Fluent in Russian. Serviced in the Army. Posesses a bachelor's degree in Russian linguistics. Not the qualifications of your average technician. But then again, there's nothing average about Shanna Leeland. Currently, she's one of only 12 women in the U.S. who is NATE-certified.

Leeland is a service technician at W.E. Welch & Associates in Ijamsville, MD. For three years, she's been designing duct work, offering job estimates, providing equipment training for new owners, and developing curriculum to present during weekly training sessions for her co-workers. In her spare time, Leeland teaches HVAC 1 at nearby Montogomery College. She also continues to expand her own education by attending classes and seminars across the nation. To date, she has earned TRANE factory certification, ARI ICE certification and EPA universal certification. However, she is especially proud of her most recent accomplisment -- achieving NATE certification.

"I paraded my certificate around the office for everyone to see. And then I challennged all my co-workers to prove their knowledge by taking the test," recalled Leeland. She is the first NATE-certified tech amongh the company's 125 employees.

Confronting Challenges Is a Way of Life

"I chose this industry because I'm a problem solver. I must have challenges. I have to keep moving and have to work with my hands," said Leeland. While Leeland has built a solid business reputation, she still feels the pressure to prove her knowledge and demonstrate her skills.

"My biggest challege since joining this industry has been finding a proper bathroom!" she joked. However, the reality is that earning respect from peers and customers has taken a long time.

Leeland works for a family-owned buisness; her father is her boss. "I knew at a pretty early age that I wanted to join the industry. But my dad did not want to pigeonhole me. He encouraged me to go to college and explore other options." She earned her college degree, but her heart was in HVAC.

On the Job

When Leeland makes a service call, she typically experiences two kinds of reactions. She says that men are generally skepical of her abilities and that women are usually relieved to find her at their door. "Men tend to stand and watch as I make the repairs. So I explain the type of repair that's needed, how I'm going to fix it and how they can help prevent the same type of problem from happening again," Leeland said.

Of women customers, Leeland said, "I think they feel safer letting a starnger into their homes when it's another woman." Leeland's claim is backed up by the return service and referrals generated by the women customers she's help.

The Industry Needs More Fearless Females

Leeland is hopeful that more women will enter the HVAC industry. She believes that women are appealing job candidates to prospective employers because of their adoptability, flexibility and multitasking skills. "We offer diversification," she said.

She also hopes the industry will continue to make itself more appealing to women by employing more women recruiters and instructors, and by showing more women in promotional videos and advertisements.

Leeland's personal message to others is this: "Taking the NATE test is a good way to measure your knowledge. NATE certfication gives you credibility and the confidence to say that you're qualitifed to do any job."