(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A Chicago area woman is not just fixing furnaces. She’s breaking stereotypes and hoping to spark a warm wave of inspiration for others.
Sarah Paiz is a Northshore company’s first female graduate of their apprentice program and said showing up at people’s doors has been positive.
“I’ve had a lot of positive experiences where a lot of people are like, ‘oh my God, this is amazing,’” Paiz said.
She graduated top of her class, and her company figured out how to work around getting her uniform, shoe and gloves for her 4 '11 stature.
“At first, they didn’t know how to order for me,” she laughed.
While the Bureau of Labor and Statistics show there aren’t many female HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) techs, Sarah said it’s usually a woman opening the door to let her in.
“I show up to houses and still ring doorbells because my mindset is like, ‘there might be a baby sleeping or napping or dogs…’ Most of the time that actually is the story,” said Paiz.
It’s shown customers’ kids that it’s a possible career for anyone.
“Specifically little girls, 6, 7-year-old girls, they’ll stare at me, almost when they see me, they’re like, ‘whoa!’ Paiz said.
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