Andrew Wargo, Automotive Technology Student

Andrew Wargo is an automotive technology student who currently spends his days under the hoods of cars, but is already invisioning himself someday spending time at the front of a classroom. Wargo – who earned an AAS degree in mechanical technology prior to his arrival at NCC and is also working under a mentor at Scott Chevrolet in Allentown – has been exposed to many different teaching styles and would like to help others understand how to apply the information that is presented to them during class.

"There are a lot of different ways that information can be presented, but the bottom line is that every person in the classroom has to be able to understand it," Wargo explains. "I've taken a lot of college courses and have experienced what it's like to learn under many different types of teachers who all have different methods. I've taken away a lot from these experiences."

Wargo found his way to NCC following several years of exploring different career paths. After graduating high school he spent several years working while taking college courses part-time. In 2009 Wargo graduated with a degree but had difficulty finding full-time employment in his career field. He also began to question if he really wanted a career working as a tool or machine designer.

"I called here [to NCC] to ask about the automotive program. I was interested in learning a trade skill where I could apply the knowledge from my existing degree but also interact with the technology and make repairs. I felt the automotive service industry could allow for this," says Wargo. "I like figuring things out –the process of solving problems through investigation, research, and testing. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment after solving a problem."

Unlike many who go into automotive careers, Wargo didn't grow up with a passion for cars. In fact, his first experience with working on vehicles didn't come until he officially entered NCC's program in October of 2010. The competence that he's displayed in the classroom, however, has led to Wargo maintaining a good rapport with his instructors and a solid grade point average – the latter of which earned him a scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year.

"I ask a lot of questions," Wargo admits. "I'm one of the oldest students in my classes and I take things a little more seriously. I'm looking to apply the skills I'm learning [in class] to the actual hands-on experiences we encounter during the practicums. We're able to ask the instructors and our mentors, ‘I just had this experience [with a car] at work. Why did this happen?' I just want to become as knowledgeable about the subject as possible."

Aside from his ambitions to eventually teach, Wargo also has hopes of perhaps becoming a field service engineer. Because the career is so specialized, it's an extremely competitive position, but one that Wargo isn't ruling out.

"It can be difficult, right now, to turn an education into a career", he says. "But, I've been working at that for a while now and I'm finally ready."