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Hanna Gilbertson has big plans for her future. Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, Gilbertson is pursuing her passion for metal working. She is a student in the Machine Tool-CNC Technician technical diploma program on the Marinette campus.
Gilbertson's goal is to graduate without taking on any major loans. She is employed at a precision machine shop located in the nearby town of Pound, working up to 30 hours a week while going to college. She also works hard to earn scholarships.
“Scholarships are very beneficial. They are life-changing,” she said. “I’ve done my best to have the opportunity to receive scholarships. Without them, college would have been way more stressful because I would have to work more hours, and that would take a lot of time away from my studies.”
Gilbertson believes her NWTC education will help open up opportunities in the growing field of machining. She dreams of one day starting her own metal fabrication shop.
“Being a girl in the metals business is not easy because I’m constantly getting judged; it’s not your standard woman’s job,” she said. “But it’s my passion. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
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