Not Just for Men
- NIC programs lead to role-breaking jobs. By Kaye
- Aug 18, 2016
- 2 min read
When Krystyna Zak was growing up, her dad was a regular Mr. Fix-It. She used to follow him around in his shop, asking if she could help. Once, he gave her an old radio to take apart, and though she never did manage to put it back together, she enjoyed seeing what it was made of. It was like pulling apart the pieces of a puzzle to see how they fit.
Zak’s enrollment in the Collision Repair program is notable because she is one of a growing number of female students in traditionally male-dominated programs. This year, female students are enrolled in Collision Repair, Welding, Computer Aided Design, Industrial Mechanic/Millwright and Outdoor Power/Recreational Vehicle programs at NIC.
For a while, when she wanted to change careers, Zak considered becoming a nail technician as an outlet for her creative side. But she said collision repair helps her tap into her creativity as well. NIC’s nine-month Collision Repair Technology program teaches the fundamentals of repairing damaged vehicles. It’s one of a handful of one-year collision repair programs in the Northwest, and the only one in Idaho. Upon completing the program, students emerge as body technicians or auto refinishing technicians (painters).
“Krystyna [Zak] has been such an inspiration to our Collision Repair Technology program,” said Cal DeHaas, program instructor. “She was without a doubt the respected leader within our team. What sets her apart from others, I believe, is that she genuinely cares about people and always puts others’ needs ahead of her own. Krystyna’s personality is so refreshing and contagious.”
Zak already has a job lined up for when she finishes the program. She’ll work as an estimator for a collision repair shop in Coeur d’Alene, and she’ll also have the opportunity to do some hands-on work in the shop. She’s looking forward to a new career.
For information about NIC’s Career and Technical Education programs, such as Collision Repair Technology and Computer Aided Design Technology, call 208.769.3468 or visit www.nic.edu/tech.
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