You can’t do that; you’re a girl! This is a man’s job.
We’ve all heard these remarks before; however, at the Fayette Institute of Technology, these gender stereotypes are being broken. In programs such as Automotive Tech, what’s taking place inside the classroom is very impressive, and it’s clearly having an impact on traditional workplace roles.
Mr. Drake, the Automotive Tech Instructor, says, “It’s always good to have more girls getting involved, but it is sometimes difficult at first. For example, girls are always going to have to prove themselves ten times harder than the guys, stand their ground, and show they can do it just as well as the boys.”
When asked how this class helped her confidence, Hannah N. said “I’m confident with safety control and responsibility. This class has helped me a lot in those areas.”
Lillian M. added, “I have confidence if I break down on the side of the road now. I know what to do.”
Mr. Drake says, “the more girls that are willing to get into automotive tech and other more masculine classes, the more it’s going to become a normal thing. With some students, you will always have the few who will make remarks and not enjoy having girls around because of society’s preferences for women in the workforce. But there are many who accept the fact that the girls are interested in automotive and treat them fairly. When I asked the boys in class what they thought of girls being a part of the Automotive Tech program, Ben H. made the statement, ‘They can do anything we can do.’ “
Ben H. also says, “It’s helpful to have the girls paying close attention and catching every detail in case we miss something. Every once in a while they will get stuck, and we will come to help. But almost always, the girls always stand their ground. We help each other if needed and that’s always good.”
Lillian M. “I like working with the guys. The guys give me humor and help me out. They are becoming my brothers.”
When asked what he wanted to see from his students after they graduate, Mr. Drake responded, “I want them to do what they want to do. As long as I teach them something to take with them, I’m doing my job.”
A lot of the students in this class want to go to college or a trade school to become a mechanic or something of that nature. Mr. Drake is very encouraging to them, laughing and joking around and always having his student’s backs. Most even refer to him as “their second dad.”
Mr. Drake is very easygoing, and becomes more sincere if there is a problem. “It’s humor, not anger, but it’s still a serious job. Everyone’s going to mess up, but they move on. It’s not a big deal that things happen. I treat every single one of these students as adults unless they prove they’re not worthy. Everyone is treated fair, regardless of their gender. I’m always happy to have them.”
Hannah N. says,“we learn a lot, but we have fun while doing it. We are always looking forward to going to FIT, and we will miss it immensely after graduation. You have to have an outgoing personality when working. The guys will always pick and joke around; you just have to smile and go on. In this class, the motto is ‘work hard but have fun.’ We’re human. Everyone’s gonna mess up eventually. Laugh it off, and learn from it.”