Dr. Steven Coyle says the Universal Technical Institute’s mantra is “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
This mantra is the driving factor behind the company’s work to encourage more women to get involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
“The truth is, out of all the STEM careers and Career and Technical Education careers, only 27% are filled by females,” Coyle says. “So, we’re trying to change that.”
The Universal Technical Institute travels across the country, offering tours of interactive STEM activities. One of these is a welding simulator that they’ve brought to the 97th National Convention & Expo.
“It’s inviting to come over here and try it because people are explaining what careers there are in welding,” says Midland FFA member Avery Edwards from Iowa.
The simulator scores each welder based on their steadiness, straight lines and pace. Welders can receive a score up to 100, with the average score currently being between 30 and 50.
Aspen Rushford, another Midland FFA member, has simple advice for women who want to pursue a career in STEM: “Do what you think you want to do, instead of being told that you can’t.”
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