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“This field needs more women. We can offer a lot. We have a different kind of creative energy to solve problems. My boss says he’s learned a different way of looking at problems from working with me.” “This is an awesome job to do. I like the fact that I’ll never be a master. There’s always something new to learn because cars are always changing. I don’t have problems with anything new – just solutions.” Getting Started: While trying to develop a career to support her two children, Tifanie was working her way through General Education requirements at the Community College of Alameda to obtain her Business Management degree when she realized that sitting behind a desk was not for her. While still pondering her future along with her broken down car, Tifanie took a summer automotive mechanics class out of necessity. She learned how to fix her own car and realized that she loved it, deciding to change her coarse of study to Automotive Technology. Education: Tifanie holds as Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology from COA. She is still in the process of completing her education as an apprentice for Vintage Auto Service in Alameda by working between semesters and during the summer. Her apprenticeship allows her to get hands on experience working on all aspects of vehicle repair and maintenance. Her current project at Vintage Auto Service involves completely rebuilding a vintage Jaguar from the frame up, giving her a comprehensive knowledge of vehicle structure, engine, interior, electrical and mechanical systems just to mention a few of the major components. She plans on becoming an ASE Certified Master Technician, which will qualify her to work independently an all aspects of vehicle repair, but still needs a bit more hands-on experience before she signs up to take her test. Tifanie has also supplemented her education by working in the Tool Room at COA, which helped her to learn the names of different tools and what they are used for. Greatest Professional Achievement: Tifanie considers her greatest professional achievement to be the skills she has learned to trouble-shoot and figure her way out of a problem. Tifanie says of herself, “I realized I had more determination than I knew about.” Allowing herself patience and persistence, Tifanie is confident that she can figure out almost any mechanical problem she encounters. Barriers: While working through her courses at COA, Tifanie discovered that she suffered from a learning disability that she wasn’t previously aware of. But with a little extra help and some of her famous determination, Tifanie learned to work around her disability and earn her degree. In entering a male dominated environment, Tifanie also had to overcome her natural shyness. She says that becoming more comfortable in her new environment has involved learning how to be more assertive, how to speak her mind and how to be tactful while still having fun. This aspect of her developing career has also helped to build Tifanie’s confidence. Working with Men: Tifanie hasn’t had any problems with gender issues. Her classes in school were male dominated, intimidating her a little at first, but once she got comfortable in her environment and got to know everyone, she became more confident and felt right at home under the hood. Tifanie says that learning to be more comfortable in an environment where she is the minority has helped to improve her confidence overall. Advice for Women: Tifanie says that the most important prerequisite to entering the automotive field is the desire to do it – know yourself and know what you want to do. It may be a little scary, but don’t be intimidated by the fact that you’re a woman in a male dominated industry. Don’t get caught up in that and don’t quite. Have patience with yourself because you’re learning something new just like the other people in your classes are. The automotive industry is continually changing. No one can truly be a master technician because there’s always something new to learn. Keep in mind that there are always other ways around problems. Sometimes women have an advantage because their hands are smaller and there are always ways of working around strength issues. Tifanie often uses her legs to accomplish stronger feats and says she has never been stuck on a problem due to a lack of strength. Typical Workday/Environment: On the job as an apprentice, Tifanie performs a number of procedures depending on the shop’s current responsibilities. She may be responsible for removing an engine from a vehicle to perform diagnostics, which may also involve taking the engine apart and putting it together again before placing it back in the vehicle. She may also perform tasks involving the vehicle body including removing or replacing windows, minor auto bodywork, or gutting and reupholstering the interior. She also may work on a vehicles electrical system, exhaust or other mechanical parts. This all takes place in a shop environment and as Tifanie claims, can sometimes be very dirty. Career Ladder: Once certified as a master technician, one can go in any direction they like. Additional certifications are also available which allow you to work in different aspects of the industry, such as Smog Technician Certification. With several years of experience, one could work towards management positions or become a shop owner themselves. Some training in business and finance management is recommended for those interested in this path. Experience and skill is the surest way to increase your wage, but the type of shop you work for as well as the area where you work both affect your income. Professional Associations: None. Hobbies: A true lover of the trade, Tifanie enjoys working on her own car while not working on cars at school or at work. She also enjoys riding dirt bikes, running, snowboarding and spending time with her two children. |
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