For many years, careers in automotive technology, construction and welding have been dominated by males.

It’s time to move over, boys.

At Pasadena ISD’s L.P. Card Career and Technical Center, girls have shown an increased interest in rolling up their sleeves and participating in courses to prepare them for non-traditional careers.

“I have seen more girls participating in these courses over the past 2-3 years, and many of them have shown a real talent in their field, whether it’s welding, automotive or building trades,” said Jayne McFarland, L.P. Card’s counselor of career and technical programs. “They aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty.”

McFarland said that more girls are considering non-traditional occupations because they can gain experience in their career while still in high school, giving them a jump start on earning higher salaries and possible advancement. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, non-traditional occupations pay 20-30 percent more than jobs traditionally held by women and offer excellent benefits and career advancement potential.

The gavel…or the welding rod?

After hearing the benefits of non-traditional occupations, it was enough to get Pasadena Memorial High School junior and honor student Kimberly Sullivan to put on a shield and light up a welding rod.

“I had always thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but I really liked doing things that were more ‘hands on’ types of projects,” she said. “I saw a program on welding and I thought it was interesting and I wanted to give it a try. Once I began the class, I was hooked. It was also appealing to me when I learned that I could gain experience in high school and college and have the potential to earn a higher salary in the job market.”

Sullivan’s abilities have also caught the attention of her instructor, Ezequiel Garcia.

“I had my concerns about how a classroom full of boys and one girl would play out, but her great work ethic put any concerns I had to rest,” Garcia said. “She is in the gifted and talented program at Memorial, which also let me know she wasn’t in my class to try and get an easy grade or get off campus for three periods. With the continuous progress that she continues to make, I don’t see any reason why she would not be able to get a job in the industry – she certainly has the talent to do so if she desires.”

Wrenches, grease and a dream

As a visitor walked through the L.P. Card Career and Technology Center’s automotive shop, Janelle Tello’s eyes shifted from beneath the hood of a brand new Dodge Viper, while she dotted the sweat off her brow and wiped the grease from her hands and arms.

She put down her wrench and put away her tools to talk to the visitor, who asked her what it was like to work on such a high-powered motor. Tello replied, “It’s fun and I can’t wait to take it all apart and put it back together again.”

Tello, a junior at South Houston High School, began helping her father work on cars at an early age.

“We had a old Volkswagen van and a Beetle, and my dad and I would tinker with them. I was fascinated by how all of the parts of the engine were connected and how it all worked together. It was like the pieces of a puzzle. It was fun and did not seem like work. I decided that this was something I wanted to pursue as a career someday.”

Tello said she is learning everything she can about automotive technology in her classes and expand her knowledge in college. She wants to apply the skills she has learned in pursuing a lifelong dream – opening her own automotive shop.

“What I am learning in my regular classes will give me knowledge in the business side of my career,” she said. “The automotive skills will obviously help me when I open my own repair shop. I then want to take all that I have learned to help others – and show them how they can troubleshoot different problems that may come up with their vehicles.”

A blueprint for success

Yennifer Tapia’s father put his heart and his hands into his work. It is a value that he has passed down to Yennifer, who is a recent mid-semester graduate from Pasadena High School.

Tapia has been involved in the construction and building trades program at the Career and Technical Center, and has learned everything from reading computerized blueprints to helping construct various structures and installing electrical outlets. However, Tapia says such labor is not new to her. “I love my dad and wanted to help him,” she explains. “I would help him carry boards and materials and help him in any way that I could. He always told me that hard work would always help you become successful. I have learned so much from him.”

Tapia’s early graduation certainly has demonstrated her work ethic, and she says the skills she has learned in her other classes helped her become successful in her construction courses.

“Everything you learn in school is put to use in construction, especially your math skills,” she said. “In construction, your measurements have to be exact and you always using reading and math skills when reading blueprints. Construction is not just about hammers and nails, it also involves using brain power as well as physical ability.”

Although she is putting away her tool belt to go to college to become a pastry chef, she says her construction skills may come in handy again one day – perhaps in building her own shop or restaurant. “You never know,” she says. “If that opportunity happens, I’ll be ready.”

A continuing trend

McFarland said girls interested in non-traditional courses were almost non-existent a decade ago. Now, she has from 6-10 girls that want to take automotive, welding or construction classes every year.

“The interest is growing,” she said. “When we show them the big picture of how knowledge in these careers can benefit their futures, it sparks their interest. I do see more girls continuing to sign up for these courses, especially once the girls that are here share their success stories with other girls and show them that it can be done and done well. I am very eager to see what the future holds.”