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See what past graduates have to say!

WHAT ARE MY ODDS OF LANDING A GOOD JOB IN THE AUTO SERVICE FIELD AFTER GRADUATION FROM STEVENS ?
HOW ABOUT 99% !

What past graduates have to say:

"Your program prepared me for the rigors of college level work, and for that I am grateful."

"I would just like to say "thanks Mr. B and Mr. D. and to all my teachers at Stevens for a very enjoyable and educational experience, which helped me immensely in my life."

"I am very grateful for the education that I received at Stevens. I look forward to someday getting the opportunity to contribute to this fine program."

"I think the auto tech is the best. You have teachers who care in the shop and in the other classes. I am very proud to say I went to the tech. Mr. Berkheimer I want to say thanks for being a great teacher, and keep up the good work."

"Would just like to thank both Auto Tech instructors for the knowledge and skill they passed onto me."

"Due to health reasons I haven't chosen employment in the automotive field. However, I have been able to utilize many of the skills acquired during my training at Stevens. I am currently employed in a technical field where I have been able to apply knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems.
With so many areas of the automotive field, 2 years is a relatively short time to cover everything. I feel that the program at Stevens did an excellent job with it though, from technical analysis of automotive systems, to teaching logical thinking and problem solving. I cannot make any recommendations for change to your program. Both instructors did a fine job, and I feel the program as a whole was excellent."

"Although I am no longer in the automotive field, the knowledge I received at Stevens helps me greatly in diagnosing and troubleshooting various systems of our product." (arial work platforms)

"Theory-covering the material that was handed out. You did not just let it up to the student to read it. Great hand-outs- still using them today."

"I feel the most valuable asset of the automotive training course is the instructors!"

"A well rounded program. You gave us a taste of everything we could come up against out in the field."

"Although I got involved with heavy diesel, I feel that Stevens played a vital role in my success. Thank you very much!"

"I have worked at five jobs since I graduated, and I have seen so many "techs" who have no clue how automotive systems work. The general theory taught at Stevens Tech put me years ahead of others my age in the work force. The constant teaching of doing the job right was also very important, since I see so many who do poor quality work, and either don't know any better, or just don't care.
The only area of disappointment with my education at Stevens was the fact that I did not get enough in automatic transmissions. The instructors were first rate, and I hope you haven't changed a thing."

"It is good to know you are still teaching Mr. Berkheimer. You probably don't remember me, but I want to thank you for giving me a good understanding of the basics. I passed all 8 Master ASE's the first time I took them. I have been everything from Tech/Shop Forman to Service Manager. Currently I am happy working as a flat rate specialist Mercedes Benz technician. I enjoy being responsible for only me again. There is a great shortage of techs who want to learn/advance right now. If techs don't seek constant training they will be left at low paying thankless jobs. This not an easy way to make a living, but if you work hard it does pay well. Again Basics, basics basics, with them you can learn anything!
P.S. Hope all is well with you. I am well (2 kids, 2 dogs, house w/a fence). I have everything I want, and a long life ahead!"

"I really do appreciate the confidence that you both had in me. The automotive field was new to me and I felt very intimidated once I met the classmates of which, most had high school vo tech experience. But, once the class started and the thorough nature of the material provided, I felt more comfortable. This program helped me in terms of my drive and eagerness to learn. It also instilled a positive work ethic in me. I know I would not have sought higher learning if it weren't for the motivation and self-esteem boosting methods that you gave me. Throughout the years I've always said that I wanted to personally thank you guys. Everyday was a learning process in shop. I remember when I planned to quit the track team at Stevens, and you both told me that you would give me the extra materials missed to make sure I didn't fall behind…that really impressed me and enabled me to internalize the philosophy of "never quitting". You guys, and the Thaddeus Stevens Experience, is my basic foundation for what I am today! Thank you!!!"

"It's hard to say what the best part of training was, because it is all very important. Both you, and Mr. D. had less than a year each to try to train all parts of the automotive field. I feel it all depends on what shop the students plans to be working in, such as, a dealership, or a specialty shop that deals only in certain areas such as electrical, computers, engine reconditioning, or a shop that sticks to quick money making service. In all the places I've worked in so far, the most valuable training I received would be alignments, air conditioning, r-12/134, all ABS in brakes, and most important would be to use the books. READ! READ! READ!
If you ask what part was a waste of time, I would say "none of it". Like I said before, both you guys have such a little time to teach a lot of students, every possible area that they will be dealing with. Every piece of knowledge is to the students advantage. The more the better. I don't think you should drop a thing. The way the lessons are taught, nothing should be changed. The only way the training can be improved is to have an extended year of training. But that goes without saying, the more you learn, the better you are."

"Training at Stevens went above and beyond just a related field. We were given the opportunity to develop character skills and work out personality quirks. It's thanks to my training there that I was able to switch careers again, and not need extra training to do so. I'm doing well, and still keep up with automotive technology. I still get calls now and then with diagnostic problems. For some reason (Stevens) I seem to able to find problems some of the group can't. Thanks!"

"The best thing about my training at Stevens would have to be the entire Auto Tech program. My father offered to teach me about cars, and I was very interested in his offer, but I did not think he would be able to teach me the new technologies that were coming. I knew he could teach me HOW to fix cars, but I wanted to know WHY and WHAT I was doing. Stevens helped me to learn the theory and operation of cars. I found this useful when I was diagnosing cars with problems, because I could see in my mind what needed to be done and why it needed to be done. This is something that is very useful when I talk to customers, when I take tests (Enhanced emissions, ASE, etc.), when my friends ask me about their cars, and when I am talking to other techs. I got exactly what I needed to compete in today's automotive field, and I want to thank you very much for that. The only thing I lacked when I left Stevens was experience, but I talked to the other young techs that I worked with and found out that my education at Stevens was far superior to theirs by far!"

"I found Stevens automotive training program to be very helpful and valuable to me. It gave me the foundation of knowledge needed to grow and learn in this automotive field. I have come to learn that some of the people in this field don't have the basics learned, which is the important ground work for survival. I have also taken other courses/training where the instructors didn't have the same teaching skills you both possess. I just wish there were more instructors like you out there, giving us technicians the training we need."

"Both teachers treated all students equally. They also stressed the importance of attendance, and the importance of reading as much material as we could get. Just the care both gave made you want to be there to learn. I also enjoyed the hands-on, it's why I liked to be at the shop."

"Mr. Berkheimer, I believe the handouts given in class are one of the most important things that you and Mr. Deascenti had done for us. I still use them if I get stumped, or start getting frustrated."

"I think every part of the two year course was very valuable, and each part important. Since going to Stevens I feel very confident at work, and that I have a head start on many people who have been working as mechanics for many years. Thank you very much, and you were both excellent teachers."

"Both of you (Mr. Berkheimer and Mr. Deascenti) took the time to deal with everyone individually. I thought that helped a lot."

"An instructor who cares! Thanks Mr. Berkheimer. I feel my education was a very good value especially electrical and electronics. "

"Overall, Thaddeus Stevens was the best thing that could have happened to me. It was absolutely the right choice to make after high school. The remarks I've made are based upon experience of attending other colleges after Stevens Tech. I suggest that the Auto Tech program incorporate a system through which students can earn, or be vigorously prepared for, the A.S.E. tests. The point being, that besides a degree from Stevens, the next most impressive and noticeable thing a potential employer can see, is that blue seal from A.S.E.

"The best part was when Mr. B. booted me out of the shop one day for not having my tools or work boots there. This truly shocked me, and made me a better man in the long run."