I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores like to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me. I made the decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours with my children and senior dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores like to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me. I made the decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours with my children and senior dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores like to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me. I made the decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours with my children and senior dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores like to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me. I made the decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours with my children and senior dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores like to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me. I made the decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours with my children and senior dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores like to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me. I made the decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours with my children and senior dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me with open arms. I made the decision to leave everything and drive ten hours into the unknown with my children and dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have secured an internship with a mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I'm doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of. So, I would visit parts stores to get the codes run and printed for free. I would also check my battery and alternator. Then, I would turn to the internet, relying on forums and Google to find solutions to similar issues or codes. YouTube became my go-to platform, where I would watch videos, take note of the tools used, and order them from Amazon. I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. I faced bias and discouragement being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me with open arms. I made the decision to leave everything and drive ten hours into the unknown with my children and dog. I fled a domestic violence situation and had limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have secured an internship with a mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I'm doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. My goal is to continue improving my craft and acquire all the necessary certifications, licenses, and degrees. Eventually, I hope to open my own mobile mechanic business. Without education, in the form of online tutorials, on-the-job training, and classroom instruction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Each aspect of the educational system has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and knowledge. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family.

I am a 37-year-old bisexual female from New York and a proud mother of two beautiful children. We also share our home with a variety of animals, including amphibians and critters. Growing up, I had to be independent as there were no parental figures in my home, and with my mother and grandmother not approving of my sexual preference I always felt like the black sheep of the family while also being the backbone. I took on the responsibility of raising my siblings and myself to the best of my ability. This experience taught me to become a jack of all trades, which eventually led me to working on cars. Initially, I started by fixing my own car and then helping others with small issues. I couldn't afford professional repairs, and as a woman, I often felt taken advantage of .I continued this way for a while, but I always had a desire to enroll in a mechanics program. Unfortunately, I faced bias and discouragement for being a girl. People would say things like, 'You'll get dirty,' 'You'll break nails,' or 'You won't be able to dress nice.' It wasn't until I moved to North Carolina for a fresh start that I found a mechanics program that welcomed me with open arms. I made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and drive ten hours into the unknown with my children and senior service dog. I was fleeing a domestic violence situation my girlfriend was a real bad alcoholic and it put a big strain on our relationship and had very limited options. I ended up in a shelter and applied for housing in North Carolina. I have found stable housing, therapy, and a school that I absolutely love. Recently, I obtained my OSHA certification, and I am thrilled to be on my way to achieving my next milestone. I have also secured an internship with a local mechanic who treats me as any other apprentice. I am doing what I love while learning valuable skills that I can pass down to my children when they are old enough. Unfortunately, I have witnessed another girl in my class drop out due to feeling unfairly treated. This motivates me even more to be an example for myself, my peers, and my children. I want to show that hands-on jobs can be pursued by women and create a safe space for women who need light maintenance and repair. No one should have to endure price gauging or inappropriate behavior in exchange for work. With the limited knowledge I have gained, I have been able to not only help myself but also others. Just the other day, a friend of mine was quoted exorbitant prices by four different male mechanics for a tune-up on her car. After listening to her, video chatting, and having her run diagnostics with my guidance, we discovered that it was just her battery causing the issues. She would have paid a significant amount of money and still not have a fully operational vehicle. It is experiences like these that drive me to ensure I pass on my skills to my children and break the cycle I grew up in. I want to open doors and create generational wealth for my family. Furthermore, I believe in building community rapport and being an asset in my community. Education is of utmost importance, and trade schools play a vital role in shaping our future. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am truly grateful for any support or opportunities you can provide.