How Shawn Stewart Found His Lane at GTCC

Shawn Stewart’s path to the automotive industry was not a straight line, but that process of exploration ultimately helped him discover a career field that matched both his interests and ambitions.

When Shawn Stewart enrolled at Guilford Technical Community College, he was still figuring out what direction felt right for his future.

Now, the GTCC student is preparing to enter the automotive industry after earning statewide recognition at the SkillsUSA automotive estimating competition.

Stewart, who is studying automotive collision repair at GTCC, earned second place in automotive estimating at the SkillsUSA state championships, a premier competition for career and technical education students, this past spring. He had been studying for approximately one month. Many of the competitors he faced had been preparing for a year or more.

“I wanted first place,” Stewart said. “But I am still proud of how I did. I did very well for the amount of time I had to prepare.”

Stewart’s path to the automotive industry was not a straight line, but that process of exploration ultimately helped him discover a career field that matched both his interests and ambitions.

Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Stewart moved to North Carolina because of family. Like many students, he entered adulthood still trying to determine what direction felt right for his future.

“At first, I was not sure college was the right path for me,” he said. “I did not really know what I wanted to do.”

When he decided to give college a chance, he came to GTCC with a different program in mind entirely. His high school teachers spoke highly of the college, particularly its hands-on programs, and he enrolled in the audio engineering program after touring the facilities. He remained in the program for about a year and a half before realizing he wanted to pursue a different path.

Stewart began exploring automotive collision repair after a friend recommended the program.

“Since making that decision, it has been a very positive experience, and I feel very excited about it,” he said.

A significant part of that excitement comes from the instruction he has received. Autobody repair, collision repair, and refinishing tech instructor Josh Baker has set a high bar in the classroom.

“He is a fantastic instructor,” Stewart said. “He balances being a teacher, dad, husband, and full-time shop owner. He is very dedicated to helping students. If you need help with something, he will explain it as many times as needed.”

Stewart also credits Psychology Instructor Henry Fierro with helping him through a difficult stretch in his life. During a challenging semester, Fierro worked with Stewart individually, helped him catch up on missed work, and took time to talk with him through personal difficulties he was facing.

That support helped Stewart regain confidence and continue building momentum both inside and outside the classroom. His second-place finish at SkillsUSA after just one month of preparation highlighted how quickly he has developed both technical knowledge and confidence in the field.

Beyond the automotive program, Stewart has also found another meaningful outlet on campus. Before he ever enrolled in a class, he discovered that GTCC had an esports team while browsing the college’s website.

“I have always enjoyed competitive gaming, so joining the team seemed like a great opportunity,” he said.

He joined the team in the fall of 2023 and has participated every semester since, competing as a player while also serving as the team’s content specialist.

As he approaches the end of his program this summer, Stewart is already planning his next steps. He intends to return for his mechanical certification. His long-term goal is to own his own shop, eventually moving beyond collision repair into custom builds and performance modifications.

For now, his focus is on finishing strong, earning additional certifications, and entering the industry with a competitive foundation.

“I want to do as much pre-work here and get as many certifications here as I can so that when I get into the industry, employers can see that I already have experience and credentials,” he said.

He came to GTCC still searching for direction. Today, he is preparing to leave with statewide recognition, technical experience, creative skills, and a clearer vision for the future he wants to build.

Much like the craftsmanship he admires in his dream car, Stewart has learned that success is built over time through patience, dedication, and attention to detail.