When he looks back on it, Hector Alberto admits he didn’t see himself working on cars for a living.

The 35-year-old just knew that he would at some point have to find something that he could consider a career.

He had been working at a car dealership prepping vehicles that had been sold.

“I wasn’t sure on what I wanted to study, but I knew it was time to find a career, not a job,” Alberto said. “When I put in my two weeks [notice], my boss asked me if I would be interested in trying to work in the mechanic shop that was part of the dealership. I’ve never worked on cars, but I thought why not try.”

That effort seems to have paid off for Alberto, who studied at Camosun’s automotive technician program. “It was a hard beginning but I’m glad I stuck with it,” he said. “Now I’ve been a journeyman for over two years and have my red seal.”

Alberto is working at Jim Pattison Toyota in Victoria full-time as a technician – the same dealership he started with cleaning cars.

“I’m living what I envisioned when I first started the course,” said Alberto. “Camosun (camosun.ca) has given me the knowledge and capability to do my job well and I am very thankful for having a great teacher."

Learn more about B.C. post-secondary student success stories.