Olivia Jean Bignall thought she wanted to become a teacher — until she stepped into the classroom.
“I left every day with a migraine,” Olivia Jean said. “It just wasn’t the right fit for me.”
When she started thinking about what to do next, the answer was closer than she realized.
Growing up, Olivia Jean was always around vehicles and machinery. Her family runs a body shop up north, and while she felt comfortable in that environment, she never pictured herself working in the industry professionally.
“It was kind of viewed as something only my male family members did,” Olivia Jean said. “Then I saw the apprenticeship and thought, ‘I could totally do that.’”
Now training to become a mechanic through a three-year apprenticeship program, Olivia Jean says she’s finally found the kind of work that fits her.
“Compared to teaching, it’s a lot quieter and more focused,” she said. “A lot of the work is really about solving problems on your own.”
That mix of independence and teamwork is one of the things she enjoys most.
“I like to talk, but I’m not always the biggest people person,” Olivia Jean said. “This kind of work gives you both.”
Still early in the program, Olivia Jean has especially enjoyed brake work and is beginning to learn more about engines and powertrain systems.
“It feels like a really big puzzle,” she said.
Looking back, the transition now feels natural.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Olivia Jean said. “This feels much more like the type of work I was looking for.”