Veronica Anderson Breaks Barriers as Mercedes‑Benz of Chicago’s First Female Technician

While many 19‑year‑olds are just starting college or still living at home, Veronica Anderson is making history as the first female technician at Mercedes‑Benz of Chicago, a Fletcher Jones company.

Graduating high school a semester early in January 2017 at 17, Veronica heard a Universal Technical Institute (UTI) representative speak at her school in Moline, Illinois, and enrolled at UTI’s Lisle campus. She completed the Automotive Technology Program, plus the Manufacturer‑Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) for Ford’s Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) and the manufacturer‑paid Mercedes‑Benz DRIVE Program at UTI’s Long Beach campus.

After finishing the program, the Fletcher Jones company took notice of her on the UTI career boards and secured a position for her before she even finished her coursework.¹

“I love what I do,” Veronica says. “In the express department I perform vehicle inspections, tire repairs, oil changes and more. Every day I wake up excited to go to work.”

Veronica is still a teenager, but she is already carving out a career that promises lasting success.

Destined for the Garage

Growing up around cars, Veronica’s father—a semi‑truck driver who also works on stock and drag cars—taught her to use a baby ratchet at the family garage. Together they built race cars, and her father, a former IMCA late‑model director, instilled a love of motorsports that never faded.

High school left her torn between accounting, law, and cars. After speaking with UTI, she chose the automotive path and signed up.

“UTI is what you make of it,” she recalls. “The facilities are top‑tier and the instructors are deeply knowledgeable. Even when I was nervous, they were supportive, answering every question and turning doubts into learning moments.”

Racing Down the Learning Track

Veronica’s early exposure to high‑performance engines led her to the FACT program, while her fascination with luxury cars drew her to the Mercedes‑Benz DRIVE program. “The fundamentals—spark plugs, cylinder heads, engine basics—are the same whether you’re working on a race car or a Mercedes,” she explains. “The only difference is the added electronics and interior sophistication in the luxury models.”

She continues to work on race cars, including a week‑long IMCA Super Nationals event that can demand up to 20‑hour days, and is preparing a street‑stock car with a 363‑cubic‑inch engine to race next year.

“Working with my dad taught me the mechanics of cars; working at Mercedes feels like a premium hobby, and I still get to spend my evenings on the projects I love,” she says.

A Leading Lady in the Field

Beyond her technical achievements, Veronica is blazing a trail for young women in the automotive industry. She recalls naysayers questioning her ability, yet she responded with confidence, turning skeptics into supporters.

During a workplace tour, a foreman joked that the other technicians had given her a code name because she was the only woman in the shop. She now has a private locker room—an office that had never been used before she joined.

“Everyone I work with is welcoming,” Veronica says. “It may take time to get comfortable, but the results are positive.”

She believes the industry’s gender imbalance stems from a lack of awareness. When she takes female friends to the track, they enjoy the experience but rarely consider a career in cars.

“Women can achieve anything they set their minds to,” she urges. “Don’t let anyone’s doubts hold you back.”

On to the Next Goal

Veronica’s ambition is already high. She plans to relocate closer to Chicago next year and expand her skill set. “I want to be efficient, meet deadlines, and learn as much as possible,” she says, noting her daily visits to the Mercedes e‑learning portal.

Among all the vehicles she’s worked on, Mercedes remains her favorite. She hopes to one day handle a C‑Class Coupe or a GT R during pre‑delivery inspections.

“This career is rewarding,” she says. “I know the customer will drive home a car that reflects my work.”

For current UTI students, Veronica advises: “Work hard, stay curious, and invest in yourself. Success comes from putting in the effort and maintaining a positive mindset.”

Learn more about UTI and the Mercedes‑Benz DRIVE program.