LCTI alumnus shares wisdom with Auto Technology students

LCTI alumnus Stephen Geneczko speaks to LCTI's Auto Technology students about working in the automotive industry.

LCTI alumnus Stephen Geneczko speaks to LCTI’s Auto Technology students about working in the automotive industry.

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. | Lehigh Career & Technical Institute alumnus Stephen Geneczko stopped by the Auto Technology lab Monday to share his wisdom with current students.

Geneczko completed LCTI’s Auto Tech program in 2009 and continued his education at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Today, he is the branch manager at Metro Fuel Injection & Diesel Service Center in Upper Macungie Township.

Geneczko described the job as challenging and financially rewarding. “In this field, you have the opportunity to make a lot of money…but it’s not going to be handed to you. You have to work for it.”

He and his colleagues do a little bit of everything at Metro, Geneczko said. “You name it — if it has to do with engines, we do it.”

Studying at LCTI prepared him to excel in college and laid the foundation for his career success. It was under the tutelage of instructors Mike Bernadyn, Kevin Ferenchak and Rich Sikora that Geneczko first learned the value of keeping his work space clean and organized.

Slovenly, disorganized auto technicians are error-prone. Techs who make too many mistakes are relegated to boring tasks, like changing tires, and eventually find themselves out of a job, he said.

Of course, everyone makes mistakes. Geneczko said maintaining a positive, attitude after an error is almost as important as avoiding them because employers pay attention to how you bounce back.

“The only thing you can do with a mistake is learn from it and make sure that it never happens again,” he explained.

In addition to strong organization skills and a positive attitude, employers look for techs who are good at solving problems, Geneczko said. His ability to think outside the box, a skill he began developing at LCTI, helped him rise through the ranks at work.

Geneczko urged students to stay focused and capitalize on their time with the instructors at LCTI.

“What these instructors have to tell you and teach you is priceless,” he said. “You have a hell of an opportunity here. Take advantage of it.”

Learn more about how the Auto Technology program prepares students for success in college and their careers.

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