(The following is part of a monthly series from Denise Collins at North Montco Technical Career Center, which profiles former students and the success they’ve had in their current field.)
When asked about highlighting the career aspirations of one of his alumni, Bob Hunter, North Montco Technical Career Center's (NMTCC) Auto Collision Repair teacher, immediately suggested speaking with his former student, Serena Bergeron. Bergeron graduated in 2018 and is a current student of Pennsylvania Technical College. Before talking to Bergeron, Mr. Hunter gave me insight into this exciting field and what it takes to succeed. Later, while speaking with Bergeron, it became apparent that she daringly had mapped out a career path that defies what many people would expect for a petite young woman.
As in many technical fields, there is a high demand for competent technicians in the auto collision field. These jobs offer a good starting salary — around $18-per-hour — with plenty of room to grow, over $80,000-per-year salary for some managerial roles. Mr. Hunter knows the industry well and quickly identifies the students who will become successful in this trade.
"Someone who will make an excellent technician will enjoy working on cars and want to continue learning as the trade evolves,” said Hunter. “Work ethic is number one: show up for work every day and do your best. Second, it's important to be detail oriented. Stamina is also important, as you are on your feet most of the day. Finally, these technicians need to pay attention and do a nice job without damaging the car, while being knowledgeable about how to put parts back together that have been taken apart."
Mr. Hunter became a teacher in 2009, and he continues to share a lifetime of learning and career interest with his students.
"I started working on cars when I was 13 years old,” Hunter said. “My friend's dad owned a repair shop that did mechanical and auto bodywork. I learned many skills from him."
Over the years, Mr. Hunter has seen this technology change, too.
"Spray guns have changed drastically over the years,” Hunter said. “The mist is fine, with more spray going onto the vehicle and less going into the air. Battery-powered tools have replaced air-powered. These are just as powerful and alleviate having to drag an airline around with you while you are working."
Like Mr. Hunter, Bergeron was fortunate enough to have surveyed her career interests while growing up. Plus, she had the benefit of taking the Auto Collision Repair program at North Montco. As a result, she continues to excel as she makes her way in a male-dominated field.
Bergeron provided some insight into how she chose her career and her plans for the future. Check out my interview with her below.
When were you first interested in Auto Body?
I was always building something as a child, and as I grew up, I became very interested in how cars are built and go together.
Did either of your parents share similar interests as you? Were they supportive of you attending North Montco?
My mom was the person who suggested I attend North Montco. No one in my family has much interest in cars or has worked on cars before me.
What kind of student were you? Any particular hobbies, clubs, or interests?
I was a part-time student at North Montco and also attended North Penn High School. While in high school, I was a member of several clubs including SkillsUSA (through North Montco), Goodwill Ambassadors Club, and FCCLA. I also have done Mixed Martial Arts at Tiger Schumann's since I was 11, so I had a pretty active extracurricular life.
Did you have any experiences or projects at North Montco that you particularly enjoyed?
I enjoyed the painting aspect of learning at North Montco as well as learning to weld! Mr. Hunter is willing to teach you anything — as long as you show initiative — so I took advantage of this opportunity and absorbed what I could, despite having no background in these things. I participated in SkillsUSA competitions as well and accompanied the school to the statewide competition in Hershey. These were great experiences that helped build both technical and leadership skills.
Do your friends and family call on you to fix their fender benders?
People ask me questions about cars and accidents frequently, but I don't often get called to fix anything serious, only the occasional flat tire.
Do you have an interest in a specific type of car?
I love both classic and muscle cars. I want to restore a classic muscle car someday, but I haven't picked which one yet because I like so many. I also enjoy the older box-style trucks and would like to restore one of those as well.
How did your time at North Montco prepare you for the field?
North Montco helped lay the groundwork for the basics in this field. It also helped me narrow down what I want to do within collision repair. For example, did I want to specialize in painting or be a body technician? I decided that I'd specialize in body tech.
When did you decide to further your education? And what are your future goals?
I knew that I wanted to go into management eventually, so I knew I needed to get a business/management degree and further my education in collision repair. I plan to work as a technician and gradually work my way into management.
Penn College is great because they have a lot of two-plus-two degrees that allow you to get both an associate's and a bachelor's degree in four years. This option was a big plus while making my decisions.
What would you say to other people who want to pursue a career in the auto collision trade? Do you think your experience is much different than your male counterparts?
This career can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. It's cool to see the result when the car is all put back together — it is pretty satisfying!
My experience is different because I'm a woman working in a male-dominated field. I worked through some stigma and self-doubt that surfaced when I was around my peers and a few of the older technicians. I'm also a bit of a shorter, more petite person, so I've learned some things differently so that I could more easily complete tasks by myself.
More importantly, I've found that the collision industry loves having women in this field. All of my teachers and employers often say how neat women are in our repairs and the shop bay's upkeep. But, again, some older technicians aren't used to having a young woman in the shop, which may cause initial awkwardness or judgment about my abilities. Overall, I have found that my co-workers and employers were impressed with how much knowledge I came in with after my experiences at North Montco and a few college courses. I am a perfectionist and always try my best to do everything right the first time. If not, I keep going until I get it – a trait my college professors admire.
I recommend North Montco for the trades, especially auto body, as the school offers excellent introductory programs that will help you lay the groundwork for your career or further education!
See also:
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