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Technicians take up careers in the automotive industry for many different reasons. For some, it’s a passion for hands-on work and understanding what goes on under the hood. For others, it’s about carrying on a family legacy that’s been passed down from generation to generation.
For UTI graduate Cainon Miskell, it started with a love for one of the most iconic brands in the industry: Lamborghini. While a career working for this top-tier brand is only a dream for many, Cainon was able to make it a reality.
So, how did he do it? Keep reading to learn about Cainon’s story, including how he got to where he is today and his advice for aspiring technicians.
Key Points:
- Cainon Miskell, a Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduate, pursued his dream of working for Lamborghini, driven by a lifelong passion for cars and the iconic brand itself. His journey began in a small town in Illinois and led him to enroll at UTI in Orlando, Florida, to train as a technician.
- After completing his core automotive training at UTI, Cainon specialized further through a manufacturer-specific training program, which significantly boosted his employability.1 This specialized training helped him secure a job at a Nissan dealership in Miami shortly after graduation, despite having no industry experience.6
- Cainon's ambition to work for Lamborghini remained strong, and with persistence and the help of UTI's Career Services team, he landed a job at Lamborghini Palm Beach. His dedication was evident as he initially commuted over 200 miles daily until he could relocate closer to work.
- Working at Lamborghini Palm Beach for over four years, Cainon has grown from performing basic tasks to handling more complex projects like engine removals. He values the teamwork and camaraderie among fellow UTI graduates at the dealership, highlighting the shop's supportive and skilled environment.
- For aspiring technicians aiming to work with luxury brands like Lamborghini, Cainon and his colleagues emphasize the importance of hard work, persistence, attention to detail, and investing in specialized education. These elements are crucial for advancing in the high-performance automotive industry.
Cainon grew up in a small town in Illinois, but he always had big dreams for the future. From a young age, he had an interest in cars and was drawn to anything that went fast. Like many car enthusiasts, he grew up collecting Hot Wheels and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on.
“I’ve always been fascinated with cars — how they work and what makes them tick,” Cainon shares.
After high school, Cainon started working in manufacturing. While he was successful, he wasn’t fulfilled. He began to realize that if he wanted to reach his full potential, he needed to branch out and consider opportunities beyond what was available in his hometown.
One day, Cainon’s friend called and asked what he thought about moving to Florida. Cainon began researching schools in the area and came across Universal Technical Institute in Orlando. He was drawn to the Automotive Technology program as well as the employment resources UTI makes available to students, and eventually decided to enroll and train for a career as a technician.
A short time later, Cainon packed his bags and made the move to the Sunshine State. His manufacturing job transferred to Florida, which allowed him to continue working while he went to school. His schedule was busy, but he knew this was what he needed to do to get to where he wanted to be.
While Cainon had a basic knowledge of cars before attending UTI, he knew there was so much more to learn. In the beginning, he just wanted to learn how to work on cars, but he didn’t stop there.
“As I kept learning, my ambitions grew more and more,” Cainon shares.
During the program, Cainon began thinking about the next steps and where he wanted to end up in his career. After completing his core automotive training, he decided to continue with one of UTI’s manufacturer-specific training programs. According to him, this is what took his training to the next level.
“It was more hands-on and specific to the brand. It really helped out a lot,” he says.18
Within three weeks of graduating, Cainon landed a job at a Nissan dealership in Miami. While he was fresh out of school and didn’t have industry experience, he beat out three other experienced candidates. Cainon credits this to his specialized training since his employer was drawn to the fact that he was already familiar with some of the tools and technology used in the shop.
Cainon quickly found success working in the Nissan dealership. Within just a few months, his employer was already talking about him moving up the ranks.
While Cainon enjoyed what he was doing, he still had a specific brand on his mind, the brand he’d loved ever since he was 10: Lamborghini. So, he started his search for Lamborghini technician jobs.
He contacted his Career Services representative at UTI to let him know he was interested in any opportunities that arose with the brand. He knew they were rare, so he needed to be persistent in his search.
Several months later, Cainon received a call from his Career Services rep. There was an opportunity with a Lamborghini dealership in Florida, but there was a catch — it was in Palm Beach. Cainon was living in Homestead at the time, which is about 110 miles away.
Despite the long drive, Cainon went for it and applied for the role. He was committed to making it work, as this was possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
After applying and interviewing, Cainon received the news that he had gotten the job at Lamborghini Palm Beach. During his first week, he drove more than 200 miles round-trip every day for work, meaning he logged more than 1,000 total miles!
Luckily, Cainon didn’t have to make the drive for long. He found a place to live just 10 miles from work, so he moved to Palm Beach.
Cainon has worked for Lamborghini Palm Beach for more than four years now, and he still has the same excitement as he did on his first day on the job.
“It’s not a normal dealership. I come in and see everything from a Porsche GT3 to a Lamborghini Urus, McLaren Senna and Ferrari 488,” he shares.
While working on luxury vehicles was intimidating at first, Cainon has become more and more confident in his skills. “At the end of the day, they’re all vehicles that work the same way,” he says.
As a beginner tech, Cainon did everything from safety checks to oil changes. As he gained more experience, he started taking on more complex projects, like removing engines. According to him, every day in the shop brings something new.
Cainon isn’t the only UTI grad working at Lamborghini Palm Beach. His service manager, Chris, and shop foreman, Brian, are both UTI grads.6 And the shop recently hired a new technician who is also a UTI grad.
Working alongside other grads has helped Cainon feel at home, and he’s enjoyed being on a team with others who come from a similar background. “We’re a pro-UTI shop,” he says.
Chris graduated from UTI’s Illinois campus, now located in Lisle, and like Cainon, took a specialized training program. He’s been in the automotive industry for more than 20 years and worked his way up from detailing cars to being a service manager for one of the most prestigious brands in the world.
“I was very impressed with the manufacturer program for giving me brand-specific knowledge and learning how to operate their scan tools and read wiring diagrams to allow proper troubleshooting, with the ultimate end goal of repairing the vehicle right the first time,” Chris shares. “The three most important things I received during the entire program are knowledge, confidence and a career in the automotive industry.”1
So, what’s the best advice for those who aspire to work for a luxury manufacturer like Lamborghini? For Cainon, it all comes down to hard work and persistence. His path to getting where he is today wasn’t always easy — but he stuck with it and took a leap of faith, and things have worked out.
According to Cainon’s shop foreman, Brian, it’s important to take pride in your work. “At this level, it requires more attention to detail, and you need to care more. About the car, the client, and the whole experience. Quality work will take you far.”
Additionally, for both Cainon and Brian, investing in your education and taking a manufacturer-specific program can help you get ahead in the industry.6
“I think the specialized programs help you get familiar with the product before going into a dealer. This way you have some initial brand experience and knowledge,” Brian shares. “It for sure can help you get ahead. You have the upper hand on the next guy applying for the same job who doesn’t have specific training.”
For Chris, attitude is everything. “Being in a luxury brand with Lamborghini or any other high-end manufacturer, there is a higher level of expectations we have to offer our clients,” he shares. “Having a great attitude in this industry and being willing to take on anything that comes your way is what it takes to succeed.”
Cainon has already accomplished much in his career, and he’s just getting started. Like any good technician, he hopes to continue learning and get better every day. In five to 10 years, he hopes to still be working for Lamborghini and advancing his knowledge even more.
“Lamborghini will always have a spot in my heart,” he says. “It’s a blessing to wake up every day and deal with cars many people only dream of driving.”
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Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.