4 Key Attributes Bus And Truck Mechanics And Diesel Engine Specialists Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Michael Davis

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

The core tasks that bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are likely to carry out include:

Use handtools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, and precision instruments, as well as power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, and jacks and hoists.
Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Having a strong preference for realistic work environments. Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 100%

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 93.6%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 87.4%

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.6%