Meet a Rising Technican: Joshua Lashbrook

After more than 30 years in federal government service, Joshua Lashbrook faced an unexpected ending. Instead of letting it define him, he turned it into a new beginning. Now a Lincoln Tech student in Columbia, Maryland, this veteran is rebuilding his career in automotive technology while working weekends at a Mazda dealership. His motivation goes beyond personal reinvention: he wants his daughter to see that setbacks don't stop you, they redirect you.

Motor Age is partnering with TechForce Foundation to share profiles and perspectives of student automotive technicians. These students were asked about their experience working while in school.

Joshua doesn't minimize what happened. "When I got forced out of my federal government job after more than 30 years of service, it hit me hard, like the ground just dropped away," he recalls. "But I didn't let it knock me down for good. I turned it into a push to do better." That transformation wasn't only about him. "It wasn't only for me; it was for my daughter. I wanted her to see that when bad stuff happens, you don't give up. You stand up, shake it off, and keep going."

His interest in automotive technology had been there all along. "I've always liked cars and how they work, but my old job in IT took up all my time," he explains. Now enrolled at Lincoln Tech, he's pursuing the career he previously couldn't. "It's the first time in years that I actually look forward to what I'm doing."

The transition brought financial challenges. "Since I left the government, I haven't had a full-time job. I'm getting VA retraining benefits, but they don't cover nearly enough for the tools and gear I need," Joshua shares. His solution: working Fridays and Saturdays at a Mazda dealership for hands-on practice and income without compromising his studies. That weekend work serves purposes beyond income. "It's what ties everything together, letting me take what I learn in Lincoln Tech classes and use it right away on real customer cars," he notes. He chose Mazda deliberately because their training program through Lincoln Tech includes hands-on work on donated vehicles, not just books and videos.

Joshua expanded beyond Mazda by earning certifications in Hyundai and Genesis systems, which align well with Mazda's hybrid technology. That strategic approach reflects someone thinking about marketability and future specialization.

His weekly routine demonstrates disciplined time management: Monday through Thursday for classes, labs, and homework; weekends for shop work where he tests everything out. The separation creates clear focus while ensuring each environment reinforces the other.

Recent diagnostic work illustrates how classroom knowledge translates to shop success. Last month, he spotted out-of-round tires and warped rims on a Mazda 3, causing vibration others had missed. Using Lincoln's suspension lessons, he explained the problem to the customer and watched them drive off smoothly and satisfied. The satisfaction goes beyond technical achievement. "That kind of win feels just like when I fix my daughter's bike and see her face light up," he shares. "It's proof this path is building something solid for us."

Joshua sees his weekend work as essential preparation. "It's about getting comfortable in the fast pace of a shop, catching what I still need to study up on, and building the toughness for a real career," he explains. Without it, school would feel disconnected from actual shop work.

His long-term vision includes opening his own shop specializing in hybrids and electrics, positioning himself for an evolving industry. "I'm showing my daughter you can restart anytime if it's for a reason that matters," Joshua explains. His approach models resilience through action.

For career changers and veterans, Joshua's story offers a practical template. He leveraged available benefits while acknowledging their limitations, chose specialized training aligned with industry needs, and secured relevant work experience. Each decision reflects strategic thinking about maximizing limited resources while building a sustainable career.

The automotive industry benefits when it attracts people like Joshua: mature professionals with strong work ethics, life experience that builds customer relations skills, and motivation driven by family responsibility. His three decades in logistics and IT provided transferable skills in organization and problem-solving that, combined with technical training, create well-rounded technicians.

TechForce receives more than 12,000 applications from students with deep financial need each year. In 2025 alone, TechForce awarded more than $6 million in scholarships and grants. While this is an impressive sum of awards, it's still only awarding 1 in every 7 applicants. We need more donations to help more students obtain the technical training required to be workforce ready.

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