Program: Automotive Service Technology
When he was a senior in high school, Dan Hyer began working at a gas station and was introduced to an automotive class.
“Ever since I was young, I have always have been interested in taking something apart, finding out how it works and putting it back together,” he said. “Once I began taking the class, I found that I had a strong desire to want to repair things that were not working properly. I get a personal reward every time I am able to repair a vehicle and return it to a customer in good working condition.”
Hyer fully developed his knowledge of the automotive repair industry while working at an independent automotive repair shop, where his work included oil changes, check-engine-light diagnosis and any other repairs needed on a vehicle.
I hope and wish for my students to take the information I have presented and apply it to the real world.
Dan Hyer
Believing he could help young technicians who were starting out, he decided to share his knowledge and passion through teaching, which led him to College of DuPage.
“With my knowledge and experience, I have the ability to train quality technicians into better ones to be successful in the field,” he said. “I hope and wish for my students to take the information I have presented and apply it to the real world. I want them to be able to one day say, ‘I remember Dan telling me this at COD.’ I also hope they can learn from the real-life stories I have told to help them become better technicians. I tell all of my students, ‘My goal is to teach you three things: how the system works or the theory, what the manufacturer wants you to do to repair the vehicle, and what happens in the field.’”
Hyer also hopes to inspire his student much the way his father, grandfather and college instructor Rolly Aiken inspired him.
“My father and my grandfather were always working on their cars and any mechanical equipment, and I wanted to watch and help whenever I could,” he said. “I have always felt that I was given the gift of a mechanical mind, this coming from my father and grandfather. I also have to say that Rolly Aiken pushed and challenged me during my time in college. He always pointed out where I made mistakes and would show how I could avoid the same mistake in the future. He would answer any question I had and made sure that I understood what he was telling me.”
Learn more about the Automotive Service Technology program at College of DuPage