EVIT auto students job shadow at local dealerships

EVIT automotive technology students spent a few days earlier this morning learning about vehicle parts, service and sales while job shadowing at car dealerships across the Southeast Valley.

The students spent their class time during three days this week getting an up-close look at the industry they hope to work in someday. The experience helps them figure out which career paths will best suit their interests, said Randy Baker, an automotive teacher at EVIT, a career and technical school in Mesa.

“It’s better to know now rather than later,” Baker said. “It really opens their eyes, to be able to see what goes on behind the scenes.”

Students even have the potential to land jobs at the dealerships by making contacts and doing well during their job shadowing.

Second-year EVIT automotive student Branden Aguirre said he learned how to work with tools he doesn’t normally use, during his shadowing at Riverview Toyota in Mesa.

“I like working on Japanese cars, so coming here was beneficial for me,” said Aguirre, 18, who also attends Sun Valley High School in Mesa.

First-year student Ricky Venzor, 15, said he wants to join the U.S. Marine Corps after high school and attend college before opening his own automotive shop. Attending EVIT has been beneficial for him because it has given him opportunities he wouldn’t otherwise have had, he said.

“It helps you figure out what you want to do; you learn a lot,” said Venzor, 15, who also attends Mountain View High School in Mesa. “Plus, you don’t have to do it after school, so that’s great.”

About 50 Southeast Valley car dealerships opened their doors to show students the ropes and allow them to shadow their employees. The partnership is beneficial for the dealerships, too, because it helps them meet future potential employees.

Riverview Toyota service manager Cory Oliver

said he likes hiring EVIT students because they already have a jumpstart on their education and are further in their training than most entry-level employees. And it helps them figure out what department would be a good fit for each student.

“They might think they want to do this, but they don’t really know what it is like,” Oliver said. “Or they might get into the parts department and think that’s cool and decide to get into that aspect of it.”