John Baranski has steadily expanded his mechanic’s responsibilities here at at InC Auto Repair Center in Parker Colorado. He started as a technician when we first opened, then became our Lead Tech. Now, John proudly wears his ASE badge every day in the shop. We sat down for a chat to see just how his path evolved in gaining that coveted National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence designation.
John Baranski
Q: Did you grow up around family or friends who worked on cars/trucks/jeeps, or did this interest develop through other life experiences? In short: what inspired you to become a mechanic?
John: My father liked to work on cars, but I didn’t have much interest when I was younger. I would say, however, that I’ve always been mechanically inclined. Once I realized that, my interest grew.
Q: How old were you when you started on your training path?
John: I was around 18 years old when I entered the automotive industry.
Q: Who taught you to be the mechanic you are today? (this might be a layered experience of school, other people, etc. – tell us your story)
John: I have no formal training as a mechanic, aside from six months spent attending a community college. My mechanical ability comes from people I’ve worked under and next to, and experience.
Q: Did you apprentice under another mechanic you admired?
John: I’ve worked alongside many great mechanics and technicians at places such as Goodyear and RTD. And by the way: it’s not so much where you work, but the skilled mechanics you get to work with.
Q: Did you go to a vocational training school? If yes, which one? How long was the program?
John: No, but I was fully enrolled in watching others at the school of hard knocks, I guess. In the end, I did test and pass the ASE certification program offered by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. I’m proud of that achievement.
Q: What would you say to young boys or girls in middle and high school who are considering taking an auto shop class at their school or follow-up at a vocational technology school?
John: If your high school offers an automotive program, go for it. I would shy away from formal education entering college. Enter the work force first … starting as a lube tech for example … to see if it piques your interest.
Well, John certainly piqued our interest when we first met him. He inspired us to invite him to join the InC Auto Repair Center team here in Parker. Stay tuned for Part Two of our conversation with John Baranski.
Don’t miss our past conversations with InC Auto Repair Center co-owner Sheryl Brown:
Sheryl Brown: Keeping Pace with Automotive Technology – Convo #3
Sheryl Brown: Women in the Auto Repair Industry – Convo #2
Sheryl Brown: Conversation with Sheryl Brown – Convo #1
Make sure you catch up on the other conversations we had with key members of the InC Auto Repair Team:
Ron Thrall, Service Advisor: Life as an Automotive Service Advisor
John Baranski, ASE Technician: How to Become an ASE Mechanic Convo #1
John Baranski, ASE Technician: Life as an ASE Lead Tech Mechanic Convo #2
Michael Reed, Technician: Inspiration: Driveway Tinkering Births Mechanic Convo #1
Michael Reed, Technician: Mechanic’s Memoir: First Car & Favorite Toosl (coming soon) Convo #2
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