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June 23

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Sean Gagnon: Professional Problem Solver

"Essentially, being a technician, you’re a professional problem solver."

Sean started on bicycles. He took apart and modified them around in order to add his unique style. From these beginnings his curiosity about all things mechanical grew. In high school, he took a job at Firestone doing routine maintenance like oil changes and rotating tires.

Sean Gagnon is a UTI graduate and now back at UTI as an instructor. He chose to attend UTI for his education because it offered him the best option in gaining technical knowledge. Sean also appreciated the professionalism they instilled in him.

Even 10 years into his career, Sean looks back at instructors he had when he was a student. “I wanted to be on the other side of that and put my stamp on the new generation of technicians.”

When Sean finished at UTI he didn’t have a concrete plan. His options were; he could continue working at Firestone or he could return to UTI to complete an MSAT program. He decided to go through the VOLVO Manufacturer Specific Advanced Training class. He feels that it really opened up opportunities for him as a technician.1

Through connections he made at UTI and his own hard work, he eventually landed a job as an instructor. An employee friend of Sean’s raved about how wonderful it was to work there, and that sentiment paralleled what Sean remembered of the professors from his days as a student.

“I love the challenge of working on cars,” he says. “Essentially, being a technician, you’re a professional problem solver,” he adds.

Sean says students can sometimes put too much pressure on themselves. They ask questions like “Do we need to know all this when we graduate?” To answer that, he leans on his personal experience. What you do with your hands every day, you’ll retain. The things you don’t do as frequently may fall by the wayside.

Sean has many hobbies — snowboarding, brewing his own beer, playing the drums and traveling — but admits even outside of work he still loves working on cars.

He inherited a 1976 Camaro from his aunt who bought it brand new from a Chevy dealership in Illinois. He was only 13 at the time, so couldn’t even drive yet, but asked his mom every day if he could have it when he got his license at 16. And today he spends his free time working on it.

He loves old cars — the sound, the feel, what shifting gears feels like. He likes motorcycles, too. Anything with an engine and wheels. He admits that he’s not picky about whether it’s an import or domestic, or the make and model. “A nice car is a nice car,” he says. He pops the hood to show what he’s done to his Camaro. “The plan with this car was just to create something that was fun to drive. It doesn’t have to have the most horsepower.”

Sean has made his love of cars into his career. There’s not a moment in his day, whether instructing or tinkering under the hood in his free time, when he’s not doing exactly what he wants to do. Finding a career that doesn’t feel like a job, but instead, is a way of life, is something that we all can aspire to.


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1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.6) UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on personal credentials and economic factors. Work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer and their compensation programs affect wages. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.8) Does not include time required to complete a qualifying prerequisite program such as UTI’s 51-week Automotive Technology program.10) Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.11) See program details for eligibility requirements and conditions that may apply.18) UTI now offers all of its automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine technician training in a blended-learning format consisting of online lecture courses along with in-person, hands-on lab training.39) Refresher training available to graduates only if the course is still available and space is available. Students are responsible for any other costs such as lab fees associated with the course.77) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI prepares graduates for entry-level careers using the provided training. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than those listed.79) UTI aviation maintenance programs prepare graduates to apply and test for FAA mechanic certification. Graduates who don’t obtain certification may have fewer career opportunities. Some graduates get jobs in aviation or related industries other than as aviation maintenance technicians. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment, salary or FAA certification.128) UTI will pay for certain third-party FAA certification exam fees for qualifying students. See catalog for details and requirements.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

*Registration Fee Waiver will apply to any student who enrolls by July 31, 2025, with a start date between March 31, 2025, and September 25, 2025.

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