Virginia Martinez
Technical Employment Training, Inc.
San Bernardino, CA USA
"Don’t second guess yourself. There’s a reason why you’re there."
Career Roadmap
Virginia's work combines: Engineering, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I started in the manufacturing industry when I was very young, and I'm a woman. As a young woman in a male-dominated industry, I experienced a lot of Noise and discrimination. There were times that I was left wondering why my peers were so mean. I learned that they weren't mean—they just weren't used to someone like me. It was new. I found success by putting in a lot of hard work, respecting the men around me, learning as much as I could, and riding the coattails of the women who came before me.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I took a machine shop class in high school, which sparked my interest in manufacturing.
2.
I liked the machine shop but had plans to become a lawyer—I thought it would be best to learn a trade that could put me through law school and help pay for tuition.
3.
I took engineering classes at a local community college and started working part-time in a manufacturing facility at 15.
4.
Navigating a male-dominated industry, I earned respect through hard work and learning various aspects of manufacturing.
5.
I transitioned to Technical Employment Training where I found my calling in helping others find careers in manufacturing.
6.
Now, as president of operations at TET, I ensure our training program aligns with industry standards, offering students valuable credentials.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You can't succeed here because you're a woman.
How I responded:
I started in the manufacturing industry when I was very young, and I'm a woman. As a young woman in a male-dominated industry, I experienced a lot of Noise and discrimination. There were times that I was left wondering why my peers were so mean. I learned that they weren't mean—they just weren't used to someone like me. It was new. I found success by putting in a lot of hard work, respecting the men around me, learning as much as I could, and riding the coattails of the women who came before me.