a small thing, but it matters. Those shirts weren’t just a souvenir, they were a symbol of belonging for the day. These students weren’t just visiting, they were stepping into the role and getting a real taste of what a future in the automotive industry can look like.
Learning from the best
While they were here, the students learned directly from two of our own:
- Darrell Zinn, Mitchell Nissan Shop Foreman
- Jake Dye, Mitchell Nissan Technician
They observed, asked questions, and got to see how professional technicians approach each job with safety, focus, and pride. And yes, they didn’t just watch, they turned wrenches, too.
What they experienced in one day
Shadow Day gave the students a wide view of what happens in a modern service department, from technical skills to daily workflow. Here’s just a snapshot of what they worked around and learned:
- Four-wheel alignment
- Replacing lower control arms
- Brake fluid service
- Replacing a multi-way control valve
- How to safely lift a vehicle on the rack
- Shop safety protocols
- The daily workflow of the shop
- Basics of the Nissan ASIST system, including navigating the service manual
- Why detail matters, and what “fixed right the first time” really means
- Asking thoughtful questions about both the work and the career path itself
If you’ve ever wondered what students actually get out of a day like this, it’s simple: confidence. Confidence that the work is real, the skills are learnable, and there’s a place for them in this industry if they want it.
Why Shadow Day matters (for students and our community)
The automotive world is changing fast, and today’s technicians are working with advanced systems, diagnostic technology, and detailed service procedures every single day. Programs like Geneva County’s Automotive Tech are building that foundation early, and Shadow Days help connect the dots between learning and doing.
We’re proud to be a part of that bridge, because when local students explore career paths like this, it strengthens our workforce, our schools, and our community.
Thank you for spending the day with us
To the students who joined us, thank you for showing up ready to learn, jumping in, and asking great questions. And to UniFirst and Jason Brunson, thank you for helping us welcome them in a memorable way.
We love partnering with local schools to give students a real look at the trade and the pace of a working shop.
Thanks again to everyone who helped make Shadow Day happen.