Breaking Barriers, One Tire at a Time

When Sam Bullock signed up for the Auto Tech Program at Chantilly High School, she was not particularly passionate about working on cars. At the time, she needed the class to graduate.

“I took it as an elective,” says Sam. “I just wanted the credits.”

Then Sam met Mr. Little, the program instructor, who taught her the basics. Mr. Little shared an interactive, hands-on approach to teaching that Sam really enjoyed.

“He made mechanics really fun,” remembers Sam. “I got to learn a lot.”

Mr. Little must have seen potential in Sam, because he encouraged her to apply for a summer job at Pohanka Acura. Sam was somewhat apprehensive but decided to go for it. With Mr. Little’s help, she set up a job interview with Pohanka Acura Shop Foreman Mike Urick.

Sam did not go to the interview alone. Her dad joined her.

“He had to,” advises Sam. “I was 17 [years old], so he [had to be] in the room with me.”

Sam may have been younger than the average technician, but she impressed Mr. Urick enough that he gave her a chance. It may have helped that Mr. Urick could relate—about 30 years ago, he completed the same auto tech class at Chantilly High School, and he too was 17 when he started working at Pohanka Acura.

In 2023, Sam started her new summer job as an express tech. Perhaps in part because she was the only woman in an all-male shop, she describes her first day as “a little intimidating.”

Also, as is often the case with new jobs, there were a lot more questions than answers.

“I didn’t know what to wear,” says Sam. “I didn’t have a uniform yet. I wore my Chantilly [High School] shirt, and I got Walmart pants.”

Proper work attire aside, Sam got started, and under the supervision and mentorship of James Hong, she quickly adjusted to the challenges and fast pace of the job.

“I tried to learn as much as I could,” says Sam. “I was a little quiet at first, but everyone was really friendly.”

But not overly friendly. “[Mr. Hong] would quiz me on what I should be doing,” says Sam, recalling the many components of an accelerated service bay. “It was hard at first, but I

realized that I can just be myself. And people will happily help you if they see that you’re actually trying and that you want to learn.”

Part of being herself required overcoming some early challenges with what Sam calls “the physical aspect” of the job. In the beginning, Sam found it difficult to lift a tire. Regularly going to the gym certainly helped. She also developed a somewhat unique tire-raising method.

“If you lift a tire,” says Sam, “a lot of the guys just pick it up. But I did cheerleading for a little bit [in high school], so I put it on my knee and hoisted it onto my shoulder. Kind of like where you hold a girl up and grab their foot and then their ankle. I basically do that to a tire. I grab the tire then hold the rim and put it on my shoulder.”

Those in the shop and elsewhere may wonder who taught Sam how to master this technique. Mike Urick? James Hong? Mr. Little?

“I learned that myself,” said Sam.

Sam has learned enough by now that she is currently servicing approximately 10 cars in 5 hours in the accelerated service bay all by herself. She does brake flushes, oil changes, rotations, filters, and, of course, lifts and changes tires.

“I love the groove,” says Sam.

After her summer job, Sam intends to keep learning. She will be enrolling at James Madison University, on its main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is interested in Information Systems, which she intends to pursue as a major. It’s not exactly the same thing as working on cars, but it’s close.

“They both require problem solving, and puzzle pieces,” says Sam. “I want to be innovating.”

Sam Bullock is learning, problem solving and innovating a lot these days. She is already an important member of the Pohanka Acura team, and a lot of people at the company have taken notice. We wish her the best this summer and beyond.