UNOH Grad Makes Headlines in Her Hometown

Posted on Wednesday, July 10, 2024

2019 UNOH Graduate Victoria Carl

Written by Contributing Columnist Melanie Barnas-Simmons

In the five years since Victoria Carl graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio, she has accomplished quite a bit. Her drive and hard work were evident from the moment she arrived on campus in August of 2017. Victoria doubled up on classes to receive both her Agricultural Equipment Technology and Diesel Technology associate degrees in less than two years. On top of that, she worked on a farm milking cows every day.

After graduation, Victoria returned to her hometown of Voorheesville, NY, just west of Albany. It wasn’t long before this newly minted graduate became a business owner. She and her mother purchased a local auto shop in April of 2020 and renamed it Carl’s Advanced Automotive and Truck Repair. 

Victoria reflects on her experience at UNOH, which helped fuel her desire to keep learning and growing. “It wasn’t easy often being the only female in a class of guys. However, once they realized my strengths, they flocked to me. We learned that you don’t have to be good at everything but when you work as a team and help each other, that’s where the magic happens.”

Since jumping in with both feet, Victoria has learned a lot about running a business and is excited to have the opportunity to engage more women in the industry. She hosts regular classes for other women about basic car care how to discuss repairs that may be needed on their own vehicles. She hopes to mentor female students in the BOCES program she attended in high school along with students at UNOH. She did not have a lot of female role models to turn to when she was in their shoes.

Victoria is grateful to her instructors at UNOH, who, she says, adapted to her learning style and really made sure she got the most out of every class. Her biggest piece of advice for current students and young alumni is to level up on your networking.

“Every connection you make is important. Your roommates, classmates, and teachers can all help you get where you want to be. You also need to be the person that others can lean on.”

Victoria is looking to add talented technicians to the Carl’s Advanced Automotive and Truck Repair team. You can learn more about the shop at: https://carlsautoandtruckrepair.com/. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

This past May, a local news report from the Spectrum News Station in Albany featuring Victoria’s story won an Edward R. Murrow Award. Check out the feature here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnBszFMHE7E

Category: Applied Technologies, Campus & Community

Keywords: Agricultural Equipment, Diesel Technology, Alumni, Business Owner