From A Co-Op Student Employee To GM’s Ceo, Mary Barra Made History As The First Female Ceo Of An International Automaker

Mary Barra has become one of the most-watched executives in the world since she was appointed CEO of General Motors. Large-scale corporations still don’t often have female CEOs, especially in the manufacturing and technology sectors.

When Mary Barra was around ten, she became obsessed with her cousin’s vehicle. The red Chevy Camaro convertible from the late 1960s was the coolest thing for her.

When the time came for Barra to have a set of wheels for herself, she was on a tight budget and decided to purchase a Chevrolet Chevette, an economical boxy hatchback that the carmaker marketed by highlighting its spacious trunk and legroom but struggled to move on its wheels.

In 1980, when Barra was 18, she worked for General Motors as a co-op student to help pay for her college expenses.

She was a lifelong employee of GM, steadily moving up the ranks thanks to her tenacity. Thirty-eight years later, she is now the Chairwoman and CEO of GM. She hopes to lead the corporation into the driverless car industry and sees an all-electric future for the business.

The young woman who grew up idolizing Firebirds and other sports cars is now in charge of…