By Michael Mallace
On this special episode of Eye on EVIT, I sat down with a remarkable group of young women enrolled in the Automotive Technologies program at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT). Their stories, along with the guidance of their instructor, Mr. Mota, reminded me why EVIT exists. We give students real-world opportunities, build confidence, and open doors to futures they may not have thought possible.
A Program That Prepares Students for the Real World
EVIT’s two-year Automotive Technologies program provides classroom instruction combined with hands-on shop experience. In their first year, students learn the fundamentals of how vehicles and systems operate. In the second year, they take that knowledge into the shop where they diagnose and repair cars.
Students can graduate with multiple industry-recognized certifications, including ASE student credentials, manufacturer training from Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru, as well as Hunter and Pro-Cut certifications. Safety and pollution training are also included. These credentials give EVIT graduates a strong advantage when applying for jobs.
The Students’ Journeys
What really inspired me in this conversation were the personal stories these young women shared.
Morgan, from Chandler Online Academy, grew up around racing and motorcycles. She said EVIT gave her the chance to expand that passion into cars.
Clara, a homeschool student, simply loves working with her hands and has discovered a new excitement in learning how engines operate.
Melissa, from Mesquite High, grew up fixing cars alongside her dad and knew she wanted to follow a career in the trades.
Faith, from Castille High School, has a grandfather who rebuilt Porsches and a father who dreamed of opening his own shop. Their passion inspired hers.
Talia, from Dobson High, followed in her brother’s footsteps and saw EVIT as a path to quick employment.
Riley, from Higley High, was influenced by siblings who love cars, and she wants to take what she is learning here into a dealership career.
Callie was inspired by her father’s shop work and the thrill of seeing and hearing cars out on the street.
Each of the young women I spoke with had their own unique path into the program. Some grew up working on cars with their dads or siblings, others were curious and inspired by family legacies, and some simply loved the idea of learning a skill with their hands. Their experiences are proof that passion and persistence can turn into opportunity. Each of these young women reminded me that inspiration can come from family, from curiosity, or simply from the satisfaction of working with your hands.
Learning by Doing
The program is structured around modules that progress from classroom learning to real-world application. These students attend EVIT in the afternoon, splitting their time between instruction, worksheets, and shop work.
Projects include rebuilding V6 engines, understanding four-stroke processes, and learning brake systems. Riley said she enjoyed mastering ABS brakes, while Clara found it rewarding to understand how engines operate. Melissa summed it up: “We connect what we learn in the modules to what we’re working on in the shop. It helps us understand how every part of the car system functions, individually and together.”
A Teaching Philosophy That Inspires
Mr. Mota spent decades working for Mitsubishi, Honda, and Toyota before joining EVIT. Teaching has become more than a career shift for him; it is a mission. He told me, “The most rewarding part is seeing a student who comes in knowing nothing about cars leave ready to succeed as a technician.”
He also pointed out that female students often shine in the program because they ask more questions, want to understand why systems work, and take a detail-oriented approach.
Careers and Possibilities
While national statistics suggest technicians earn about $40,000 annually, motivated EVIT graduates can quickly surpass that. Many start around $40,000 their first year, grow to $60,000 to $70,000 within a few years, and some exceed six figures after advanced training.
The students themselves have ambitious plans. Some want to work at dealerships or performance shops, others hope to start their own businesses, and a few plan to continue into higher education in business, engineering, or psychology.
Advice to Future Students
When I asked the students what advice they would give to future EVIT students, their answers were clear:
- “You get out what you put in,” said Clara.
- “Always chase more education, because automotive expands forever,” added Morgan.
- Riley emphasized the importance of focus and asking questions.
- Callie shared her dream of combining automotive, diesel, and welding training to someday run her own dealership.
Why This Matters
These students are blazing a path for the next generation of automotive professionals. They are redefining expectations and showing that EVIT prepares students not only with technical skills, but also with confidence, discipline, and opportunity.
Listen to the full episode of Eye on EVIT featuring these outstanding students this Sunday September 21st @ 7:00 AM on 88.7 The Pulse, on-line at 887thepulse.com or on-demand as a Podcast at 887thepulse.com or our apps @887thepulseAZ.
