Rather than performing daily household chores in high heels and pearls, Skyline student Julia Johnson sets herself apart from the television June Cleavers of the 1950’s. Being a wife, mother of two, and the president of Skyline’s Auto Club, Johnson represents how the women of today have progressed in many fields other than home ec.
Johnson, a Skyline auto tech student, successfully pursued her passion in the automotive industry, winning over $3,000 in scholarships. Her most recent for $600 was awarded by the Automotive Service Councils of California Educational Foundation (ASCEF).
With always having an infatuation with cars, Johnson describes the difficulties as a teen and a young woman. “Teen girls weren’t usually interested in cars back then,” says Johnson, “and being a girl, I was intimidated.”
Thinking it was best to pursue another career, Johnson studied international relations, which led her to several places, including parts of Asia and Europe. Still unable to start an automotive career, Johnson jumpstarts on other important factors of her life, including marriage and having two children. With her husband working full-time, Johnson took upon the rewarding, yet demanding career as a homemaker.
But despite her accomplishments, Johnson refused to pass muster her passion. Although leaving the college scene for 15 years, Johnson explains how being a mother incorporated gratifying lessons unattainable from any college course.
“Being a mom, having that necessity to care for kids, it changes everything about you,” says Johnson. “A part of your brain turns on and you begin to think in so many ways you didn’t before.”
After receiving a Skyline catalogue in the mail, she initiated the first steps to chase her dream once again.
Embarking on a new lifestyle, Johnson describes the hardships entailed.
“With a 3-year-old, a newborn, and a husband working full-time, it was difficult to change paths,” says Johnson. Including a hectic schedule and waiting for a vacant spot in Skyline’s daycare, it took Johnson almost two years to enroll as an auto tech student.
Despite her hardships encountered, Johnson had an incontestable support system. Dave Hill and Perry Dair, both instructors in Skyline’s automotive department, played important roles in Johnson’s decision to choose the automotive field as a career. “She’s a great student,” says Hill. “A straight ‘A’.”
According to her other previous automotive Skyline professor Paul Spakowski, in an industry being 99% male, Johnson exemplifies an excellent female ro-model.
“If I still had my shop, I’d hire her,” explains Spakowski. “She’s one of the selected group with natural ability…She’ll go as far as she wants to.”
Regardless of most students being years her junior, Johnson stands by her decision with no regrets. Pushing 40, she sees her age as an advantage. “At 38, you don’t have to deal with a lot of things like when you were younger,” says Johnson, proving that her years reflect nothing short of experience and wisdom.
A successful student, mother, wife, and soon-to-be drag racer are only a few of the many titles Johnson holds under her belt. Her advice for others solely mirrors her ambitious drive: “You have to try it out, and you may have to try more than once…Just dive in and hold your breath.”
