MSJC Automotive Student Turns Hobby into Career
10/27/2022
They say do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life. That is proving to be true for Mt San Jacinto College student Alexander Vest.
The San Jacinto resident is an Automotive Technology student at MSJC and is expected to graduate in 2023.
Vest is now a certified Master Automobile Technician. He works full-time at his father's auto repair shop, Diversified Automotive, in Murrieta while continuing to work towards his associate degree.
“My passion started in high school when my dad purchased a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon that was in need of a new motor,” Vest said.
He took on the challenge of repairing the car, which sparked an interest in automotive repairs. Working on vehicles quickly became his weekend hobby as he found himself fixing family and friends' cars at his home.
When he enrolled at MSJC, he wasn't anticipating taking any Automotive Technology course. It wasn't until his second year that he became involved in the program.
This summer he passed all eight National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence exams, earning his Master Automobile Technician certification.
“I'm very lucky that I was able to turn my hobby into a full-time job,” Vest said.
Once he graduates from MSJC, Vest said he would be interested in taking some business courses so he can learn more about management with the goal of eventually taking over the family's auto repair business.