Welding is not a male dominated field anymore, according to Gisele Overdorf and Cecilia Ramirez, both welding students at NCTC - East Grand Forks campus. “There is a big demand for welders everywhere in the country and more women are going into this field,” says Gisele. Gisele’s interest in welding started when she was a child, as she grew up seeing her father and grandfather work in welding. Cecilia also had relatives that worked in welding, and being herself a non-traditional woman, welding seem an attractive career, as she likes to do the “unexpected things”. Both Gisele and Cecilia feel comfortable with their welding techniques, however, they also agree that learning these techniques are difficult as they require patience, focus, concentration and training in the use of the different tools and machines that are used in this field.

Gisele and Cecilia have found that their talent and skill in welding has earned them respect from their classmates. The guys in our classes were not surprised to see us at first, however, I think that they used to wonder whether we could learn the skills,” said Cecilia. Now Gisele and Cecilia will graduate this May along with at least twelve other classmates. What are the plans for these two brave women after graduation? Both plan to work in the Grand Forks area and later move as jobs in welding are available everywhere in the country. Whether the plan is to work in construction, jewelry making, metal art, etc., welding is for women too. And like Cecilia proudly said it, “Don’t let the gender stop you”.

Northland College offers a Production Welding Certificate, Welding Process Technology Diploma, and a Welding Technology Diploma. For more information contact the Admissions Office at Northland College at 1-800-451-3441.