Andrew Mercer: A career fueled by pride and purpose

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Sometimes, the best career advice comes from an unexpected conversation. For Schneider Senior Diesel Technician Andrew Mercer, that moment happened at a truck stop, where a casual chat with a fellow diesel technician changed the course of his professional life.  

Here’s how that advice led Andrew to pursue training and start a rewarding career that has spanned more than a decade at Schneider, growing from a student to an industry expert and mentor.

An unlikely spark

Andrew's journey to a career in diesel technology wasn't planned.    

"I was working at a truck stop and got talking with one of the techs working on trucks," Andrew said. "He mentioned [University Technical Institute] UTI and told me it was a good school to go to. That conversation really intrigued me."  

Andrew enrolled at the Houston campus in 2012 and completed the Diesel and Industrial Technology program. During his time at UTI, Andrew learned that succeeding in the diesel industry requires having both technical knowledge and soft skills, like being able to keep an open mind.  

"The guys you work with will teach you more just by watching them,” Andrew said. “Don't stay in that book all the time; use it as a reference but be ready to learn different ways to complete jobs safely."

Building a career at Schneider

UTI's industry connections opened doors for Andrew. Schneider recruiters regularly visited campus, and Andrew's instructors encouraged students to explore every opportunity.  

The main thing that drew Andrew to Schneider was the career growth opportunities.  

"Schneider is constantly training,” he said. “You're constantly getting better."

Andrew's career at Schneider demonstrates a perfect example of advancement opportunities in diesel technology. He started as a Trailer Technician at Schneider’s Edwardsville, Illinois, shop and worked his way up to Senior Diesel Technician.  

"It's really based on you,” Andrew said. “If you want to go and get it done you can. The sky's the limit. You can go as far as you want as fast as you want.”

Now, Andrew also takes the time to train the next generation of technicians at his shop. This move into a mentorship role wasn't a formal requirement, but a natural extension of his passion for helping others.

"I like helping people,” Andrew said. “When I can share what I've learned to make someone else better, they make me better too."

Beyond the career opportunities, it’s the culture that makes Schneider feel like home for Andrew.

“It's a family here, we all know each other,” Andrew said. “We all work together as a team. We work safely to go home at night, to succeed at a goal and then return home at night, happy that you know what we've done.”

Why choose diesel technology?

What keeps Andrew passionate about this industry? The satisfaction of solving complex problems.

"When you're working on a piece of equipment that doesn't work, somebody has looked at it three different times and you're able to go in there and you spend two hours on it and you fix it, there's a  pridefulness that you have," Andrew said. "It kind of shakes you to the bone.”

This pride extends beyond the technical achievement. Andrew understands the real-world impact of his work. A repaired truck means a driver can make it home for their child's birthday or other important family moments.  

"It's something that drives pride in me," Andrew said. "It actually gives me goosebumps now just talking about it."

He also credited job security as a reason for students to choose this career path.

"There's longevity in this career,” Andrew said. “You're always going to have trucks on the road, and they'll always need qualified technicians."

Advice for aspiring technicians  

Andrew’s advice for those considering a diesel technician career? Be prepared to adapt constantly as the diesel industry continues to advance.

“It's not a stagnant field where you just learn one thing and you’re good to go,” Andrew said. “You’re constantly learning something new. It’s what keeps me wanting to work on trucks.”