© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Evergreen Valley College Women in Automotive Technology

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science What is Automotive Technology? Automotive repair work involves both hands-on repair work and problem-solving. Workers just starting out may do more hands-on work such as oil changes, tire rotations, battery installations. Repair work may at times require physical strength, but assistive devices are available to help with heavy lifting and wrenching.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path This program prepares students to be auto technicians and for many other job opportunities that take advantage of the training in mechanical and computer controlled devices. A few such opportunities include:  Dealer parts/service manager for a car dealer  Auto insurance claims reps  Mechanical maintenance and repair of production equipment in manufacturing or distribution environments  Amusement park ride maintenance  Elevator, escalator, and building maintenance  Auto instructors

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path Advancement Once graduates have proven their skills and dedication at a company, many opportunities for advancement exist. As technicians advance their skills and become faster at repairs, they often receive efficiency bonuses for repairs done quickly. Technicians with good communications skills may advance to positions as service writers or dispatchers in an auto repair facility.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Labor Market Approx. Starting Salary: $10-$14/hour for entry level positions taken on while in school $20/hour after graduation for students with smog license Average Salary: $32/hour union wage after 4-5 years experience; Average Wage at Placement: Students who gained hands-on experience by working while in school can start at $20/hour. Placement Rate: The placement rate for students who are pursuing positions in automotive technology is nearly 100%. Labor Market: Evergreen Valley College (EVC) automotive technology students are highly sought after because of the quality of the program, the fact that it is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and accepted by the unions. Although when the economy slows, customers sometimes postpone car maintenance, job placements have continued at just under 100% for students who request them. In addition, other industries with mechanical equipment such as conveyor belts, elevators, or assembly lines also require similar skills, so there is a worldwide demand for workers with technical skills.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Industries Employing Graduates of this Program  Automotive  Insurance  Elevator and escalator repair companies  Manufacturing companies  Any other mechanical industries

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs Are employers hiring for jobs in this area? Yes! Evergreen Valley has an excellent relationship with hiring managers in the area, including Sears, Honda, Pep Boys, Wheel Works, Goodyear Tire Stores, various automotive dealers, and many others. Employers are eager to hire students after they complete their first semester in the program! The program also has developed industry partnerships with Honda, the cities of San Jose and Sunnyvale, and the Northern California Automotive Dealers Group to develop career opportunities for students. These strong relationships have resulted in a placement rate for graduates of close to 100% for those requesting placement in the field.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs cont’d Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in technology? Yes, definitely! There are no prerequisites, and you don’t need a specific background in technology to enroll in the Automotive Technology program. It helps to know how to use a computer and to have basic geometry and algebra skills. Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology areas? Absolutely! We partner with many employers who want women, including companies like Sears, Honda, Pep Boys, Wheel Works, Goodyear Tire Stores, various automotive dealers, and many others.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Degrees and Certificates Offered A.S. Degrees in Automotive Technology, with emphases in:  Fuel and Electrical  Drivetrain and Chassis Five certificate programs:  Basic Skills  Drivetrain and Chassis  Engine Service  Fuel and Electrical  Advanced Automotive Training (combines content from all of the above certificates)

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Class Hours  This program offers classes Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Saturday classes are offered from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Class offerings vary by semester, but most classes are offered at least once a year.  The Honda program also offers 50 percent of its classes online.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Academic FAQ  The A.S. degree ( units) can be completed in two years.  To complete both an A.S. degree and all the automotive courses (90 units) typically takes three years.  The Honda Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT) program (90 units) typically takes three years to complete. Certificate programs:  Basic Skills – one semester  Engine Services – one semester  Drivetrain and Chassis – two semesters  Fuel and Electrical – two semesters Students attending full-time (15 units per semester) can complete all of the automotive classes in four semesters, or two years. How long will it take to complete this technology program?

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Role Models If They Can Do It So Can You!

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Diane Ontiveros Instructional Lab Technician II “When I first started the program I was really nervous. It was a beginning class, and everybody was new to it. Eventually, I realized that the men were just as scared as I was. I thought they knew more than I did, but they didn’t. They were just as nervous to talk to another woman. I finally realized that, and we got to be really good friends. We were all just learning. That was a thing to get over, thinking they knew more than I did.”

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Diane Ontiveros cont’d  She had no idea she had a talent for fixing cars until she got frustrated waiting for her car to get fixed and did it herself.  Diane recommends that women entering this program take their general education courses along with their automotive classes. Salary:$15-$20/hour to start Up to $25 with experience Education: Years in field:18Evergreen Valley College A.S. degree in Automotive Technology, June 2008 City/State:Milpitas, California

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Diane Ontiveros cont’d Career Ladder: Diane has already been promoted from the Instructional Lab Technician I position, which has evening hours, to the Instructional Lab Technician II position, which has daytime hours, more responsibilities, and a slightly higher salary. She sees this position as a natural stepping stone to a teaching position at the community college level, which she hopes to apply for once she has completed her degree and when an opening occurs.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Jennifer Eklund Student and Student Lane Technician “They [the Evergreen teachers] take the time to spend with you to get something down. I’ve gotten stuck on some of the stuff. They’re always around in the shop area, and they’re always willing to talk to you after class or if you need help with anything. They’re always walking around, explaining things or asking us questions to see if we understand what we’re doing.”

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Jennifer Eklund cont’d  She became interested in cars through street and track racing  She already has a job as a Student Lane Technician for a state-certified smog referee station that rents space at the college Salary:$10 per hourEducation: Years in field:6 monthsEvergreen Valley College Has two classes remaining to complete both the Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) certification program and her A.S. degree in Automotive Technology. City/State:Hollister, California Gavilan College, A.A. Degree in Business

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Jennifer Eklund cont’d Advice for Women: “Don’t be afraid to ask somebody for help, even if you are the only female,” Jennifer advises women who are entering the program. She says she was quiet and scared at first before she got to know her fellow students. Once she got to know them she felt more comfortable asking for help.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Susie Chivers Auto Technician “If you’re thinking of going into the auto trade, get as much training as you can. Never stop learning. Any woman can do this. You don’t have to be physically strong, there are lots of tools you can use to lift things that are too heavy.”

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Susie Chivers cont’d  She found her first automotive job through one of her teachers  Although Susie has learned many new skills in her years as a technician, she would like to someday return to Evergreen to take a class in transmission rebuilding Salary:$35K - $50KEducation: Years in field:27Evergreen Valley College Attended automotive program and is just 1-2 classes short of her A.A. degree. City/State:San Jose, California

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Susie Chivers cont’d Working with Men: During her classes at Evergreen, Susie says that men and women were treated the same. She has almost always been the only woman technician in her classes and on the job, but this has not been a problem for her. “Don’t let gender limit you as to what you can do,” says Susie.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Women in Automotive Technology Organizations  Women's Automotive Association International Supports women in automotive-related careers, management oriented.  Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation AWAF is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting the personal and professional development for the advancement of women in the global automotive industry.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Evergreen Valley College CalWomenTech Website Features  Find an e-mentor  Read real women’s success stories  Check out news articles about women in the field  Find out information about the Automotive program  See our list of women in technology career associations  Take advantage of industry articles and listservs  Join WomenTech Talk Visit us at:

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org The on-line home for women technicians to connect with each other. Whether you are a Network Engineer, a Mechanic or a Sound Tech or a female student in a tech major, you'll want to visit WomenTechWorld.Org where you're not alone anymore.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org WomenTechTalk This listserv has more than 500 women technicians and students participating in an discussion group. It serves as a source of support and inspiration where women help each other with questions and topics such as:  How do I effectively handle negative comments by classmates or coworkers so I can focus on my class or job?  Finding a Job in Your Male-Dominated Field  Getting Promoted in Your Male-Dominated Field

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org E-Mentoring  E-Mentors exists to connect female students in technology/trades with women successfully working in male-dominated fields  Women new to traditionally male jobs can find guidance and support from women who have been there

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org E-Jobs Connect with employers who are actively seeking female job applicants in typically male-dominated professions. E-Jobs offers you:  Free, current listings in the automotive field  Auto Notify, which gives you notices when new jobs meeting your criteria have been posted  My Checklist feature to save your favorite job opportunities for easy reference

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science CalWomenTech Project 8 California community colleges receive expert support and technical assistance from the Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science to help recruit and retain women into technology programs where they are under-represented.

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science CalWomenTech Project cont’d  Evergreen Valley College –Automotive Technology Program  Irvine Valley College –Electronics Technology Program  Las Positas College –Automotive and Welding Programs  San Jose City College –Facilities Maintenance Technology Program

© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science CalWomenTech Project cont’d  City College of San Francisco –DHTI Program  San Diego Mesa College –GIS program  Cañada College –Video Game Design program  El Camino College –Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program

Evergreen College Contact Information: Program Contact: Diane Ontiveros 3095 Yerba Buena Rd. San Jose, CA (408) x © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science

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