Thomas Olayvar arrives at Mark's Auto Repair in Canoga Park, California, with more than technical skills. This Pierce College student brings six years of sobriety, American Welding Society certification, and a clarity of purpose that only comes from rebuilding your life from the ground up.

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.

Six Years of Clarity

"I'm proud to say that I've been sober for six years after overcoming a drug addiction that once derailed my life," Thomas shares. "That experience taught me resilience, discipline, and how to value the opportunities I have today."

His journey to Pierce College wasn't a straight line. Getting clean and staying sober required more discipline and inner strength than anything else he'd ever attempted. "There were many moments early on when I felt like giving up, but I didn't. What kept me going was the belief that I could build a better future and become someone I could be proud of."

Rebuilding Relationships

The transformation extended beyond sobriety. "In the process, I have also rebuilt my relationship with my family. This is something that I thought was not ever going to happen. I really thought they had given up on me."

A nine-month drug treatment program helped change his perspective on life. "Exposing myself to uncomfortable situations meant getting out of my comfort zone. The result was growth, personally and mentally."

Building Skills, Building Confidence

Thomas focused on developing practical skills to support his new future. He completed a 1,200-hour animal trainer apprenticeship through the South Dakota Department of Labor and earned certification from the American Welding Society at RTEC in Yankton, South Dakota. "Each accomplishment reminded me that I was capable of more, that my past didn't define me."

Now he works part-time as a technician at Mark's Auto Repair while pursuing his automotive education at Pierce College. The combination of work and school creates unique challenges, particularly financial ones. "Paying for school has been one of the biggest challenges I've faced on my path to building a better future. Covering the costs of tuition, tools, and transportation while trying to stay on track academically has not been easy."

His part-time technician work helps, but doesn't always cover all the demands. Yet Thomas sees the shop experience as essential, not just for income but for learning. "Sometimes I find myself gaining experience 'hands on' even before I learn about it at school."

Age Is an Asset

When Thomas first returned to education, he felt intimidated being around younger students. That concern quickly disappeared. "I soon discovered that this was not a disadvantage. As a matter of fact, my age and life experiences allow me to excel and stand out from the rest of the class. While I notice that other students are still very immature and tend to waste time, I am very serious about learning and know how valuable time is."

His welding certification enhances his versatility in the automotive field. The American Welding Society credential adds skills that set him apart and increase his value to employers. Combined with hands-on shop experience, it creates a foundation for the career he's building.

Passion Drives Purpose

"I chose my education program because of my lifelong passion for working with my hands, fixing things, and solving mechanical problems," Thomas explains. "The automotive industry has always fascinated me, not just the engineering and technology behind vehicles, but also the real-world impact of keeping people moving safely and reliably."

What excites him most about his program is how theory and practice connect. "Every class and lab gives me the opportunity to build skills that I can immediately use in the shop." That immediate application reinforces learning and accelerates skill development in ways that classroom-only education cannot match.

A Vision for the Future

Thomas's long-term vision extends beyond personal success. "My goal is to become a master technician and eventually open my own automotive repair business. I want to create a workplace that not only delivers excellent service, but also offers second chances to people like I once needed myself."

His plan reflects the values he's developed through recovery. "With six years of sobriety behind me, I've learned the value of hard work, mentorship, and community. This education is a critical step toward building a career and a life that reflects those values."

Every day at the shop and in class, Thomas demonstrates that people can grow, change, and succeed with the right support and determination. "Every day I show up committed to building a future I can be proud of, one where I can use my skills to contribute meaningfully to the automotive field."

His journey from addiction to sobriety to skilled technician represents more than personal redemption. It demonstrates the power of second chances and the strength required to rebuild from nothing. "What drives me now is the desire to succeed, to give back, and to be an example for others who are trying to change their lives."

Character and Competency

Students like Thomas who work while learning often bring maturity, focus, and appreciation that younger students are still developing. His life experience, combined with technical training and hands-on shop work, creates a professional foundation built on both skill and character.

Thomas Olayvar proves that your past doesn't define your future. Today, he's in school pursuing his automotive career, working in a shop, and moving forward with purpose. "I've come a long way, and I'm not done yet."

Support the Next Generation

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