Jenni’s rant for females in the Industry

Right from the start I knew being a girl wanting to do collision repair, I was going to be the odd one out. It kept me back from realizing my dream. I am not a feminist who needs to prove women should be able to do exactly what a man can do, and as well, I just know what I love and won’t let condescending public expectations stand in my way.. Honestly I was frightened to death of a class full of guys. But I enrolled anyway and sure enough a class full of 9 guys and me. So awkward, and I’m not a confident social person to begin with. The first semester I felt shunned and left out, even though I was voted class leader(I’m pretty sure that was only so I’d be in charge of cleanup). I felt I had to work twice as hard to get it because I had no background in cars or tools really. The second semester was better, some of the students had dropped out or failed and I felt better that I could do this.
At the start of the second year, I was able to become a student worker for the morning class and I saw that there was another girl. I was so happy that I couldn’t wait to meet her, hoping that in some weird way we could connect just on the fact that we’re girls overshadowed by guys. I figured she’d feel left out as well, and since I’d been though that and come out ok that she could get a little encouragement to continue. I’d hoped also to do a project together that she could learn on and would be something she could enjoy. I just wouldn’t want some guys to be the reason any girl would miss out on a great shot at the future.