Jose Carias
Insurance Claim Specialist
State Farm

What is your position in the industry?

I am a claim specialist with the special investigative unit, and a part time I-CAR instructor.

Tell us about yourself. What made you decide to become a service professional?

My wife. Back in 1990 my wife told me that I was too smart not to study and take the ASE tests. And the rest is history.

Where/How did you get your training to get the knowledge you have today?

INFOP technical school - Honduras
Toyota - Japan/Honduras central America division
Toyota pro-mechanic USA
Nissan master technician - Nissan USA
US Navy Seabees - SCWS
I-CAR USA Pro level 3 in all areas
Accredited master collision-repair estimator (AMCE)
Insurance appraiser school
P&C Claims school USA
Special investigator USA

How long have you worked as a service professional?

32 years

What role has being ASE Certified played in your journey?

ASE certification helped me became a Professional and opened other doors within the automobile industry.

What ASE Certifications do you currently hold?

Mater automobile technician and Master collision technician.

What are some of the top challenges you do/did face as a service professional and how do/did you overcome them?

English is my second language and the first test was very hard. I prepared for each test, learned the terminology and I learned to read each question very carefully.

Do you have any advice for today’s students who might be thinking about entering the automotive industry or becoming a service professional?

Go for it, take the ASE test and if you fail don't give up try again.

What do you like most about being an automotive service professional?

Being a subject matter expert and a resource is a privilege. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is power only when you take what you have learned, apply it and be able to influence others to do what is right for them.

Thank you ASE!

I just want to say that I am not boasting about my achievements. I became ASE Master Automobile Technician in 1994 and back then I told myself that master collision is next. It only took me 20 years to achieve this goal and that was because I was afraid to take the most difficult test ever, B2 Refinish. If you ask a car painter, they know how difficult this test really is. I can only tell you that my success is only by the grace of God and you have to have faith in yourself.