Alum Alexandra Marciniak Breaking Barriers Under the Hood

From swapping car batteries with her mom in the garage to diagnosing complex issues on high-end vehicles, Brookdale Community College graduate Alexandra Marciniak has always been drawn to the hands-on world of automotive technology. Now an automotive technician at Ray Catena, Marciniak is not only thriving in a competitive industry—she’s earning the respect of her peers and supervisors alike.

“I always wanted to be independent,” Marciniak said. “And I loved the physical aspect of working on cars. Once I got a taste of it, it was like lighting a match that just kept growing into a bigger flame.”

Her passion started young, when her mother—who taught herself household skills to avoid relying on others—began showing her the basics, from unclogging a drain to changing a car battery. That early exposure laid the foundation for a career that Marciniak found more rewarding than other traditionally “feminine” paths.

When choosing where to further her education, she was drawn to Brookdale for its supportive atmosphere, small class sizes, and a direct pathway into the trade. “A four-year school would’ve felt too overwhelming. Brookdale made sense—it offered my major, it was personal, and I got the one-on-one attention I needed.”

That decision paid off. Marciniak credits Brookdale with giving her not just technical skills but the confidence to enter a male-dominated field. “Even though I was one of the few women, my classmates never made me feel different. We worked as a team, we learned together, joked around, and supported each other.”

At Ray Catena, where she now spends her days diagnosing issues, performing repairs, and collaborating with her team, Marciniak’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“She contributes a lot to the team,” said Shop Foreman Jeff Frasco. “Alex takes a lot of notes, she’s really in tune with everything she does, and she puts in a lot of effort. That kind of accuracy and commitment is hard to find.”

When asked what qualities he looks for in a great technician, Frasco is quick to answer: “A good attitude, hands-on skills, and someone who’s willing to learn. Alex absolutely brings that to the team.”

Her typical day starts with a vanilla chai from the shop’s coffee machine, then shifts into gear as she checks her repair schedule and meets with dispatch to review tasks. Whether she’s diagnosing electrical issues or repairing engines, she approaches every job with focus and enthusiasm.

Brookdale, she says, laid the groundwork for that. “I felt prepared. Everything from diagnosing to how to navigate the workplace—they taught me the skills, and I just built on that.”

And while her success might not surprise her coworkers, it’s clear that Marciniak is quietly breaking barriers—earning her place not just in the garage, but in a growing movement of women redefining what it means to be a technician.

“I just want to keep learning and growing,” she said. “I love this work, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”