Meet The Pro: Allyson Zamayoa, Diesel Service Technician
By Arkansas Next on Monday, October 21, 2024
Hometown: Siloam Springs
Age: 19
Where I Trained: Internship at McKee Foods, as well as CDL Class B, ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling 609 Certification, JPro diagnostics software Certification and Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Technology all from Northwest Technical Institute
Job Title: Agriculture Service Technician
Employer: Rush Truck Centers
Allyson Zamayoa was inspired by her brother to become a diesel technician. She listened closely to others talk to him about the program offered at a local high school, and how physically demanding the job was. Upon realizing she wouldn’t have to spend years in college to enter the field, she was all in!
“I consistently found I would get bored or uninterested in other career paths I learned about or practiced at home,” Allyson said. “I found that diesel technicians need certain attributes that cannot be taught, such as attention to detail and dedication to your craft, to succeed—and one thing is certain, much knowledge and practice are required to be skilled in this [job].”
Allyson always enjoyed heavy lifting when exercising and the physical labor of certain jobs. Although she was intimidated at first, she was intrigued by the challenges this field offered.
At 17 years old, she graduated high school and signed up for introductory diesel tech classes at Northwest Technical Institute.
“I feel very comfortable in my career, because I know there is always an opportunity around the corner, and it's fun,” she said. “The people I work with are great.”
Allyson enjoys the new challenges that come with her job every day. Her responsibilities look different depending on what machines and automobiles are in the shop, and she enjoys learning when a new model or machine comes in.
She diagnoses transmission issues by connecting to the truck-integrated computer models while reading and interpreting the data. She also performs extensive services and inspections on a variety of vehicles and heavy-duty equipment, ranging from Ford F-360s to fire trucks.
“I found a job I love and can enjoy for years to come,” she said. “My education didn't just prepare me to become an effective technician but also opened the door for other positions in this field. So, if I do become tired of being a technician, I can use my knowledge elsewhere.”
Not only did Allyson find her career path at 17 years old, but she’s totally financially independent at 19 years old. She was able to move into her own apartment right after high school graduation and can adequately provide for herself.
“I started so young, and choosing to do something as intimidating as this job sounds at 17 years old is uncommon,” she said. “I am able to afford living [expenses] and basic necessities with no worry, all while living on my own.”
MORE ABOUT THE JOB
Education Needed:
Associate Degree
You'll Be Great At This Job Too If...
- You'd rather fix your car instead of taking it to the shop
- You are strong; friends often ask you to lend them a hand
- You enjoy working with your hands
- You like YouTube tutorials and DIY shows
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Job Demand
► Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2030; with 390 annual job openings.
► 4,130 Diesel Engine Specialists are expected to be employed in Arkansas by 2030.
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$65,520 Annual
Median wages in Arkansas (top 50%)
$48,930 Annual
WHERE TO LEARN
- Arkansas State University Mid-South
- Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Arkansas State University-Newport
- East Arkansas Community College
- Greenway Equipment
- Northwest Technical Institute
- University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College
- University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
WHERE TO WORK
- Cranford Asphalt
- Granite Mt. Quarries
- Greenway Equipment
- McGeorge Contracting
- McKee Foods
Sources: careeronestop.org
