Ellen Edelsward - Dual Credit Student at Sheridan College

Summary

The speaker shares her unexpected journey into metal shop, highlighting its benefits beyond career paths, such as learning hand tools useful at home. Being the only girl in her classes, she embraced the challenge, showcasing her skills and gaining self-confidence. She also praises dual credit programs for providing a valuable opportunity to explore college courses and build friendships.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ Metal shop was not initially a planned interest but turned out to be beneficial.
• 🏫 The speaker's high school did not offer metal shop, highlighting a lack of opportunity for such skills.
• 🔧 Knowledge gained from metal shop is applicable beyond the field, such as using hand tools at home.
• 🚀 Being the only girl in all classes was a challenge but also a chance to represent and encourage other females.
• 💪 The challenge of being in a male-dominated field was embraced and used to build self-confidence.
• 👥 The speaker enjoyed being the only girl in the class, finding it a great benefit and a way to showcase skills.
• 📚 Dual credit programs were seen as a great opportunity to test the waters in college courses.
• 🎓 The speaker did not have high expectations for dual credit but found it to be a valuable experience.
• 🤝 Making friends and learning from peers in the dual credit program was a highlight of the experience.
• 🏢 The dual credit program was more enjoyable than the alternative of attending placement for several days a week.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial perception of metal shop?

The speaker did not initially consider metal shop as a great idea and had no prior opportunity to engage with it in high school due to the lack of such a program.

How did the speaker find the knowledge gained from metal shop beneficial even outside of a career in that field?

The speaker found the knowledge of hand tools, such as wrenches and files, beneficial for everyday use at home, indicating the practicality of the skills learned.

What was the speaker's experience as the only girl in all of her classes?

Being the only girl, the speaker faced a challenge but embraced it, feeling a sense of representation for other females and gaining self-confidence through quick learning and helping others.

How did the speaker's quick learning ability impact her experience in the class?

The speaker's quick learning ability allowed her to jump ahead and assist others, which in turn boosted her self-confidence and demonstrated her capability in the field.

What does the speaker think about the dual credit program and its benefits?

The speaker highly recommends the dual credit program, appreciating the opportunity it provided to test the waters in college courses and make valuable friends.

What was the speaker's initial understanding of the dual credit program?

The speaker initially understood the dual credit program as an opportunity to take college courses, but did not know what to expect beyond that.

How did the speaker's experience in the metal shop class differ from her expectations?

The speaker's experience exceeded her initial expectations, as she found it to be not as intimidating as portrayed and enjoyed being the only girl in the class.

What challenges did the speaker face in a male-dominated trade?

The speaker faced the challenge of being a female in a male-dominated field, which was hard to find other girls in, but she embraced it as an opportunity to represent and prove capabilities.

How did the speaker's experience in the metal shop class influence her view on pursuing a career in the trade?

The experience positively influenced the speaker's view, making her realize that she could succeed in the trade and that it was not as daunting as it seemed.

What advice does the speaker have for others considering the dual credit program?

The speaker advises others to take advantage of the dual credit program, emphasizing its benefits in gaining practical skills, self-confidence, and a chance to explore potential career paths.