Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the auto industry. Whether it is designing, building, or repairing vehicles the auto industry is infused in all aspects of life. I have always been fascinated by vehicles; their beauty and speed are alluring but understanding the intricacies of the vehicles' engines and the inner workings of these powerful machines fuels my curiosity. It is truly exciting and humbling to possess the expertise to get a vehicle back on the road.
As a determined and passionate young woman entering into a traditionally male-dominated field of Automotive and Diesel Technology, I embrace each day as an opportunity to challenge preconceived notions. My role in these dynamics cannot be overlooked. I am looking for equity in opportunity. I want an equal opportunity to prove myself by demonstrating my merit and commitment through my actions and abilities. It is exciting to infuse myself as a valuable asset to the team, by earning trust and respect from a traditionally male-dominated career.
With every skill I master, I become more self-sufficient, breaking down traditional ideas and providing young girls with a strong role model. I gain a sense of empowerment and purpose knowing I have earned my position with my knowledge and abilities.
I dream of being a catalyst for change within the automotive and diesel technology field. The potential I have to alter a customer's views of women in the field, as well as the profession, is exhilarating. Automotive and diesel technicians are often underappreciated, whether it is due to their dirty, labor-intensive work, others' lack of knowledge of the complexity and importance of a technician, the mystery of what they do, or others' lack of awareness of the specialized training and continued education required to keep pace with the ever-changing industry. My goal is to change the view of an automotive and diesel technician by educating the customer and taking the mystery out of automotive repair. The automotive industry transcends all walks of life, a vehicle symbolizes freedom, allows for travel, and opens up the possibilities for careers and education. A vehicle also can be an equalizer, no matter who you are or what you do a broken-down vehicle can bring life to a screeching halt and steal a person’s freedom. An automotive technician works with every facet of the population yet for too long this profession's reputation has been based on trust or lack of trust. Customers never see the work being done, they never speak to the technician and just pay the bill.
I believe to foster respect for the technicians they should be having meaningful interactions with the customer. This will give a face to the technician and aid in building mutual respect, trust, and appreciation for the work performed, strengthening the view of women in the field of automotive and diesel technology. Sharing the details and successes of the job will give the customer knowledge and validate the skills needed to accomplish the task. Customers having the opportunity to ask questions to build an understanding of the repairs, aids in building confidence in the industry, and fosters a positive view of the technicians.
By embracing a successful career in automotive repair, educating customers through interactions, and always striving to be better than the day before, I can contribute to a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and help to break down barriers while pursuing my passions and advancing my professional goals.
From the time that I was big enough to get my boots on and stomp out the front door on my Pop’s heels, I have been fascinated with tractors, trucks, and just about any kind of heavy equipment. I couldn’t wait for the day when I was finally big enough to move things with the tractor or pull a trailer with a truck by myself. While the tradional classroom sometimes felt like a struggle, I always felt confident when I was working beside my Pop, figuring out what the tractor or bush hog or even the truck needed to run again.
My mom used to joke when I was in elementary school that I believed everything worth knowing in life could be learned from my Pop and a John Deere tractor. That thought probably still holds some truth today. Over the years, I have realized that there is much more to learn, but my passion for learning machinery has just grown stronger. For me, there is nothing alot more rewarding than taking apart broken pieces and working through a process, step by step, until it is running smooth again. That sense of accomplishment is what drives my interest in the automotive industry, specifically diesel technology.
I have always enjoyed problem-solving, and I have learned to bring patience and determination to every project I work on. When diagnosing the issue with an engine or piece of equipment, I take pride in thinking through each possibility carefully before determining what is needed for repairs. I know that in the automotive and diesel fields, attention to detail and persistence are just as important as technical knowledge, and I believe those are some of the strongest qualities I can contribute.
As a student with dyslexia, I have learned that a traditional classroom is not always where I shine. Reading and writing sometimes present challenges, but give me a wrench and a real-world problem to solve, and I am in my element. Working on vehicles and equipment allows me to build on my strengths which are hands on learning, critical thinking, and perseverance rather than being limited by my challenges.
I look forward to pursuing a career in the automotive industry because it is and industry where my skills, my interests, and my future can all come together. With training, I hope to turn my love of fixing things into a reliable career that not only supports me and my future family but also contributes to keeping communities and industries moving.
