More than 200 high school students, parents, school counselors and instructors filled DMACC's Auto Technology Lab (Ankeny Campus, Building 13) Sept. 25 for the fall 2026 Discover DMACC Auto/Diesel Day, a hands-on event designed to introduce attendees to careers in the automotive, diesel and collision repair industries.
The event reached its in-person capacity, prompting organizers to encourage additional interested students to register for the next Discover DMACC Auto/Diesel Day on March 26, 2027.
The day began with an attention-grabbing demonstration of a Dodge Hellcat donated to the program by Chrysler (the one with a brand-new wrap designed by a DMACC student) Attendees gathered to watch and hear the more than 700-horsepower muscle car run on DMACC's chassis dynamometer before breaking into smaller groups for interactive sessions throughout the morning.
Participants rotated through five learning stations led by DMACC Automotive and Diesel Technology faculty members and local industry professionals. The sessions provided students with opportunities to explore educational pathways, hear directly from employers and gain insight into the growing demand for skilled technicians.
Survey responses from attendees highlighted several recurring themes, including strong earning potential, abundant career opportunities and the industry's need for qualified workers.
In response to the question, “What was your biggest takeaway from this event?” students said:
"There are a lot more jobs in the automotive industry then I thought.”
“How much opportunity for career growth there is in the automotive industry.”
“DMACC offers a large amount of classes in the broad area of auto mechanics.”
Many students also said they were surprised by the variety of careers available beyond traditional automotive repair, noting opportunities in diesel technology, collision repair, manufacturer-specific training programs and other specialized fields.
Discover DMACC Days are held each fall and spring to help prospective students explore career options, connect with industry employers and learn how DMACC programs prepare graduates for in-demand careers.
Discover DMACC Manufacturing & Engineering and Discover DMACC Trades events scheduled for the fall semester have reached registration capacity.
If you’re interested in attending, stay tuned for the Spring 2027 semester dates and/or contact Taylor Reth, METT (Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades, and Transportation) Coordinator at tmreth@dmacc.edu.
To learn more about Discover DMACC Days, visit: https://www.dmacc.edu/workbasedlearning/events.html