<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hellbent on finding a journalism job after earning an English degree from DePaul University, I stumbled into the automotive industry in 2003 — much to the delight of my Corvette-obsessed dad. After working as an editor at Consumer Guide Automotive for several years, I joined Cars.com in 2011 and am currently an expert reviewer, certified car-seat technician and mom of three. I wear a lot of hats — many of them while driving a minivan.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> My first car was a 1994 Mercury Tracer, and I currently drive a 2012 Mazda5. </span></p>