My Story: Riding the Winds of Change

What did you do as an auto mechanic? I worked for a Chrysler dealership, where I specialized in engine tear-down and overhaul. I worked a lot of overtime; 12-hour days were normal for me.

Why did you leave? After three years, I got bored with working on cars. In 2007, I was at a job fair and learned of turbine manufacturer Gamesa. It sparked my curiosity. I knew nothing about wind turbines, but there was a lot of talk about green energy, and I thought building them would be cool.

Was it difficult to move from car engines to wind turbines? The skills I learned in the auto industry -- reading schematic diagrams, repairing wiring, and working hard, fast and efficiently -- helped me excel at building wind turbines. I started at Gamesa as a mechanical assembler, and six months later I was promoted. Today I'm in charge of a group that builds the hubs that turbine blades are bolted onto.

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How did you manage to get promoted in just six months? The company noticed that I was a good problem solver and leader. My mother was a single mom who raised four kids, and I saw how hard she worked. I've taken that with me to every job. My first job was at a Burger King, and I was told that I made the sandwiches faster and neater than anyone else.

How's business? For the most part, business is steady, though we're not working as much overtime as we did a year ago.

Do you feel moving to the green-energy industry was the right decision? Definitely. The more energy people need, the more I'm needed for my skills and expertise. That's good news, especially given the auto industry's problems. I make about $50,000 annually now, or $5,000 more than I did as an auto mechanic with much less overtime.

Is your lifestyle more eco-friendly now? I recycle more, and I carpool to work with three of my colleagues.

Has living green had an impact on your wallet? Yes. It costs me $10 a week to carpool with the guys instead of the $30 I would pay to drive by myself. Now I'm looking to buy a house that's closer to work.

Wojno was formerly research director for data-intensive projects such as Kiplinger's college and mutual fund rankings. He has worked as a newswire reporter and newsletter editor for Dow Jones, covering convertible bonds, REITs and mutual funds. He also served as market research manager for Keane Federal Systems, an IT consultancy. He received a BA in communications and computer science as well as a MBA from George Washington University.