Have you ever been to a heavy duty truck mechanic shop? No? Well neither had I, that is until now. For take your kid to work day, instead of going with either my mom or dad, I decided to go with my aunt and uncle to their company. Coast PowerTrain is a heavy duty truck mechanic shop, and I got to spend the day shadowing my aunt as she did her daily routine.
She picked me up at 7am to drive to New Westminster, where its located. We started by getting me situated in my aunts office, then she took me on a mini tour which ended by the coffee machine. After that, I got started on my first job, moving old files and statements into the storage room. It was a tedious task, but it gave me an opportunity to learn more about the company and its history. The files were stacked high, filled with decades worth of information and transactions.
Once I had finished moving the old files, it was time for my second job – filing the new purchase files. This task was much more organized and straightforward. I was given a list of files to locate and sort through, making sure each document found its rightful place. It felt satisfying to bring order to the chaos, knowing that these files would be easily accessible for future reference.
With my assigned tasks completed, I decided to take some time to explore the mechanic side of Coast Powertrain. As I walked through the bustling workshop, the sound of tools and machinery filled the air. I saw a team of skilled mechanics working diligently on various vehicles, from buses to concrete trucks. They were engrossed in their work, fixing engines, replacing parts, and ensuring that each vehicle was in top condition.
After spending some time in the mechanic side, I continued exploring the rest of the facility. I stumbled upon the shipping department, a bustling hub of activity. Boxes and packages were being labeled, organized, and loaded onto trucks for delivery. My uncle, the general manager, was overseeing the operations, making sure everything was running efficiently. Feeling a sense of accomplishment from my day’s activities, I decided to head back to my aunt’s office for lunch.
Once lunch was finished, I was given my last task of the day, inventory. I got suited up in a work jacket, shown the basics, and I was on my way. I headed upstairs to the smaller parts, and went row by row. It was a big job, taking up several hours to finish it all. But once I was done, I was satisfied with my efforts. Then at 4:30pm, it was time to head out for the day.
I got to see what it’s like to run a company, and let me tell you, it’s no easy job. While I wasn’t working, I was watching my aunt send out hundreds of emails, do payroll, taxes, alongside many other things. She was the controller, the glue that held that company together, and she was handling that pressure with ease. I know that I will never be a mechanic or anything in that, but I have a newfound respect for the people who are, who help change the transportation industries and systems for the better.