Finding His Hands-On Path in Automotive Technology
For Braddick Singleton, the traditional classroom setup was always a challenge. Like many students who think with their hands first and textbooks second, he struggled to stay engaged sitting through lectures. But at New Castle School of Trades, Braddick discovered what learning could really look like when you’re working on what you love.
Braddick recently shared his experience in the Automotive Technology program and how NCST gave him the opportunity to turn his passion for cars into a real career path.
From Shadow Day to Mechanic Student
Braddick’s journey to NCST actually started while he was still in high school. He visited the school and got a glimpse of what hands-on training really meant.
“I came to the school to shadow and learned a bunch of stuff that I didn’t know about already,” Braddick explained. “It’s hard for me to sit in the classroom for an extended period of time and really take in all the information, compared to being able to get my hands on it.”
That visit stuck with him. After graduating from high school, Braddick made the decision to enroll at NCST and dive straight into automotive work. While he was a little nervous at first, he quickly realized he’d made the right choice to train as an auto mechanic.
Learning the Craft with Instructors Who Care
One of the things that stands out most to Braddick about his time at NCST is the quality of the people. The instructors aren’t just there to teach; they’re invested in each student’s success.
“All of my instructors are great people. You can tell they care for your success, and that means a lot to me as a student,” Braddick said. “It almost excels my growth, knowing that they care for mine.”
That kind of support makes all the difference when you’re learning a skilled trade. At NCST, instructors bring real-world experience into the shop, and they understand that every student learns differently. For students like Braddick who thrive in hands-on environments, that personalized attention accelerates their development.
Building Friendships and Finding Your Future
Beyond the technical skills, Braddick also found a community. Over his first few quarters, he’s connected with classmates who share his passion for automotive work and built friendships that will last beyond graduation.
“I’ve met a lot of great people, and I don’t regret anything here,” Braddick shared. “I’ve made a lot of great friends, and it’s been a great time.”
But the real payoff is the career flexibility that comes with mastering automotive technology. Whether you want to work at a dealership, open your own shop, specialize in engine building, or restore classic cars, the skills you learn at NCST open doors across the industry.
“Just learning the craft of automotive, you can take it anywhere you want to go,” Braddick said. “You can open your own shop or take your own branch with building engines or restoring cars, whatever you want to do.”
Turned Passion for Cars into a Career as a Car Mechanic
Braddick’s story shows that you don’t need to force yourself into a learning style that doesn’t work for you. If you’re someone who learns best by doing, who gets excited about diagnosing problems and fixing things with your own two hands, then trade school might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Starting out in the Automotive Technology program, you don’t need to be an expert. As Braddick put it, “Even if you know absolutely nothing about cars, it’s a real opener for you to get into it and see what you have to do and see what it takes to start a career in this.”
In fact, Braddick has already recommended a few of his friends to NCST because he believes in the quality of training and the opportunities it provides.
Ready to work on what you love? If you’ve been looking for a way to turn your interest in cars into a stable, rewarding career, our Automotive Technology program can get you job-ready and working in the field faster than a four-year degree.