From Passion to Power Tools: Meet Our Most Recent Tech Hires!
Not every new grad is walking across the stage in heels and heading straight to a desk job. Some are stepping into steel-toe boots and heading for the garage.
Introducing Maggie “Smith” Smith and Alexandria “Alex” Shelton, two fierce SheCANics who’ve turned their love for cars into purpose-driven careers. Their journeys are real, raw, and a whole lot relatable especially if you’ve ever felt like you wanted something more than just a degree.
Discover how these two women followed very different paths that led them both to become technicians at Girls Auto Clinic.
Smith: Turning Wrenches and Breaking Stereotypes
It all started with a high school engine class. That’s where Smith caught the bug, grease, gears, and the thrill of fixing what’s broken. Still, her parents thought it was best for her to go to a 4 year university to get her degree.
However, Smith knew what she wanted early on: to become a technician. But the “how” part? That’s where Girls Auto Clinic stepped in.
“I saw a post about Girls Auto Clinic on social media and I reached out to Patrice told her my story. She gave me the opportunity to get hands-on experience and grow in this profession. It’s the best work culture I’ve ever been in—everyone has your back, and at some point, they just feel like family.”
Last July, she became a tech-in-training at GAC, while also finishing her mechanical engineering degree at Lehigh University (Patrice’s alma mater) and leading the Formula 1 Race Club like the total powerhouse she is.
Smith isn’t waiting to be told she belongs. She’s proving it, every day—hood up, tools in hand. We’re proud to have her join us at Girls Auto Clinic.
Hear from Smith about her reasons for becoming an auto tech and what its like to work at Girls Auto Clinic!
Alex: A Childhood Hobby Turned Full-Time Hustle
For Alex, the garage was never off-limits. She grew up wrenching with her dad and brother in the driveway.
However, being a technician didn’t seem like a realistic job for her. She went to college at Towson University and later transferred to West Chester University for criminology. She also took several online classes for business and entrepreneurship.
During all this she wasn’t just maintaining her own PT Cruiser convertible, she was helping friends get back on the road with a ratchet set and raw grit. She thought to herself,
“Cars are like giant LEGOs… I could be a mechanic.”
That spark that led her to pivot from business classes to automotive tech. A visit to Delaware County Community College introduced her to scholarships, women mentors, and eventually, Patrice Banks herself.
Patrice spoke at my college recently and I gathered the courage to ask her a question after her keynote address.
That conversation? It led to an internship. Then a part-time lube tech gig. Now, she’s walking into May 2025 with two Automotive Technology Certificates, academic awards, and a full-time position as a Certified Automotive Technician at Girls Auto Clinic.
She’s got skill, drive, and a passion for making space for more women in the shop.
Listen to Alex speak on her experience at Girls Auto Clinic.
Summer Interns: Amaya and Ariana
Amaya and Ariana
Amaya (Maya)
Ariana
Say hello to our Summer Interns—Ariana & Amaya!
These future Shecanics are already revving up their skills in the shop, and we are HERE FOR IT.
👩🏽🏫 Ariana is a 16-year-old powerhouse from Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. She’s a robotics queen, space nerd, pianist 🎹, and crew athlete 🚣🏽♀️. She's heading into her junior year with dreams of becoming an engineer and automotive tech!
🎓 Amaya (Maya) is 18 years old and just graduated from Delcastle Technical High School in Delaware. She has been wrenching on cars since she was a teen. She's a varsity softball player 🥎, National Honor Society member, and is heading to Arizona State University this fall to study Mechanical Engineering! YES girl! 👏🏽
Both ladies are obsessed with Formula 1 🏎️ and couldn’t wait to get their hands dirty at GAC. We’re SO excited to have them in the shop learning, growing, and showing off their skills.
Ready to start learning like Smith and Alex? Enter the GAC Car Care Workshop Plus
You don’t need to be in a classroom or under the hood every day to start learning. If you’ve ever wanted to understand your own car better—to feel confident lifting the hood, checking your brakes, or changing that air filter—this is for you.
Girls Auto Clinic Car Care Workshop Plus isn’t just another class. It’s a full-on, hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves experience built for people who are serious about taking charge of their car care.
Here's what you get with Workshop Plus:
✅ Guaranteed seat in GAC’s famous workshop (no more waitlists!)
🕓 4-hour immersive experience with your vehicle—checking tire alignment, brakes, air filters, and more
🔧 Real-time instruction on the most common car repairs, how to spot issues, and what they actually cost
🧰 Swag bag of tools and goodies you’ll actually use
📘 Signed copy of The Glove Box Guide from CEO Patrice Banks
🛒 Discounts at the SheCANic and GAC online store
🎟️ Optional guest pass (bring a buddy 12+ for $75)
Just bring your car, wear comfy clothes, and be ready to get your hands a little dirty.
This is not a lecture, it’s a learning session on wheels, built for everyday drivers who want to be in control. Confidence starts under the hood.
Why This Matters
Smith and Alex didn’t just stumble into this career. They fought for it, they showed up, and they reached out for help when they needed it.
Girls Auto Clinic gave them more than jobs; it gave them direction, mentorship, and a community that believes in women turning wrenches, fixing cars, and leading change.
You don’t have to be a mechanic to be a SheCANic.
A shecanic is inspired to learn about her car!
Final Word
So whether you’re a new grad figuring it out, someone ready to pivot careers, or just tired of pretending you know what your mechanic is talking about this is your sign.
Take the workshop.
Join the movement.
And remember car knowledge isn’t just power. It’s freedom.
🔧 Reserve your spot in the GAC Car Care Workshop Plus now. You’ll walk away with skills, tools, and a whole lot more confidence.
And hey bring a friend. Let’s make car care something we talk about at brunch.