As part of their work with C.D. Hylton High School, Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire helped 18-year old high school student Katie Tatum gain the skills and experience she needed to start out her automotive career.
Tatum, who graduated from Hylton last week, spent the year interning with Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire. She will be leaving for Ohio Technical College in July.
When looking to begin working in the field, Tatum had a hard time finding a auto repair shop that would work with her.
“Last summer, I started looking for a job in the automotive field – not only to help me with auto tech – but to also to save up money for college. A lot of places turned me down because I wasn’t eighteen yet (even though I would turn eighteen in a couple of months),” said Tatum.
According to Tatum, she learned several skills when working at Steve’s that she will use as she continues her education and work in the automotive industry.
“I have learned and will continue to learn to stand up for myself in every situation that it will be needed. Throughout life people will push you around if you have the chance of being better than they are…[I also learned] the automotive industry is way different from working in a restaurant…if you mess up a customer’s order in a restaurant, that’s okay they just make a new plate. In the shop if you mess up someone’s car, it is expensive and depending on what went wrong it can be life threatening. You need to know what you are doing so you don’t put anyone’s life or wallet at risk,” Tatum commented.
For Tatum, her time working at Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire has given her the confidence she needs to move forward.
“As a woman in a male dominated industry I now have confidence in myself and my abilities to compete and work on the same level as everyone else thanks to Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire,” said Tatum.
*This is a promoted post from Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire.
