Call a local auto shop or just drop by and ask if you can talk to someone about being a mechanic. Be ready to ask questions, like what someone who wants to work in this field should do to get started.

Interview a mechanic.

Gain mechanical knowledge by taking a class at your school. If your school doesn't offer it, try a community college or see if you can intern or shadow a mechanic in your community.

Take a mechanics class. 

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Small Engine Mechanics

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.

Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.

Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.

Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.

Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.

Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.

Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.

Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.

Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Overview

Career

What Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Do

Other Job Titles Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Overview

Career

What Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Do

Other Job Titles Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders