Okay, James Dean: We've seen the car and the slick hairstyle...but when that jalopy breaks down are you prepared to get that tight, white t-shirt dirty and look under the hood? Do you have what it takes?

Well, if you like to work with your hands, think cars are cool, and would like to spend most of your time underneath cars that have been lifted towards the ceiling, then you should make for a fine auto mechanic!

And for the ladies, we meant to say "Jane Dean." Women have been fixing cars since 1917, so don't let those boys talk you out of it. (Source)

As a mechanic, you get to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and trucks all day long. Sure, most of us know how to change a flat, but we don't all know how to disassemble and reassemble a carburetor. 

You'll spend most of your days doing the everyday maintenance stuff: tune-ups, oil changes, rotating tires, replacing worn or broken parts, and checking cars with fancy computerized "diagnostic equipment" to make sure things are working properly. Then you'll explain what's going on to the clueless people whose car you're saving. You are essentially a car doctor, and you don't even need an MD.

It's nice if you aren't a huge fan of school, not so nice if you are looking to make a ton of cash. Auto mechanics usually make around $36,000 a year (source).

…and you will need at least some training and education. You'll need a high school education and to complete a technical training course. Associate's degrees and some extra certifications are often sought after too. As far as personal attributes, you'll need manual dexterity, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, some basic math and computer skills, customer service, reading, and general time-management skills.

It's only a matter of time before all parts become invisible, just like Wonder Woman's car. You'll have to be ready for that. (Source)

You may be wondering why someone would need to go to school for this sort of thing. Well, have you seen cars today? There are cameras in the back. They can even tell you when you are about to hit another car. The future is here, man. Soon hybrids and electric cars are going to be replaced with garbage-fueled time-traveling DeLoreans. As a car mechanic, you have to keep up with the tech so you can fix it when it breaks down. Technology never rests, and neither will that beautiful brain of yours.

The more training and certifications you get, the more room there will be to grow. You'll start out at a car shop as a trainee and after a couple years there, you can step up to being a full employee. If you start getting certifications, you can specialize in certain car repairs (brakes, steering, axles, whatever your heart desires).

If you get certified in all eight categories, you become the big kahuna, master of not only your domain, but all domains. You'll be a master service technician. This will give you more responsibilities in the shop, allow you to take more clients (and therefore get more commission), and you can start training the wee ones who come in after you. And, if you want to be self-employed, it will be a whole lot easier if you have "mastered" all repairs.

The days will be long. Car repair doesn't stop and you don't get paid in diamonds. You either get an hourly pay or commission, and when your pay depends on how much overtime you put in or how many jobs you do, you'll be spending a lot of time at the shop. It's hard work and it's long work. But, on the bright side, when your car breaks down, you don't even have to take it to the shop.

• More