South Jordan Teen Plans Career As Diesel Mechanic

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – A Salt Lake County teen is taking a career path that may seem unexpected for many young girls. She’s an aspiring diesel mechanic.

The decision has helped her earn a couple of scholarships.

Put your mind to it and you can do anything. You’ve heard the saying before. Hailey Brohamer took that “can do” attitude straight to the diesel shop.

When she was younger, Hailey had much different plans.

“I wanted to be an actor, or a special effects makeup artist – but now, no. I definitely want to be a diesel mechanic,” she said.

Hailey made the switch after job-shadowing her dad in the 8th grade. You can guess what he does. When she saw him working, Hailey was hooked.

“Everything from getting my hands dirty to the way everything looks,” she said. “(It’s) just the feel of the environment, the tools.”

The job has not only been dirty, but at times has drawn blood. It’s part of the deal, and something to show off on social media.

“My first cut was on my finger, and it was on my engine that I worked on at the very beginning,” Hailey said.

She has been working up-close with Salt Lake Community College professor Mark Kranendonk, who also happens to be her grandfather.

Hailey was able to earn two scholarships in a field dominated by men, but she assured KSL that she can handle the work.

“There’s nothing that I can’t do that other people can do in this field,” she said.

Hailey Brohamer will have an associate’s degree by the time she graduates high school.