10th
Annual Automotive Careers Night
The 10th Annual Automotive Careers Night was held on Presidents Day, February 18th, 2002 on the North Iowa Area Community College campus. The purpose of the event is to provide area high school students with information on career planning and choices in the automotive service industry and to give them an opportunity to visit the campus, meet NIACC personnel and to learn of the educational/vocational offerings.
At 5:30 p.m. everyone congregated in the Muse-Norris Conference Center to enjoy pizza, beverage, and brownies. Financial Aid Director/Scholarship Chairperson, Mary Bloomindale explained student aid and briefed the students about the application process for the many scholarships available. Greg expanded on the scholarships by noting some that are automotive specific. Gary Forbess, Industrial Division Chairperson, informed the participants that the automotive program, which is NATEF/ASE certified, had recently been named the State of Iowa winner in the ASE Award of Excellence competition and was honored nationally as the runner up in the non-manufacturer category in the 2001 competition. He congratulated the program instructors and extended his thanks to the NIACC personnel that had completed the application/competition paperwork.
Dave Duncan of Des Moines, a member of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association was the first speaker. The association represents 425 new car and truck dealerships. Instructor Greg Arrowood made the introduction and noted that the IADA was a co-sponsor for the second consecutive year and asked that the audience give a round of applause in appreciation of the pizza dinner that the association had provided.
Dave took a few minutes to identify, and expand upon, a very important technician qualification: a fine-tuned ear. The students could easily relate to the sounds that he gave as examples of those made by automobiles in distress. On a more serious note, Dave told the group that technicians need to understand electronics and high-tech diagnostic equipment because the average vehicle now has 15 on-board computers that operate the automotive systems. Because the industry is no longer just about "turning wrenches" he stressed the need for technical training. He shared the latest numbers: 35,000 skilled technicians are needed nationally to fill available positions...and he also confirmed that there are job opportunities in northern Iowa and throughout the state. In order to encourage the flow of new technicians into the industry, the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association created a Foundation for Education which supports educational endeavors and awards scholarships to help qualified students defray their educational expenses. Dave urged the students to review the information/scholarship applications that were included in the packet that they had just received. This year, the IADA Foundation for Education will award fifteen $1,000.00 scholarships to freshmen students who will be enrolled in training programs such as the NIACC Automotive Service Technology program.
Chris Prevatt of Britt addressed the group next. Chris is the Winnebago Motorsports and Specialty Markets Manager, and he told the students that he was "living his dream" in his position with Winnebago and that he "got paid to go to the races" because his employer sponsors the largest stable of race cars on the circuit. He named friends, clients, and associates that are household words to race fans. It was suddenly very obvious that those in attendance had fine-tuned ears! And how did he land his job-of-a-lifetime? Chris attributed it to one factor, CHANCE. He was quick to warn the students that that was not a very practical approach to career planning. He encouraged those who were interested in the industry to jump start their career with a sure thing: education and training in the field. There are jobs for professional technicians in the racing field, but, just as Dave had pointed out, technology rules. He closed by telling the students to follow their dreams but to keep their options open. Before his dream job opened up a whole new world to him, Chris had already met his initial career goal: to raise cattle.
Two tables that flanked the speaker podium were covered with door prizes and it was time to draw names from the registration cards and distribute them. As small groups were escorted by NIACC personnel from the center to the automotive lab, Greg and instructor Mark Poppe awarded the giveaway items donated by Blue Bandit Racing, Mason City Tires, Matco Tools, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Winnebago Industries, and Winnebago Motorsports division.
Once the groups had arrived at the automotive laboratory, the students and their instructors were invited to have a class picture with the featured photo car for the evening. This year, Tom Hovland's 1988 Lamborghini Countach held that honor. The rest of the auto lab bustled with activity as well. Our guests had been given information to help them map out their future; we presented them with a NIACC Automotive Technology t-shirt to remind them of where they had been. Groups of people surrounded the display vehicles to admire them and to ask questions. Program students Scott Dobel and Shane Hansmeier had their respective (and respectable) Chevy trucks on display, a 1951 1 1/2 ton and a 1994 S10 lowrider. Another pair of vehicles were displayed by program graduates; Dillion Vierkant's fine '69 Camaro and Adam Beller's down-to-the-ground '94 Honda Civic. And speaking of down and low, Clarence and Denise Mayo of Manly had brought out their Super Comp dragster, Blue Bandit III, all ready for the new season with it's 800 horsepower engine and paint scheme. Al Larson of Lake Mills provided a little nostalgia with his pair of immaculate classic Chevy convertibles, a '55 and a '57.
But there was more. In the midst of the cars and the conversations, an area about the size of a parking space had been sectioned off for a contest of skill. Students tested their speed and proficiency in the First Annual Spark Plug Changing Challenge. Instructor Rob Heimbuch and freshman student volunteers manned the contest. The winner took home the chrome.... a rachet-extension spark plug socket set donated by the Mason City NAPA Store!.
And then, as it always has in the previous years, it came to a reluctant close. The hundred-plus people who had gathered to share their interest in the automotive field had to call it a night...........The 10th Annual NIACC Automotive Careers Night!
Greg Arrowood: 422-4243 or 1-888-GO NIACC, ext. 4243Rob Heimbuch: 422-4155 or 1-888-GO NIACC, ext. 4155
E-mail heimbrob@niacc.cc.ia.us
Return to Automotive Service and Service Technology
Home | Search | Calendars | Directory | NIACC News | Contact Us | NIACC Alerts
North Iowa Area Community College, 500
College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-1264 or 1-888-GO NIACC
www.niacc.edu