Syerra Ferguson: Krusen Motors

MT. PLEASANT — Syerra Ferguson had always wanted to work on cars like her mechanic father, but never thought she would get much closer than automotive insurance.

Just four short months ago, Ferguson’s husband convinced her to take a huge leap in the right direction.

As a service adviser for Krusen Motors, however, Ferguson feels that her dreams might not be nearly as far fetched as she had once thought.

“I’ve always loved cars and working on them! Now that I’ve got one foot in the door, I want to keep going,” Ferguson said.

For now, she enjoys the position she fulfills as somewhat of a car-tech translator and mechanic’s nurse.

“I collect data from customers regarding their vehicle issues, and relay that information to the techs in tech language,” she said.

While she can’t diagnose what exactly is happening with a vehicle, she can usually help customers understand some of the basics.

“I also put together estimates for our customers and explain what component failed, why it failed, and how to fix it,” Ferguson said.

“I love working with the community here in Mount Pleasant,” she said. “Since moving here I have met lots of wonderful people and I’m so happy to be here to help them. It’s stressful when something goes wrong with your vehicle and I’m happy to be here to help make the process as smooth as possible.”

As a woman in the automotive industry, Ferguson feels she can give other women some additional peace of mind when dealing with car issues.

“When other women come into the service drive and have questions I think being a girl makes other girls feel comfortable and eases the stress of the visit,” she said.

“Women can bring a very unique skill set when it comes to the feeling they provide guests with,” Krusen Motors General Manager Kyle McKinizie agrees.

While Ferguson admits that first impressions as a woman might not give everyone immediate confidence in her abilities, “as soon as the conversation starts and they see my knowledge about the field, they’re comfortable with who I am and what I do.”

“Not once have I felt less than equal with co-workers or inferior with customers,” she said.

She is surprised she hasn’t had to work at all to earn her place among her co-workers, however.

“I have been surprised by the acceptance of who I am in my role,” Ferguson said. “I thought I would hear more comments about being a girl in this industry, and thankfully it’s never been brought up by anyone. I’m thankful for that because my confidence has grown tremendously!”

She loves it.

“There is always something to learn in the automotive industry,” she said. “Vehicles are changing at a rapid pace and everyone in this industry has to be up to date on a lot of knowledge.”

While she can help customers through some of their worst car repair nightmares, Ferguson admits she is a very stereotypical woman when it comes to spiders.

“I’m morbidly afraid of spiders, I say that mainly to warn people that they have to be the one to squish it,” she said.

As long as you keep your arachnids to yourself, she will happily help you keep your car in proper working order.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com