Stephanie Martinez
Senior Coordinator, OEM & Product Development
SEMA Garage
Diamond Bar, CA USA
“If a woman can follow her passion, do it, be successful in it, and live her dream, that’s success.”
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Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Currently serving as the Senior Coordinator at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, CA where she is in charge of overall logistics.
Originally wanted to become a cosmetologist, but after getting pregnant at a young age, she felt she needed a more steady paycheck.
She started out by bouncing around different companies in their customer service departments, until she eventually landed a job at Yokohama Tires.
With that job, she says she “fell” into the auto industry—worked her way up at Yokohama for the next ten years learning everything she could about cars.
Encountered a lot of gender bias early on; for one interview, she was blindfolded and tested on whether she could identify tires by their tread, which was not something they did to male applicants.
Viewed it as a personal challenge to see if she could do it—ended up feeling empowered by the fact that she was the only woman in her department.
Says that first impressions have often worked against her—she constantly struggles to gain people’s trust and prove that she does know what she’s talking about.
Believes that women interested in going into the auto industry are lucky because they have the benefit of a growing pool of women who are genuinely interested in helping you succeed.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Associate's Degree
Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
Career
Senior Coordinator, OEM & Product Development
I coordinate all logistics for the SEMA Garage including billing, budgeting, and any other administrative needs.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Engineering
Technology
Accomplishing Goals
Day to Day
I run all of the logistics at the Garage. My day is spent dealing with an influx of people calling, emailing, or visiting the Garage in hopes of making their own automotive dream a reality. Its really a place where our sole purpose is to help our members achieve their goals.
Skills & Qualities Beyond School
Networking, although this industry seems huge it really is a small community of people who can offer a lot of help, advice, and direction. Make you sure you are asking questions, taking business cards, and making connections, you can always reach out to someone and they may know someone else who can help get you where you want to go.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
I know its hard but try to find your passion now and then focus on that passion in college. Don't waste your time. You don't want to get stuck in something you aren't passionate about for very long.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"Your interview is going to be harder because you are woman, but we need to know you can handle this job. "
Challenges I Overcame
Learning Issues
Gender Discrimination
Interviewed By
Changing Gears
Technicians Roadtrip
