"I came into the program with lots of interest, but virtually no experience. By the time I completed the program and started work, I felt as competent as anyone in the field."

Tim excelled in the program through hard work. In fact, he even read service manuals in his spare time. A motivated student, he appreciated and respected the skill and dedication of professor Tom Mayer. "If you wanted to learn, he could teach you. He was current and taught in detail. Some instructors gloss over the details, but Tom never glossed over any area. He explained each topic area thoroughly."

For Tim, the most valuable aspect of the instruction was the hands-on work. "Most anyone will tell you that you can know the material, but applying it successfully is a different story. The instructors always prepared plenty of exercises to increase our skill level."

In addition to the instruction, Tim appreciated the state-of-the-art technology and equipment used in the program. "I looked at an automotive school in Virginia Beach, but it was about $8,000 per year, and I was not at all impressed with the facilities, equipment, or the vehicles I saw. Blue Ridge was much more affordable, the equipment was current, and the program used newer model vehicles. The College did not mind investing in the newest equipment the field had to offer. We worked with the most recent computer programs, scan tools, and lab scopes - everything we needed to work on current model vehicles with driveability problems."

Tim remembers one occasion in which the instructors heard about a new battery tester not yet on the market and obtained one for the students to use. "They got a battery tester still in the experimental stages. To give you an idea of how ahead of the game they were, General Motors just this year came out with a similar one."

The sophistication of the equipment and instruction at BRCC demonstrated to Tim that his chosen field was a highly technical one. "It became evident to me at Blue Ridge that the technology was very sophisticated and that I had better work hard to be competent and employable."

Now a Chevrolet-certified master technician employed at Baugher Chevrolet/Buick in Waynesboro, Tim feels his education at Blue Ridge was comparable to the training he currently receives at the General Motors factory schools. "The factory schools have the brand new cars, but the instruction that I received at BRCC is very similar to what I receive today. I feel like my training at Blue Ridge prepared me well for the continuing education classes I take at the factory schools. In fact, the electronics training I received at BRCC qualified me to receive credit from GM for its week-long Specialized Electronics Training (SET)."

Tim enjoys electronic system diagnostics in addition to the driveability work he specializes in. "This work is my favorite because it's challenging and you have to use your head. My skill levels were also a little higher than some of the men on my first team so I saw more of that type of work from the start."

Unlike his first experience job hunting, Tim secured a position with Baugher within weeks of his May 1994 graduation. Four years later, Bill Burke, service and parts director at the dealership, wishes he had a shop "full of Tims." "Tim is the only Chevrolet-certified master technician we have. He has a special aptitude for taking knowledge and putting it to practical use. He is also a noteworthy individual with a great attitude. We could not do without him."

Tim's immediate future includes continuing to work at Baugher, but he does entertain dreams of one day having his own business. "I'll stay with the dealership until I've gained knowledge back enough years to open my own place. It will be a challenge to keep up with the technology, but it is something I'd like to try."