North Dakota High School Student Finds Her Calling at Local Valvoline

A high school student in Bismarck, North Dakota, has found her calling at the local Valvoline Instant Oil Change, KFYR reports.

17-year-old Brynn Wimmers has always been more interested in working with her hands than sitting at a desk handling paperwork. After joining the team at the West Divide Valvoline, she’s embarked on the beginning of a fulfilling career.

Wimmers works upstairs, checking vehicles’ fluid and oil levels and air filters before performing oil changes. Being in the midst of the winter season, it’s a busy time at the shop right now, prompting Wimmers to caution drivers to be up-to-date on tire rotations and their vehicle’s coolant.

Balancing her time as both a high school student and a lube tech, Wimmers is a diligent worker. Though the work comes naturally to her, some people have expressed surprise at seeing a young girl working in an automotive shop.

“The biggest struggle I’ve had is with people going, ‘Oh, they let girls work here?’” said Wimmers.

Despite the different reactions she’s received, she remains undeterred, feeling that her presence as both a young person and a girl offers her unique advantages in a traditionally male-dominated field.

West Divide Valvoline Assistant Manager Melvin Taitano recognizes that Wimmer being there is nice to see for their female clients that come through and also serves as a reminder that there is nothing about the work she does that should be restricted to any one gender.

“It’s a little bit more encouraging for the female guests that come through knowing that it’s not just a bunch of males telling them what to do,” explained Taitano. “There’s females involved, and a male doesn’t have to take care of your vehicle. There’s females out there who can do the job.”