Today, women make up nearly half
of America’s workforce, and counting – but for many years they’ve largely been concentrated in service jobs and traditional female occupations. Change is coming, however, as women move into jobs long dominated by men. Which suits these three women in Transportation programs at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges just fine. Randie, Megan and Robin made very deliberate choices to pursue their education in Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology and Truck Driving respectively. And they have no problem ‘keeping up with the boys’. In fact, all three of them exude a confidence and a bit of well-earned swagger that comes with knowing their stuff. Different in ages, backgrounds and lifestyles, they share a love of engines, speed and the power that comes from well-tuned vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Asked why she chose the Automotive Technology program, Randie Lawson gives a quick, simple answer: “Cars are fun.” In her second year with the program at Scott Community College, Randie says it’s obvious her instructors love cars, too. “They are helpful and provide a lot of information, and I like the hands-on aspect,” she adds. Currently working at a local car dealership, Randie says the skills she’s learning match up well with her job. What she’s accomplishing in the program by actually working on vehicles with a myriad of maintenance and repair problems transfers straight to job competence.
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Megan Loger, a first-year student in the SCC
Diesel Technology program, agrees. “Getting hands-on experience is what set this program apart for me,” says Megan. She looked at a number of other options and saw SCC as the clear winner. “I talked with a lot of people about where I should go for training. Everybody said SCC was the best and I’ve been happy with my decision. The instructors are really experienced and the diesel lab is great.” Megan’s husband is a truck driver and they’ve recently leased a 2018 Freightliner. “I hope to help us save on labor costs by being able to do my own maintenance and repair. Ultimately, my goal is to look into offering a roadside assistance business for truckers.” She’s looking forward to her first work co-op, which is integrated into the program curriculum. And like Randie, she’s not one bit intimidated about working in what has been a male-dominated field. “It feels good to outshine the boys,” she says with a smile. “They are shocked at what a ‘girl can do’, but I know my way around an engine and around the shop.”
For Robin Wells, soon to be a graduate of the SCC Truck Driving program, she also has a long-time connection to the field she’s about to enter. “My dad was a truck driver so I grew up around it,” she explains. “Getting behind the wheel now makes me feel powerful, and I know the program has helped prepare me to be a conscientious, capable driver,” she adds. She acknowledges the expertise and support of her instructors in the program and the hours of actual drive time as key to her optimistic outlook and validating her choice to enter the field. She feels totally ready to take her first
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