Jacob Smith's journey to becoming a technician didn't follow a traditional timeline. This Western Technical College student has spent nearly two decades turning wrenches through hands-on projects, mobile mechanic work, and a relentless willingness to take things apart and figure out how they work. Now, returning to school to pursue heavy-duty diesel credentials while working 51 hours per week, he's investing in the next chapter of his career.

Motor Age is partnering with TechForce Foundation to share stories from the Techs Talk community. This section features students, working technicians, instructors, and enthusiasts sharing their paths into the automotive and technical trades.

A Mechanical Mind From Day One

Jacob's mechanical inclination started young. "I've always been mechanically inclined and liked learning how things worked," he explains. At just 15 years old, he began turning wrenches, starting with his own lawn equipment, then moving to home electronics, his dad's music gear, and even his own gaming systems.

"Taking things apart, mending them, and putting them back together made me feel good and made me want to learn more," Jacob shares. That curiosity led him to pursue formal education. In 2015, he graduated with a degree in computer maintenance.

The Jeep That Changed Everything

Around the same time, Jacob's father bought a 2009 Jeep Liberty, and Jacob saw an opportunity to deepen his mechanical knowledge. "At first, I only knew a little about mechanics. Then I learned how to find and fix problems by looking them up on Google and YouTube."

For the next ten years, that Jeep became his hands-on classroom. Jacob worked on it consistently, building knowledge and confidence with each repair. Eventually, he got ownership of the vehicle, which deepened his commitment to mastering automotive mechanics.

"That experience taught me that self-education is powerful," Jacob reflects. "Every problem I solved made me more confident, and every mistake taught me something valuable."

Projects That Prove Resourcefulness

About five years ago, Jacob spotted a 1988 Pontiac Fiero at a junkyard. It was rough, but he saw potential. The car needed new brake lines and bolts for the flex plate to be safe to drive. "I fixed the car for less than $300, and it became my daily driver for almost four years."

That project proved a crucial lesson: resourcefulness combined with hard work could accomplish remarkable things. "That experience taught me how much can be accomplished when you work hard, solve problems, and roll up your sleeves."

Looking for a bigger challenge, Jacob bought a 1999 Honda Civic from a friend and decided to construct the engine himself. Starting with a D16Y7 block, he installed D16A6 pistons to increase compression and added a D16Y8 intake manifold to allow more air flow. "I drove the car on and off for nearly two years, which gave me a lot of useful experience," Jacob explains. Transmission problems eventually made the vehicle undrivable, but not before Jacob had gained invaluable engine-building knowledge.

From Self-Education to Mobile Mechanics

When work became difficult to find, Jacob started conducting mobile mechanic work in his region with a close friend and mentor. "This helped me learn how to diagnose problems, talk to customers, and work on my own." The mobile mechanic experience taught him the business side of automotive work, not just the technical side.

Formal Training, Continuous Growth

After years of mobile mechanic work, Jacob decided to invest in advancing his career through formal education. He enrolled at Western Technical College to pursue heavy-duty diesel technology credentials, currently attending school for four hours a day while working 51 hours per week. On his days off, he continues performing mobile mechanic work.

His schedule is demanding, but Jacob's approach reflects his overall philosophy: continuous improvement through multiple learning channels. Classroom instruction provides the theoretical foundation and advanced credentials. Mobile mechanic work keeps his skills sharp and teaches him real-world problem-solving. And his personal projects continue to expand his technical knowledge.

The Goal: Lead Technician

"I want to become a lead technician in the field of heavy-duty diesel technology," Jacob states. He's drawing on nearly two decades of self-directed learning, problem-solving, and hands-on experience to reach this goal. The formal training at Western Technical College completes the foundation by adding structure, advanced credentials, and specialized knowledge that will position him for lead technician roles.

Jacob is proud to be part of the technical trades. "I am proud to be a part of this field because it is so important to keep businesses running and the economy going," he explains. Heavy-duty diesel technicians maintain the trucks that move commerce across the country. It's critical work that keeps supply chains functional.

The Advice That Matters

His advice to others considering technical careers reflects what he's learned through nearly two decades of turning wrenches: "I've gotten to where I am now via hands-on experience, self-motivation, and a strong work ethic. I'm determined to keep getting better as a professional technician."

Jacob's journey proves that becoming a skilled technician doesn't require a single predetermined path. It requires curiosity, persistence, and willingness to learn from multiple sources. YouTube tutorials, mentor relationships, formal education, and personal projects all contributed to his development as a technician.

At 51 hours per week of work plus full-time school, Jacob demonstrates that mid-career professionals in the technical trades continue investing in themselves. He's not in this for a quick paycheck. He's spent nearly two decades building a career, and now he's advancing it through credentials that will take him to the next level.

Jacob's nearly two decades of self-education prove that formal training enhances but doesn't replace the value of hands-on learning. With nearly 20 years of wrench time combined with advancing formal credentials, Jacob will be exceptionally well-prepared for his goal of becoming a lead heavy-duty diesel technician.

Support the Next Generation

TechForce receives more than 12,000 applications from students with deep financial need each year. In 2025 alone, TechForce awarded over $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.