A Unique Sense of Self: Amanda Rivera Tells Women to Be Confident and Focused When Working in the Male Dominated Field of Electrical Technology

Amanda discovered a fascination with electricity in her early teens, often doing hands-on projects with her father. He encouraged her curiosity and allowed her to learn on her own as much as possible, which helped her build confidence in her abilities and sparked a clear vision for her future. Through those early experiences, Amanda realized she didn’t just enjoy working with electricity she saw it as the path she wanted to pursue in life.

Tell me about yourself.

I was born in East Los Angeles in the city of Monterey Park. My mother is originally from Guadalajara, and my father worked as a steel engineer. Later, my mother and I moved to Helendale, California, where I spent much of my childhood. I attended both elementary and high school there and lived there for nearly half of my life.

When did you first know you were interested in becoming an electrician?

I learned a great deal from the dad I grew up with, who always encouraged me to discover things for myself. One day he told me to go down into the basement where an open receptacle was exposed and change the light bulb – without explaining how to do it. He wanted me to figure it out on my own. I ended up getting shocked in the process, but instead of scaring me away, it sparked my curiosity and excitement about electricity.

Really? Didn’t it hurt?

It wasn’t the pain of being shocked that stayed with me. That moment showed me that curiosity and determination were stronger than fear; but when I first started classes I was nervous. At times I compared myself to the people around me. The other women appeared tougher, more experienced, or physically stronger. I was one of the shorter people in the class.

So how did you handle that?

First of all, I knew I was in the right place. I felt confident that I belonged there. The real question became how could I continue to grow and prove to myself that I could succeed in this field? You meet many different personalities, and there can be distractions sometimes. You may come across guys who try to pull your attention in another direction; but I reminded myself that I’ve worked very hard to be there. I stayed grounded in my purpose – to learn and build the career I’ve set my mind on. I kept my focus on my goals and continued to move toward the dream I chose to pursue.

Did their interest in you eventually calm down?

Yes, over time it calmed down. Whether you’re serious or not, some people will make their own assumptions at first. I knew I was there for a reason. Along the way, you come across many great supporters, and at times you may also face challenges, but both become part of the experience that helps you grow.

Do you think they felt insecure having you there?

It wasn’t really about their insecurity, it had more to do with their ego. I didn’t let that distract me. I knew my worth. I knew I belonged and I focused on what I came there to do.

Where do you think this confidence in yourself came from?

I’ve always had a strong sense of who I am, even from a very young age. I think it was something I was born with.

What have you learned are the qualities in your personality that make you a good technician?

It’s good to learn the hard way, to struggle because you see so many perspectives, so many scenarios. You learn so much. And when it gets difficult you can still give yourself credit for the experience. Not a lot of people do that. Don’t let negative thoughts get to you. Failure is sometimes a process that leads to the next most challenging thing.

What was your favorite thing about school?

All of it! But my favorite thing was my teacher Mr. Gardner. He got who I was. He saw the potential in me. And I was lucky to have him the whole time.

That’s good to know teachers do their best to treat each student fairly.

I experienced a powerful lesson in fairness. When I was president of the trades club, the vice president and secretary – both male students – were working on a project together and concluded that I had sabotaged it by cutting a wire, even though I hadn’t touched it. The instructor had been observing their behavior toward me. He admitted to the young men that he had cut the wire himself to show them the importance of not jumping to conclusions and placing blame unfairly. It was a powerful lesson in teaching them respect, equality, and thoughtful judgement.

Do you see women’s involvement growing in the electrical field in the near future?

Yes. When I started, most of the women in the field were older than me. Now, there are many more younger women coming after me.

What would you say to those women who have the intelligence and yet are hesitating because the industry right now is still dominated by men?

Be confident and stand your ground. Even in a male-dominated industry, trust your skills and knowledge. You may face setbacks, but each time you recover you become stronger. Stay focused on your goals, keep pushing forward, and let your determination and ability speak for themselves.

What’s your next step?

I’m going back to school to study Electrical Engineering.