From hometown to automotive career: Noah George’s transformative journey at CFCC

Noah George made a bold decision to leave his hometown in Indiana and relocate to Wilmington to pursue his passion for automotive customizing. His love for cars fueled his determination to find a school that could provide him with the necessary training.

Among the states that offered the program he sought, Noah found the CFCC campus and Wilmington weather to be most appealing. The pleasant climate, tuition affordability, and CFCC’s program offering made Wilmington the perfect destination for him to hone his skills and immerse himself in the world of automotive customization.

As Noah begins the third semester in the Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program at CFCC, he can proudly say that he is almost finished with his training. Equipped with the knowledge and hands-on experience gained at CFCC, he is now eager to embark on his career and start searching for employment.

Fortunately, CFCC offers excellent resources for job placement, ensuring that graduates like Noah have access to a wide range of opportunities in the industry. The training he received at CFCC placed him on a fast track to job advancement, far exceeding what he could have achieved through on-the-job training alone.

Moreover, the valuable I-CAR certification he earned during his time at CFCC will give him a competitive edge in the job market. With the median income for Automotive Body Repairers standing at $47,270 per year , it is no wonder that more and more employers are actively recruiting graduates from trade school and community college programs like the one offered at CFCC.

In a recent interview, Noah shared his journey and experience at CFCC and how it shaped his career aspirations.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO ENROLL AT CFCC? WHY DID IT MAKE SENSE FOR YOU?

Initially, I planned on training in Automotive Customizing Technology. I wanted to do more aftermarket work on cars. So, my Dad and I looked at some colleges in the US, and we found four that offered that program. My location choices were either Colorado, Wyoming, Ohio, or North Carolina. I wanted to get out of the cold. That made CFCC the best choice for me.

Plus, I’m not going to leave here with 50K worth of student debt. Even though I’m paying out-of-state tuition, it’s still affordable.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE THIS CAREER PATH?

I always liked cars as a kid. At the little book fairs in elementary school, I would always buy car posters and that type of stuff. Then, once I got into high school, I started the mechanics program. I enjoyed working on the cars, but I didn’t want to do all the engine work. I wasn’t really that interested in it. I wanted to do more body work because I like working on the outside of the car, making it look pretty versus making the engine go super-fast.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY?

I am from Valparaiso, Indiana, which is a small city not far from Chicago and Lake Michigan.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CFCC INCLUDING YOUR MAJOR, ANY ACHIEVEMENTS, PARTICIPATION IN STUDENT ACTIVITIES, ETC.?

So far, it’s been great. After being here for about a semester, I switched over to Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology. My friend, Russ, and I were in the customizing program. Russ was talking about switching over and I asked him why. He started telling me what Ed Hernandez, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program director, told him about getting a job. Getting into the workforce from Collision and Repair Finishing would be faster than trying to build my own clientele with customizing. He told us we could do customizing on the side, and then gradually build on that. That made sense to me.

I’ve learned a lot – from the start of the process to the end of the process. I’ve learned what happens in a shop.

We’ve gone through the entire process, and now, we’re getting more efficient at it. We’re not painting an entire car just yet, but we’re removing dents from hoods, sanding, and priming, which is your base coat before painting. Then, we apply the clear coat that we learned about, which is your protection from the sun as well as scratch protection from little rocks in the road and stuff like that.

We’re learning more about taping cars and getting better at that. Taping helps prevent overspraying so you’re not spending extra time cleaning and fixing mistakes. Time is money.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?

I will be looking for a job down here. I want to stay in the Wilmington area for a while and get a few years of work experience. Then, I’ll think about looking around the country for other opportunities. I have been earning my I-CAR certification while I’ve been in the program. I can take that certification anywhere in the US.

HOW HAS CFCC HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR NEXT STEP?

Ed has some great connections around here, and he can get them to come to the shop and talk to us. He helps us find jobs, and he continues looking out for us even after we are hired.

For instance, there was one student who was not in the right work environment. The shop where he worked wasn’t teaching him the right stuff and not treating him very well. So, Ed helped him find another shop where he could work. He is doing much better.

So in addition to teaching us all the techniques and skills, and getting the certification with the I-CAR, Ed is also helping with job placement.

AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEBODY WHO’S CONSIDERING COMING TO SEE CFCC?

Visit here. Come look at the program because it’s not your typical campus, you’re not going to live in dorms. You’re going to have to get an apartment and kind of live on your own a little bit. So you got to prepare for that. Otherwise, it’s perfect.

I like the fact that most of the degrees here aren’t over two years. You can get into the workforce if you want to do that quickly. I know a lot of people come here and then transfer to UNCW. They only have to take one or two years there to complete their bachelor’s degree.

TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY

Noah George’s journey at CFCC has been transformative. With his passion for automotive customizing and a strong determination, Noah’s choice to enroll at CFCC has paid off immensely. As he nears completion of his training in the Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program, Noah is equipped with invaluable knowledge and experience. CFCC’s job placement resources, combined with the I-CAR certification, have positioned him for a successful career in the thriving automotive industry.

Learn more about CFCC’s Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program .