A TikToker revealed all the reasons why life as a female mechanic can be quite tough, highlighting what she faces in the male-dominated industry.
Kirsten Vaughn, from the US, took to the video sharing platform to discuss the trials and tribulations of living her dream amid constant doubts.
Her video received huge support from her 1.3 million followers who echoed her sentiments – with one revealing that they too had to “fight all the way” in the auto technician industry.
In a step-by-step guide, Kirsten began by telling exactly what a woman had to do to gain entry into the field.
She said that if you want to be a mechanic, you have to get a job as a lubricant technician or go to school.
Kirsten Vaughn, from the US, has revealed all the reasons why life as a female mechanic can be quite tough, highlighting what she faces in the male-dominated industry
She added that whether you start your mechanical training in a classroom or not, you have to gain quite a bit of experience.
She further quantified her experience by publicizing the gender ratio in her industry and calling it a “boys’ club”—which certainly didn’t sound very promising.
“It seems to be quite a common thread,” she said.
She added, “Not all boys will be bad, but most shops are boys’ clubs.”
“You will also have people who will doubt you.”
“I was questioned all the time in college by some of my professors simply because I was a woman.”
She continued, “You are going to be patronized. People are going to think you’re a unicorn just because you’re doing an oil change, which is a bolt’.
As a woman in the industry, Kirsten warned would-be gearheads to be wary of wage differentials, revealing that starting out would be “difficult” and that most shops in the US would charge you for your own tools.
She explained that if your shop offers you a flat rate right away, it will also be difficult because as a starter you will be slower compared to the shop’s other mechanics.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom, the influencer reassured her followers and advised them to take it easy as mistakes would happen from time to time.
Responses have been largely supportive, with fellow TikTokers praising the woman for her perseverance and honesty.
One viewer wrote: ‘Very good tips. All extremely accurate’.
And echoing this feeling, another added, “I feel you on a whole level.”
“I’ve been in the car since college and have had to fight all the way. Now I have my dream job. Keep it up!’
The viral video comes as another female mechanic recently revealed “four things she couldn’t hear at work anymore” — including people who mistook her for a receptionist instead of a mechanic.
Natalie Hope, from the UK, went viral on TikTok after opening up about the everyday sexism she experienced at work.
The Audi mechanic posted a video of the most common responses she received from customers.
Surprisingly, Natalie shone the light on her fellow women who she claimed made assumptions about her role in the male-dominated workplace.
“I asked for a mechanic, not a receptionist” were just a few of the astonishing responses she received in the workplace.
In addition, Natalie said men often talked to her and asked to speak to one of her male colleagues instead.
She revealed that middle-aged men even asked for the opposite sex, commenting, “That’s okay honey, I’ll wait for one of the guys.”
The popular video has since been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on TikTok.