Success Stories

Where did you go to learn about auto technology?

High school auto shop, ROP and Skyline College as well as learning on the driveway with friends or family.

What did you do before beginning your automotive career?

I always did cars. It somehow worked for me because I stood out and I knew what I was talking about.

What made you decided to pursue automotive technology?

I learned to put away the feeling that I'm a female and impress people on what I know and what I can do with cars.

Were you the only female in your classes? What was that like?

I was scared to death at my first day at Skyline College. I thought the guys would laugh at me. I saw another girl and clung to her and soon I learned the guys liked helping me and I was like a sister to them. It was GREAT.

What was your career path?

I always worked at Dealerships. I currently work at Holland car care as a service writer. I use to work in a parts department for 15 years before that.

What certifications, licenses or special training do you have?

I got all my certifications from Skyline and smog license (now expired).

What advice would you give to women interested in an automotive career?

Best advice - you got to prove it to people. Learn all you can, then go out there and show guys you know what a camshaft does in the engine. You need to learn all you can.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of accomplishing in this field?

Starting an all girl car club and owning a home I got from working in an Automotive career.

Where did you go to learn about auto technology?

I learned a bit from my home experience. My mom would have problems with her car when I was younger. I would learn like oh the brake pads need to be change because it is making noises. Or the suspension needs to be change because the car keeps bouncing up and down. My dad would always help my mom out with her car problems.

What did you do before beginning your automotive career?

Before I started, I graduated from UC Davis as a Sociology major a few years ago. I was taking Organic Chemistry and other subjects since my plan was to be a Veterinarian. That was my childhood dream.

What made you decided to pursue automotive technology?

Well, to be honest, I did not know I had an interest in cars and in this field. I started taking a night course like head and valve services. After taking that short term night course, I was hooked and very motivated about cars.

Were you the only female in your classes?

A few of my classes, I was the only female. Some of the students gave me looks like I do not belong here.  Some of them gave attitudes since I am a woman it is like ‘what do you know’?   Most of the guys honestly had manners towards me since I am a woman. When I first took auto class, I was nervous since I felt like I was going to be the only woman. But then there were a few women there. We would be nervous since we would get picked in-class to do stuff for lab. But honestly, I enjoy being picked in-class since it gives me more hands on experience.

What was your career path?

Honestly, I do not think I would mind being an auto mechanic or even an auto consultant. It is hard at times to figure out what you honestly want to do. I have so many interests which is a good thing. 

What advice would you give to women interested in an automotive career?

I had enough math and science since I took all of that at De Anza and Foothill College. Well being a woman and getting prepared for the auto tech classes, you need to be okay getting down and dirty. If you are the type who does not want to do that, then these are not the right classes for you. When there are mostly men are in your classes, sometimes you need to get used the way they talk.  Plus you need to be aggressive and motivated in order to get things done. You need to be calm and cool with classmates as well.  Some of them can be impatient.  The barriers I had encounter in school was that it takes me a while to understand the subjects. I learned that even though the years go by fast, it does not matter how long it takes you, as long as you get there.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of accomplishing in this field so far?

I am proud that I had learned and understand a bit more about cars than before.  And also a better understanding about the tools and being comfortable using them. I have a better understanding about the maintenance of cars as well. Even though, I know about checking the dipsticks, but there is more to it than just that.

Where did you go to learn about auto technology?

I had never so much as touched the hood of a car before I came to Skyline College.  I learned everything I know here.

What did you do before beginning your automotive career?

I earned a BA in International Relations from SFSU in 1995 and worked in a variety of different industries – International Trade, civil rights advocacy, several non-profits, I had my own dog walking business.  I was a certified Personal Trainer at a gym for a few years and did a long stretch as a stay-at-home-mom. 

What made you decided to pursue automotive technology?

I have always been interested in cars, but I was too intimidated to learn more when I was younger.  My attempts at learning on the driveway with friends or family usually resulted in me handing tools to someone under the car and not knowing what they were doing with those tools.  I put my interest in cars aside for many years and didn’t think about it again until a Skyline class schedule appeared in my mailbox one day.  I tried the “Automotive Principles” class and discovered that a) it was not that hard and b) I enjoyed it!  I took that class twice and decided that I wanted to apply to the program.

Were you the only female in your classes?

I was almost always the only female in my classes.  I felt like the new kid in school for a while, but despite the fact that I’m female and almost 20 years older than my classmates, I was able to make friends.  I came into the classes with the attitude that I was here to learn.  I quickly found out that my classmates didn’t know any more than I did and that put us on the same plane.

I also discovered that being a female in a male-dominated industry can be an advantage!  I applied for and won 9 scholarships while I was in school and attracted a lot of attention from the local employers who were eager to hire me right out of school.

What was your career path?

I worked in an independent repair shop and for the State of California in the Smog Referee program.  I was giving seminars to women and girls after my first semester and I started teaching weekend classes for women my second year in school.  2 months after I graduated from the Auto Tech program, I was hired by the Auto Department at Skyline to teach the Fundamentals class.  Since then, I’ve added several new classes and begun writing grants and recruiting for the department.

What certifications, licenses or special training do you have?

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in Engine Repair (A1), Manual Drive Train and Axles (A3), Suspension and Steering (A4), Brakes (A5), Automotive Electrical Systems (A6) , Engine Performance (A8)and California Enhanced Area Smog License

What advice would you give to women interested in an automotive career?

1. You have just as much right as anyone to learn this technology and work in this field
2. You will probably have to work harder to prove yourself and that may make you mad, but just remember that you’ll be better than others as a result
3. No one is going to hold your hand.   If you want to know something – ask.  If you want to see – push your way up front.  If someone tries to take tools out of your hands – snatch those tools right back.  Ask them to teach you instead of show you.
4. Confidence in yourself is crucial.  If you’re not normally self-confident, then you need to pretend that you are.  Women see excessive confidence as boasting or arrogance.  Men equate confidence with competence. 

Is there anything that you are especially proud of accomplishing in this field?

Yeah, here’s a few:

• Obtained Skyline’s Certificate of Completion – Automotive Technology Program, 2007
• Skyline College Dean’s Honors List – 2004 through 2007
• Member, Phi Theta Kappa – International Honor Society - 2004 through 2007
• President, Skyline Auto Tech Club – 2004 through 2007
• Restored and modified a 1967 Plymouth Satellite.  Rebuilt and installed a Chrysler 440 engine, modified and installed a Torqueflite 727 transmission, rebuilt driveline, built an Auburn limited-slip differential with 4.10 gears, installed disc brakes and made other modifications for drag racing.  Currently competing in bracket drag racing events at Infineon Raceway.
• Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) Memorial Scholarship Recipient- 2005 and 2006
• California Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) Memorial Scholarship – 2005 and 2006
• Car Care Council Women’s Board Scholarship Recipient – 2005 and 2006
• Knudsen-Churchill Scholarship Recipient – 2006
• Automotive Service Council (ASC) Scholarship Recipient – 2006
• Skyline College Automotive Department – “Student of the Month” for March 2005
• Skyline College Automotive Department – “Most Improved Student” 2006
• Skyline College Automotive Department – “Club Service Award” 2004-2007
• Skyline College Automotive Department -  “Student of the Year” 2007
• Workshop Presenter at the California Automotive Teachers Conference, 2008
• Workshop Presenter at the NACAT Conference, 2009
• President’s Innovation Fund recipient - 2009