From "Terrible" Teen to Trade Master

Editor’s Note: Although automotive service is not typically categorized as infrastructure-related, there are plenty of crossover skills between auto and, for example, construction equipment maintenance. Further, and most importantly, Emily’s trades journey is powerful and deeply relatable across sectors.

As far as teenagers go, I was pretty terrible. So much, that my mother kicked me out when I was 15, and I moved in with my dad in a different town. I decided to take an automotive course at the new school, and from the minute I walked into the auto shop, I fell in love. I enjoyed every moment in the shop and finished the year with a 99% in that class. I decided then that I wanted to continue taking automotive courses. As I learned more and did more, I loved it more. I claimed mechanics as my career and have never looked back.

At age 16, I found out I was pregnant. Although it was terrifying and difficult, I had the support of my family and some incredible teachers.

I sat down with my guidance counselor and listened to every option available to me. Because I was having my daughter in September of 12th grade, I had to ensure my education didn’t suffer. I transferred schools so that I could attend a program that allowed you to bring your baby to school. I did that for the first half of the year and transferred back to my original high school for the second half. I was determined to graduate with the class I began with. I also wanted to squeeze in a co-op course to gain experience in a real shop, which I did end up doing. I graduated on time with my class with honors and received two awards at commencement — and I did it with a baby.

During this time, I also landed a job changing oil at a dealership after school. This was the foot in the door that I needed to gain experience. I learned so much from my time with that dealership. I learned about cars, and I learned about how to stand up for myself. Both were things I had to learn the hard way, but it made me better in the long run.

I have had to fight tooth and nail to prove I belong in this trade and to get treated with respect. I had to fight for a spot as an apprentice, even though I had worked at the same place for longer than the other men.

I found out the men coming off the street were making a dollar more than I was, and when I asked why, my manager told me I hadn’t earned a raise. I had to earn the right to make the same wage as men who brought zero experience and zero seniority. I was skipped over time and time again to be moved into the shop and away from doing oil changes. Customers would side eye me and tell their advisor they would like a “real” technician. As if the license in my pocket was no more than a paperweight. One day, I hope to be starting these stories with “I remember when..” instead of “the other day..”

When I got pregnant with my second daughter, the dealership told me I had lost my chance to move into the shop entirely, and I was now bottom of the list. So when I returned from maternity leave, I quit and moved elsewhere. When I was applying to dealerships, one responded, saying: “We had a female once, and it didn’t work out.. so we don’t hire women anymore.” As if that was a valid reason?

All of that said though, I continue to come to work every day because I love the job and I really love the pay. Men be damned. I make excellent money and I get to fix cars.

I am a single mom of two girls, and I can support the three of us on my own and still live comfortably. I enjoy the work, even when the people test my patience. I love coming in to work every day to learn something new and do something exciting; no two days are ever the same. Just when you think you have it figured out, the automotive industry hits you with something new. Hybrids, full electric, hydrogen fuel cell, diesel — there are so many things to keep you humbled and learning.

One thing I have learned over the years is that you can't care what others say about you. That lesson transfers to so many aspects in life, but it’s especially true as a women in the trades. In a shop full of men, my waist-length red hair stands out and makes me an easy target. People are always watching what I am doing, and they will always have something to say about me. Let them watch, and let them talk. I will continue to do my job regardless.

The most misunderstood thing about trade work is that you don't need to have an education or a brain to do it. People see us as grease monkeys that only change oil for a living, when in reality I have had to work my tail off in school and in the shop. I was in school for three years during my apprenticeship, and anything below a 70% was a fail. You had to keep your grades up in the classroom and in the shop. Even after school is finished, we are always learning to keep up with industry changes.

In five years, I have no idea where I will be, and it is incredibly exciting. Although I love working on cars, I also want to do and learn more. I was exploring the idea of getting into truck and coach mechanics next, or perhaps aviation — whichever opportunity finds me first. Ideally I want to collect as many licenses as I can, I don't want to limit myself to one trade when I could do them all instead. I'm going to continue advocating for women in the trades, and maybe that will lead me somewhere else. Who knows what the future will hold?

About the author: Emily Pyke is an automotive service technician at Heffner Lexus in Kitchener, Ontario. She has been in her trade for eight years.