WHEN Ashley Wellington enrolled at HEART/NSTA Trust to pursue a level three programme in motor vehicle repair, she stood as the lone female amidst her peers. Undeterred by this reality and refusing to let gender stereotypes dictate her moves, she pressed on, graduating at the top of her class.

The course of study was not unusual for Wellington who shared that during her childhood she was not like most girls who enjoyed playing with dolls. Instead she was a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) girl at heart, fascinated with the inner workings of cars and all things technology.

“I’ve always been a person that likes tomboy-type things. My father likes to work on his car and I always used to love watching him and helping him work on his car — and that is really what inspired me to do auto mechanics because I really enjoyed it,” the 21-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.

Her father, Shaun Wellington, said that he was surprised his daughter had such great interest in cars but enjoyed every moment they spent together tinkering with engines and fine-tuning transmissions.

“It was very fascinating for me to see her working on vehicles. When she used to be working on cars I actually took photos of her because I knew it was an anomaly. It proved to be a good bonding period for father and daughter when we can do things together,” he said.

He added that his daughter also loved to attend car meets and watch Formula 1 races as she was excited by the speed and power of the vehicles.

After graduating high school in 2020 Wellington said she had a year before starting university, and decided to use that time to pursue a skill at HEART. She recalled that in her auto mechanics class she was the only female among 15 males.

“Of course I got a lot of attention, but it was good; I enjoyed the classes. Even though I was the only female, I was always comfortable. No one ever made me feel uncomfortable, and it was a good time for me to just build confidence,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Determined to demonstrate that women can excel in any field, she said she ignited her relentless work ethic which quickly set her apart and earned her multiple accolades when she completed the programme.

“I wasn’t expecting it but, looking back at all my achievements, I realise that I am an overachiever. I just did my best and I came out on top, and I am just grateful for that. I got eight academic awards and a trophy that recognises me as the most outstanding student for the 2021 batch so I felt very humbled and very grateful to have received all of that,” she said.

Noting that women are under-represented in science and technology fields, Wellington urged young women to enter the industry.

“The sky is the limit. In the STEM field we need more women because women, we’re smart, and we’re capable, and there is no limit to what we can do and can achieve in this field — even though it is male-dominated,” said Wellington.

Her father shared that he was a bit sceptical when she told him that she wanted to pursue auto mechanics as a skill, because he always envisioned his daughter in the medical field.

“Once I found out that wasn’t her interest I thought it wise to let her choose what she wants to do because she is the one who has to live with herself,” he said.

“I did have my doubts but she really shut me up with all of the accomplishments she had there,” he said, laughing. “She has proven that whatever she decides to do, she does it really well.”

He proudly shared that his daughter is also a talented musician who plays the clarinet and the piano, but her love for the sciences and technology is paramount.

Currently a third-year student at Northern Caribbean University, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science — her love for information technology having been formed when she was first introduced to the subject

“I’ve always been drawn to knowing how things work, technical things and hands-on work — anything to do with technology, really,” she said, adding that it does get a bit challenging at times but that she never backs down from a fight.

Wellington said her ultimate goal is to become a cyber security analyst, but the door to the world of auto mechanics remains open.