Anna McKee is among a growing number of young women completing collision repair training to launch a career in the industry. Last May, Anna finished her second year of collision repair training, earning an associate's degree from Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Missouri. She is now working as an estimator for Team 1 Auto Body & Glass in St. Peters, Missouri.
I-CAR: How did you first get interested in working in the collision repair industry?
Anna: I bought a 1969 Mustang coupe when I was 16 and it became my inspiration. I wrecked it my senior year, and three weeks later, someone backed into it. So I spent a month of my senior year checking on my car in the shop, and watching the process intrigued me. Not having any idea what I wanted to study in school, I decided to try my hand at collision repair.
I-CAR: What kinds of challenges have you faced in this industry?
Anna: Being one of few women is what some people might call a challenge, but I embraced it. The most challenging part for me was getting used to the physical labor in school. But I found a job in the industry even before I graduated and started work just four days after graduation. Sometimes I find a customer who is not sure that I am qualified to write their estimate because I am the "wrong gender" but I just smile and fully explain the estimate to them as I go so they know I am competent.