Willow Schuller, Tech High School graduate, is a self-proclaimed girlie-girl. She loves the color pink, and her bedroom is ballet-themed because she loves to dance. She does fashion make-up for a hobby including prop makeup and weddings. One would never guess she’d just been awarded a full-ride scholarship to St. Cloud Technical Community College (SCTCC) for welding.
Yes. Welding.
During her senior year, all of Schuller’s classes were post-secondary education option (PSEO) classes. She had difficult subjects such as physics in her schedule, but she knew she really enjoyed hands-on classes like a previous woodworking class she’d taken. So, for her last trimester of school, she just wanted a fun class.
“I saw welding as an option,” explains Schuller. “I signed up for it on the last day. Afterward, I thought, ‘What did I just do?'”
Yet, she was determined. It would only be eight weeks.
“I kind of took it to prove a point because I am a girlier girl … ,” says Schuller.
On the first day of class, she was incredibly nervous.
“I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it. Both my instructors were really awesome with teaching me. I’m a visual learner. I really just picked it up after the first class.”
After a couple of classes, one of her instructors noticed her work was really good and approached her about a career in welding.
Schuller had always planned on a nursing career, so she brushed off the idea of welding as a career. After all, this was just supposed to be a fun class to take in her last semester of high school.
However, St. Cloud Technical Community College (SCTCC) recently hosted an EPIC (Exploring Potential Interests and Careers) event. Community businesses and colleges displayed interactive, hands-on projects for local high school students. Students spent the day learning about different careers, asking questions and trying activities. Schuller’s instructor approached her again to reconsider welding instead of nursing. Giving her a gentle nudge, he asked her to help demonstrate welding for the EPIC day.
“[The EPIC day] would really be the test,” recalls Schuller. “[To see] if I could weld for eight hours straight and still love it. And sure enough, I was there for eight hours straight and I was actually one of the last people to leave the shop.”
She spent the first half of the day teaching other high school students to weld and the latter half of the day in her welding class. Upon reflection, she realized she really enjoyed it.
“I just love being in the shop. It just makes me really happy,” says Schuller. “I got done with the [EPIC] day and that’s when I really thought about going for welding.”
With full support from her parents, Schuller changed her career path.
“I feel very proud of it [welding],” smiles Schuller. “A lot of people would think this girl is not a welder. It’s a good feeling when people don’t expect it of you.”
And just a few weeks ago, Schuller received a surprise. She was presented a full-ride scholarship to attend SCTCC to complete her welding training.
Employers are already knocking on her door.
“I like the idea of getting done with school and being certified when I’m 19 and being able to find a good job,” says Schuller. “It’s a lot more exciting for me to start classes in the fall doing welding.”
Watch out world! This girlie girl just broke the mold and proved anyone can find a passion in the most unexpected places.
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