by Guest on Fri May 30, 2008 1:09 pm
hi,
im from australia and i was randomly googling female mechanic workshops, as im thinking of opening one in my home town in australia. im scared, but i know it could be something, i too, like the other comments ive read, love cars, love doing my own up, and most of all love getting my hands dirty.
i take great offence to those that assume i work on my car and have pride in it, because its "the fashion" or bcoz i mite impress guys.
cars ahve been and always will be my passion, and i feel sorry for girls that believe pretending to b interested in them will make them more appealing. (now thats out of the way)
the town where i live is, surprisingly to most, still a very backward country town (population 300,xxx) my life was made very difficult trying to study mechanics. i had a few good ppl trying to push me into the industry and i fell in under a company by the name of the VACC, who run an apprenticeship program, after months of trying places to get me an apprenticeship, i was turned down due to my sex time and time again. so naturally, they gave up on me. iv undertaken work experience and received mostly complaints, prejudice, slanders and discouragement, AND also some good guidance and help, and it's small minded comments like that of a certain user/guest on the first page of this topic that can crush dreams and hopes. resorting to derogatory comments about female body function in order to house their own insecurities.
however, back on topic.
after i was pushed out of the apprenticeship scheme i was given a place out of sympathy at a tafe studying mechanics, there, i learnt the basics, and loved it. my all male classmates grew to respect me and further great friendships. it was difficult at first. as im, blonde, busty and with blue eyes to be taken serisouli at all... (not trying to pump myself up, just adding background to my story)
i know there has to b other women out there like me, and i wish to give them the opportunities i never had, hence, my idea of opening my own shop. i have some good support, a good guy mate who is a fully qualified mechanic, my bf, a good but not qualified mechanic and my parents.
surely there would b a market...appealing to women sick and tired of being ripped off by men that assume we know nothing.
in saying that, every time i have gone to inquire about parts for my car with my bf, every where we went, the male service men automatcially assumed that my bf owned my car, and never spoke to me directly. even after i made it clear i owned the vehicle and it was my money on the table.
i want this to change.
there is NO reason women cannot do as good, if not better job then men in trade. examples being, we are usuali smaller, i came in handy during my training as i had smaller hands, also, we have good attention to detail, and usuali, USUALLY, dont enjoi ripping customers off.
i ges, i posted here, to show support and proud-ness of the women posting here AND for the people willing to accept this movement.
and also, for some moral encouragement....
thanks.
