August 26, 2013 - Mom Makes a Career Out of MINIs

UTI gradute Andrea Ridgeway fell in love with MINI's and turned her passion into a career.

At 5 feet 2 inches tall and with a smile on her face every day, UTI-Orlando graduate, Andrea Ridgeway,has a lot in common with the car brand she loves — the MINI Cooper. Both can be described as small, fun and unconventional. A recent graduate of MINI’s Service Technician Education (STEP) program, a manufacturer-specific advanced training program offered at the Orlando campus, Ridgeway is excited to start her career as an entry-level auto technician at Royal Automotive Group’s MINI of Tucson, Ariz.

As a wife and mom of two boys (ages 6 and 2), Ridgeway’s road to career success was challenging — but also fun and well worth the journey. The 28-year-old served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2007 as an active duty transportation technician and was a stay-at-home mom before deciding to pursue her “mini” passion, with her family’s encouragement.  
“I fell in love with the MINI the same way everyone else in my generation did, through the 2003 version of the movie The Italian Job,” said Ridgeway. “The more I researched and learned about the history of this amazing car, the more I grew to love it.”

She translated that passion into a career by enrolling in UTI’s 51-week core automotive program in late 2011. Upon graduation, she was accepted into the Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs BMW Fast Track (12 weeks) and Ford Fact (15 weeks). She then enrolled in another one of UTI’s competitive MSAT programs – MINI STEP, an 11-week course designed to train high-quality technicians for MINI dealers. Ridgeway excelled and was the Orlando campus finalist for the prestigious Roger Penske Outstanding Student Award from the UTI Foundation.

A Woman in the Auto Industry

“People often ask me about being a female technician in the automotive industry,” said Ridgeway. “My advice is that if it’s something you want to do, go for it. But don’t pursue it to prove a point or try to be better than someone else. Be the best you can be and follow what you love, and success will follow you — regardless of your gender or any stereotypes that may come your way.”

As she neared graduation, Ridgeway targeted dealerships in the regions where she wanted to work. Plenty were interested in her skill set — including MINI of Tucson. As coincidence would have it, the shop foreman, Robert Feeney, met Ridgeway while attending a training class at UTI’s Orlando campus. She stayed in touch with him about her interest in employment, which led to a job offer that came close to graduation.

“When I interviewed Andrea, I knew we had found the best candidate for the job. She impressed our team so much, that we made her an offer on the spot,” said Feeney. “It’s very refreshing to have females pursuing positions in the repair side of the industry, and we encourage it. At MINI of Tucson, we’re no strangers to women in the industry. Our Service Advisor Gloria Holguin is one of the best, if not the best Service Advisor, in the Royal Dealer Group.”

Ridgeway and her family recently moved from Florida to Arizona for her new position as an entry-level technician. Her chosen career path offers plenty of potential. Over the next five years, MINI Cooper dealerships anticipate a 50 percent nationwide growth in the demand for technicians.

“I had the best experiences at UTI and graduated with a wealth of education, networking and friendships,” said Ridgeway. “I feel like I’ve always had a connection to the MINI Cooper, so I’m glad that I’m able to do what I love. And with UTI’s help, I’m now ready to hit the road and work.”