(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted a Women in Technology event on Friday, Aug. 2, at the Marshall campus.
Some 14 women attended the event, which was sponsored by electric cable manufacturer Prysmian Group’s Marshall plant.
Megan Hanson, a Perkins nontraditional program specialist at TSTC, said the annual event is designed to encourage more women to explore technical careers.
“By showcasing our programs, providing a platform for networking and mentorship, and raising awareness about nontraditional programs for women, we aim to highlight the incredible opportunities available in technical fields and encourage more women to explore and succeed in these high-demand careers,” Hanson said.
The women who attended the event received hands-on lessons in some of the college’s various programs, including Drafting and Design.
Brenda Murrell and Suzy Kirkpatrick, Drafting and Design instructors for the Marshall campus, guided the attendants in using the program SolidWorks to design and use 3D printing to produce their own personalized keychains and business card holders.
“I believe women offer new ways of thinking that result in innovation and great problem-solving,” Murrell said. “As women grow into leadership positions, it inspires young women in technology to apply to job positions with a realistic hope of climbing the ladder.”
After the tour, attendees were treated to a catered lunch and heard from TSTC Process Operations graduate Caton Jones. She is the terminal manager for RB Products, a specialty chemical manufacturer in Scottsville, Texas.
“Women are very intellectual, and we can make something out of nothing,” Jones said. “TSTC has brought me to where I am now, so I’m definitely glad I came here.”
Icarus Lenox, a student in TSTC’s Welding Technology program, attended the Women in Technology event.
“The event was amazing, and I love being surrounded by empowered women,” Lenox said.
Future Women in Technology events will coincide with National Women’s History Month in March and be held at four TSTC campuses, with specific locations to be announced at a later date. TSTC staff and students, as well as the general public, are welcome to attend.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
