While many areas of the technology industry are likely to have had an historically male-dominated workforce, that is changing all the time as women create space, find success, and become leaders in technical fields.

Computer-aided design (CAD)—or computer-aided drafting and design (CADD)—is one such field. According to data from PayScale, just about one in four CAD technicians are women, and 2016 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that only about 14% of architecture and engineering jobs are held by women. But those numbers could be on the rise!

For Kelcie Walburn, her interest in engineering led her to a four-year program at a state university—but she wasn’t getting the hands-on experience as quickly as she’d hoped and decided to look for a different solution. That’s when she found Triangle Tech and their CADD with Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing Technology program. A campus tour offered her a glimpse into the classes she would take and the equipment she would use. She even got to use the 3D printer right then! She knew it was the right fit for her.

After she graduates with her associate degree in specialized technology degree next year, she hopes to put her training to use designing floorplans for both new builds and redevelopment projects.

While Kelcie acknowledges that it is a different environment being the only woman in her classes, she isn’t bothered by it.

“If you enjoy it, just do it,” Kelcie says of choosing to pursue a career path you’re passionate about.

The most important thing for her is getting that hands-on training and earning her degree more quickly than she would have with a traditional engineering program.

The Imagine America Foundation (IAF) is honored to support students across the country pursue their own education and career goals through our scholarship, grant, and award programs. In fact, we’ve awarded more than $180 million to career training students at our partner schools.

Kelcie was excited to learn about the IAF scholarship from the school’s financial aid office. She says that getting the scholarship award has been especially helpful now that there’s more financial uncertainty thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’d love to help you reach your goals, too! Check out our scholarship and award programs, and then take a look at our robust network of schools to find the perfect program for you.

Want to learn more about Triangle Tech and the career skills training programs they offer? Visit their website to request additional information!