EVIT Auto Tech students practice interview skills

The Automotive Technology students at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) went from "under the hood" to "behind the desk" today. They may know all about cars, but can they sell themselves to a future employer? Industry professionals were on hand for mock interviews with the students to help them learn how.
A good, firm handshake is a tried and true interview skill as taught by Bob Jones, owner of Quality Transmission.

Mike McAfee with the Arizona Automobile Dealer's Association interviews the students then gives feedback on what they did well, or how they could improve.

Students learn job seeking skills by filling out resumes, writing cover letters and now by actually practicing the interview process itself.

The practice has proven to be successful. EVIT's Automotive Technology program is #1 in the United States for placements of students in jobs.

Half of EVIT students still have Perfect Attendance!

East Valley Institute of Technogy (EVIT) students filled the EVIT auditorium three times to celebrate completing another grade period with perfect attendance. Thanks to contributions from Thorobred Chevrolet, two cars are the incentives to be at school every day.

All EVIT students are in competition for a car that will be spruced up by EVIT's Automotive Technology and Collision Repair classes. But, this year EVIT seniors will have another chance to win a brand new Chevy Cruze as part of General Motors' Chevy Drive for Perfection contest.

Steve Marley, Service Manager of Thorobred Chevrolet, says that this is a chance for industry to promote a perfect attendance work ethic while students are still in training. The drawing will take place on May 23rd!

Auto Student Proactive about Change

Sheralynn Sampson, a senior at Salt River High School was celebrated last week for both her excellent track record as a successful female student in a male dominated program, and her drive to bring change into this competitive field.

Sheralynn recently contacted the local auto celebrity Sarah "Bogi" Lateiner, owner of 180 Degrees Automotive, to visit EVIT and help the East Valley recruit more females in the Automotive industry.

EVIT Auto Tech hosts Clean Air Expo

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) is hosting "Odyssey" National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day on October 22nd. Hybrid cars are now! Come see the new and the classic cars that use alternative fuels.


The event is open to the public at EVIT, 1601 West Main Street in Mesa from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

National AFV Day Odyssey is the largest one-day event dedicated to promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Coordinated nationally by the National Alternative Fuels Consortium and partnering with the U. S. Department of Energy's National Clean Cities Program, this biennial event endorses AFVs and advanced technology vehicles as the best choice for the future of America.

Learning straight from the industry

Randy Baker's automotive technologies students got a crash course in air conditioning repairs during class today.

John Brunner, who is on the advisory council for EVIT's auto program, travels the country teaching various groups about air conditioning repairs. He met with the EVIT students for about two hours and demonstrated different techniques.

"He's very knowledgeable, coming straight from industry," Mr. Baker said. "It's nice to be able to have that exposure to industry for the students."

And besides, Mr. Baker said, sometimes the students just get sick of listening to him talk and are happy to learn from someone new!