Master tech who’s changing perceptions
Meet Nelly Colón, one of Nissan’s most highly skilled U.S. service technicians
- People
Men have long held most of the engineering and technical positions in world industry, and according to UNESCO, women remain vastly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles, with access a major reason.
At
a
Nissan
dealership
outside
of
Boston,
Massachusetts,
one
Nissan
technician
is
not
just
changing
parts
on
cars,
she’s
altering
industry
perceptions.
Nelly
Colón,
a
Nissan
Certified
Master
Technician
(CMT),
has
inspired
and
mentored
other
women
to
succeed
in
a
typically
male-dominated
tech
arena.
Nissan
is
supporting
global
programs
and
mentoring
to
increase
the
number
of
women
in
STEM
positions,
crucial
to
boosting
the
share
of
female
engineers,
which
the
U.S.
government
estimates
to
make
up
less
than
13%
of
the
workforce.
Diversity
is
important
for
all
areas
of
business,
including
sharing
the
best
tech
practices
for
cars.
Auto
technicians
like
Colón
diagnose,
repair
and
maintain
cars
and
trucks,
typically
working
in
the
service
department
of
a
dealership,
independent
repair
shop,
collision
repair
facility,
or
specialized
shop.
"I tell (my team) if I can do it, you can definitely do it," Colón says. "It's empowering to know that you can do something that you've been told you couldn't."
Having more women in engineering not only promotes gender equality in the workplace, it also brings different perspectives that can boost innovation and technological growth.
Still, there are few female auto techs. A recent report from the TechForce Foundation in the U.S. said women make up just 2.5% of employed technicians, while 93% of female technicians "were discouraged from pursuing the field."
Colón's dedication mirrors her continual learning and career growth, and she’s among a small group of CMTs. She holds specialized certifications in diesel and electric vehicles, and the Nissan GT-R, while only about one in five Nissan techs hold her CMT status.
"It took me three years to achieve, though I've heard from others that it can take much longer," she says.
Nissan is focused on bringing more women into global tech roles such as Colón. At Nissan Europe, encouraging female talent to succeed in the industry is the basis of two flagship programs for young girls: GIMME (Girls in Monozukuri, Manufacturing, and Engineering) in the UK, and Inspira STEAM, which promotes scientific and technological vocations for primary school students in Spain.
In Thailand, Nissan has sponsored school students in Ayutthaya and Rayong to attend a hands-on youth camp to build STEM leadership skills. The camp was part of a partnership between Nissan, CARE International Japan, and the Raks Thai Foundation, which aimed to help some 1,200 students. Early outreach can change career paths towards tech.
Colón attended the Universal Technical Institute in Massachusetts, and at times felt like an outsider as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. Some trainees dismissed her abilities, which encouraged her to work even harder.
"They were like, ‘There's no way that she's going to be able to fix cars,'" she says. "I'm hopeful this is starting to change, but that's how my program went."
Colón now works alongside a team of women in her current role, and mentors a younger technician, service manager, and manager overseeing service departments at numerous Nissan dealerships.
From left: Colón; Alicia Mills, a young technician being mentored by Colón; Route 9 Nissan service manager Mary Parsons; and fixed operations director for 24 Auto Group Christine White.
"I believe my work has impacted my peers in a positive way," she says.
“Even though I became a master tech early in my career, I am still learning day by day.”
Colón says her time with Nissan has been a very positive, welcoming experience.
Outside of her day job, Colón and her wife stay busy training Brooklyn, their 2-year-old adopted German Shepherd; exploring the outdoors near their home; and working on various gardening and DIY renovation projects. For the latter, Colón's auto repair skills and experience have proven an apt fit for learning to take on projects around the house – including wiring, rebuilding stairs and more.
Colón's
personal
vehicle
is
a
2008
Nissan
Rogue
with
more
than
275,000
miles.
She
uses
it
to
show
customers
how
vehicles
last
when
regularly
maintained.
"If I can tear an engine apart, I can probably change a light fixture in the house," Colón says, reflecting on her aptitude to quickly learn how to work on things. "You only get one chance to do what you like, so I want to make what I do count."
