My name is Kendlee Nordstrom, and I aspire to become one of few women welders in North Dakota. Last year, I took an agriculture class out of curiosity. I have always loved working with my hands and helping repair things on my grandparents' farm. Getting to learn through real world experiences sparked an interest for me. In the agriculture class I took, I learned how to weld. The first time I welded, I was terrified that I would either light something or myself on fire. Funnily enough, I did in fact light myself on fire a few months later. I believe that was day that I realized I wanted to become a welder. So many people told me that I couldn't become a welder; that was a man's job. My goal is to prove these people wrong while doing what I love. Someday, I want to be an inspiration to young girls like myself who want to go into the trades. I understand how difficult it can be to be a female and want to work in a male-dominated field. Sometimes, people doubt you, and sometimes, you doubt yourself. I have wondered many times if the people who say I can't be a welder are right, but I know that if I work my hardest, I can prove everyone wrong. There are so few female welders in North Dakota, and I have done some research that proves that women are just as dependable welders as men. In fact, studies have shown that women are more stable than men, which allows for smoother welding. Women are also proven to follow safety laws and requirements, which leads to less injuries and an overall safer workplace. These are just a few reasons that women are just as good welders as men. Next year, I plan to enroll at Lynnes Welding Training in Bismarck, ND. I will take a 12-week course and get my welding certification. With this certification, I plan to work somewhere in North Dakota so I can be close to home and my family. With a job as a welder, I can contribute important things to our state, such as machinery repair, fabrication, and even pipeline welding. North Dakota has an abundance of farms and coal mines, both of which require large equipment and heavy machinery which will inevitably need repairs at some point. With a welding certification, I can help to contribute to these repairs and much more that welders do for our society.

My name is Kendlee Nordstrom, and I aspire to become one of few women welders in North Dakota. Last year, I took an agriculture class out of curiosity. I have always loved working with my hands and helping repair things on my grandparents' farm. Getting to learn through real world experiences sparked an interest for me. In the agriculture class I took, I learned how to weld. The first time I welded, I was terrified that I would either light something or myself on fire. Funnily enough, I did in fact light myself on fire a few months later. I believe that was day that I realized I wanted to become a welder. So many people told me that I couldn't become a welder; that was a man's job. My goal is to prove these people wrong while doing what I love. Someday, I want to be an inspiration to young girls like myself who want to go into the trades. I understand how difficult it can be to be a female and want to work in a male-dominated field. Sometimes, people doubt you, and sometimes, you doubt yourself. I have wondered many times if the people who say I can't be a welder are right, but I know that if I work my hardest, I can prove everyone wrong. There are so few female welders in North Dakota, and I have done some research that proves that women are just as dependable welders as men. In fact, studies have shown that women are more stable than men, which allows for smoother welding. Women are also proven to follow safety laws and requirements, which leads to less injuries and an overall safer workplace. These are just a few reasons that women are just as good welders as men. Next year, I plan to enroll at Lynnes Welding Training in Bismarck, ND. I will take a 12-week course and get my welding certification. With this certification, I plan to work somewhere in North Dakota so I can be close to home and my family. With a job as a welder, I can contribute important things to our state, such as machinery repair, fabrication, and even pipeline welding. North Dakota has an abundance of farms and coal mines, both of which require large equipment and heavy machinery which will inevitably need repairs at some point. With a welding certification, I can help to contribute to these repairs and much more that welders do for our society.

My name is Kendlee Nordstrom, and I aspire to become one of few women welders in North Dakota. Last year, I took an agriculture class out of curiosity. I have always loved working with my hands and helping repair things on my grandparents' farm. Getting to learn through real world experiences sparked an interest for me. In the agriculture class I took, I learned how to weld. The first time I welded, I was terrified that I would either light something or myself on fire. Funnily enough, I did in fact light myself on fire a few months later. I believe that was day that I realized I wanted to become a welder. So many people told me that I couldn't become a welder; that was a man's job. My goal is to prove these people wrong while doing what I love. Someday, I want to be an inspiration to young girls like myself who want to go into the trades. I understand how difficult it can be to be a female and want to work in a male-dominated field. Sometimes, people doubt you, and sometimes, you doubt yourself. I have wondered many times if the people who say I can't be a welder are right, but I know that if I work my hardest, I can prove everyone wrong. There are so few female welders in North Dakota, and I have done some research that proves that women are just as dependable welders as men. In fact, studies have shown that women are actually more stable than men, which allows for smoother welding. Women are also proven to follow safety laws and requirements, which leads to less injuries and an overall safer workplace. These are just a few reasons that women are just as good welders as men. Next year, I plan to enroll at Lynnes Welding Training in Bismarck, ND. I will take a 12 week course and get my welding certification. With this certification, I plan to work somewhere in North Dakota so I can be close to home and my family. With a job as a welder, I can contribute important things to our state, such as machinery repair, fabrication, and even pipeline welding. North Dakota has an abundance of farms and coal mines, both of which require large equipment and heavy machinery which will inevitably need repairs at some point. With a welding certification, I can help to contribute to these repairs and much more that welders do for our society.