Her Story
About Kim
I fell into the automotive field somewhat unexpectedly. Before college, I was working as a dietitian's assistant at a nursing home, and I had bought an old Audi that I had to learn to fix myself. The summer before starting college, I went to interview for a detailing job at a local dealer because detailing is one of my passions. On my way to the interview, a friend had a flat tire and I helped change it, which made me 15 minutes late. When I explained to the service manager what happened, he was amazed that I could change a tire and asked what else I could do. I told him I did my own oil changes, changed my own radiator, and did my own valve cover gasket. He immediately wanted to send me to school to be a technician. I remember my mom cried when I told my parents because she thought it was horrible, but my dad was so excited. I worked as a technician for 8 years, then went through leadership training with Graponi Automotive Group where I worked for 19 years. Now I've been in my current position at Lakes Region Community College for 5 years, running the T10 program and training the next generation of Toyota and Lexus technicians.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kim
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've had so many supporters along the way that have just helped me. There's obviously an immense amount of challenges being a lady in automotive, and I've just been lucky to have amazing mentors and support people that 100% of the time, they're behind me. Any obstacle I come up against, there's somebody that's got my back helping me push through, so I'm very lucky.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Back when I went flat rate, my service manager looked at me and he said, Kim, you're either gonna sink or you're gonna swim, and we're gonna find out. And I feel like I live that day in and day out, but I just keep swimming. Like they said in Finding Nemo, just keep swimming. Just keep your head down, and keep working hard, and don't let anybody make you feel like you don't belong.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can do it. Your abilities as a woman, your attention to detail, and just how your brain works - you're gonna be extremely successful. Don't feel like you can't be here just because there's not many of us. If you're a lady in the automotive field and you need advice, feel free to reach out.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges, for sure. Most of the time when I walk into a room, I'm the only lady. But I also see that as a great opportunity to encourage more women to be in the field. For every room that I can walk into and represent us, I let them see that they, too, can do what I do, and not to shy away from it. I'm the only female auto instructor for college level in the state of New Hampshire. Nationally, I think we're up to 4 ladies out of 35 schools, so that's a pretty low number. Hopefully I can just encourage people.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is super important, especially in automotive. You want to make sure that you're looking out for your customers, and right now, the dealerships and my students, and everybody is my customer, so I want them to know that I've got their back 100%. I just want to help people be successful. I want to give the ladies in the field a voice that maybe they don't feel like they have. I've been told I'm a servant leader, for sure.
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