Why is this? When considering the purchase of a vehicle, the idea of maintenance is rarely, if at all, a thought in the minds of women. Some things we do consider are the appearance and size of the vehicle, trunk space and accessibility to park in small spaces…… but miles per gallon (MPG)? Nah!
Save money? Women spend tons of money on car repairs each year, repairs that could have been avoided if the vehicle was properly cared for. Who would have guessed that something as simple as maintaining the proper air pressure in your tires is directly related to safety in handling and steering, traction on wet roads, tire life and overall saving money on fuel. Yet, how often do women really check the pressure in their tires or utilize the free air offered at gas stations?
Are we intimidated by cars? This blows my mind because women have taken such giant leaps in many male-dominated areas except this one: vehicle maintenance and repair. It is estimated that only 1% of all vehicle repair mechanics are women. It’s time to lift the veil and take a good hard look at women on cars. After all, we often carry the most precious of all cargo-children.
All over the web are various vehicle maintenance and repair articles, videos and sites directed exclusively towards women. By becoming more familiar with ‘car talk’ and identifying particular terminology associated with car care, women can begin to step outside their comfort zone and pay closer attention to this area of their lives that dominate their day to day connections to work, school, activities, etc.
Moreover, there are tons of scholarships available for females considering entering the auto mechanic repair field:
The Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation (AWAF)
The Car Care Council Women's Board Scholarship program is a collaboration with the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship program.
The Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI)
American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Vocational Scholarship (High school senior female auto mechanic students)
www.schoolsoup.com/
THINGS TO CONSIDER: New technology used in automobiles today is extremely sophisticated so that the job of auto repair has begun to shift from physically demanding to more of a mental challenge. Both mathematical skills and a foundation in physics are required to diagnose mechanical or electronic problems with the use of advanced computer diagnostic equipment. While many of today’s mechanics use lifts and levers for heavy parts, many of the smaller parts weigh only a few pounds. With newer technological equipment being designed each year, the field of auto repair is increasingly becoming more accessible to women.
So come on girls, let’s take a few minutes to get down and dirty under the hood!
Submitted by Kathleen Dambrowski
