Program: Automotive Service Technology
Robert Boyle always had an interest in all things mechanical.
“Initially it started with repairing outdoor power equipment that people would leave at the curb,” he said. “Attending car shows led to a love for full-size GM sedans and wagons. I wanted to get my own project car before I had a license and used the proceeds of fixing lawnmowers to buy a 1973 Buick Electra 225 Limited with a bad timing chain. I dived in head first and fell in love with the satisfaction of taking something broken and bringing it back to life. As things progressed, I saw the opportunity to improve the lives around me by being upfront, honest and reliable when it came to making repairs.”
After starting at a four-year school and realizing it was not for him, Boyle decided to pursue his passion at College of DuPage. The Technical Education Center had just opened, which included a new automotive lab.
“I had my first two automotive classes that fall and could not get enough of the program,” he said. “I tried to take as many classes as possible while also completing the required general education classes. The flexibility of the online format for my gen eds meant I could take more of the automotive classes I was craving. I had instructors who were interested in seeing us succeed through advising, scholarship opportunities and challenging us in the classroom with the newest technology.”
While attending COD, Boyle was hired as a seasonal employee for the Fleet Services division of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. He started off by washing vehicles and running for occasional parts. When one of the full-time technicians took leave due to an injury, Boyle was asked to help with the preventative maintenance schedule for two weeks. It turned into more than two years and provided him with a tremendous amount of hands-on experience working on cars, trucks, alternative-fueled vehicles and construction equipment.
I hope that I provide students with not only the skills to diagnose any problem on any vehicle but also the confidence to tackle said problems.
Robert Boyle
After completing his degree at COD, Boyle transferred to Southern Illinois University for his bachelor’s degree and was hired by Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles as a technical trainer before he even graduated. Later he returned to work for the Forest Preserve as a full-time technician and created an in-house inspection and maintenance program for its CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) trucks, built hybrid Ford F-150 squad cars for the Law Enforcement Department, initiated a warranty agreement with Ford Motor Company so it would reimburse the county for warranty work performed on their products, and built an onboarding program to train COD students in the field.
He never attended school thinking he would become a teacher, but once he was exposed to teaching, he knew the classroom was where he could make the biggest impact.
“As instructors, we have a unique chance to help students grow their knowledge, confidence and critical thinking skills in the automotive field,” he said. “I hope that I provide students with not only the skills to diagnose any problem on any vehicle but also the confidence to tackle said problems. I love seeing students’ confidence and curiosity grow when they make the connection of how a certain system or process works. Hopefully they too can see their potential and impact within the industry as well as how they can positively change their own lives through learning new skills and technologies.”
Boyle hopes he can inspire his students the same way his COD instructors did.
“I had the privilege of learning manual transmissions with the late Tom Robertson,” he said. “Tom had a way of delivering the content that made you not only want to answer the question but also be the first person to answer it correctly. He had a quiet way of affirming that you were completing tasks in class correctly but would still challenge you to learn the ‘why.’ Why does this manufacturer run a test differently? Why does the part fail in that manner?
“My other inspiration is my family. I unfortunately lost my father at a very young and impressionable age, 12, and I had to grow up faster than my peers. I use that as a motivator instead of a crutch. I want to continue to make my family proud and do the most good for those I interact with—donating time, lending assistance for projects, advising, supporting those around me and continuing to make my whole family proud of the impact I can make.”
Learn more about the Automotive Service Technology program at College of DuPage