Efforts to support women in technical careers continue

Skilled trades are, for the most part, a predominantly male bastion. But more women are finding their passion in these fields, and Dunwoody College of Technology has initiatives in place to support them.

Among these initiatives is Dunwoody’s Women in Technical Careers (WITC) scholarship program, which was launched in 2015 to serve female students studying technical-related majors.

Most jobs requiring a technical degree are non-traditional for women (defined by federal law as employing fewer than 25 percent women nationwide), despite those same jobs delivering higher median wages, greater job security, and more opportunities for advancement than historically female-dominated jobs. Our mission is to empower women to earn technical degrees from Dunwoody College of Technology and eliminate barriers for women to enter and succeed in technical industries.

The WITC scholarship program awards up to $10,000 a year to each participant pursuing either a two-year or four-year degree at Dunwoody in one of the following programs: Automotive, Computer Technology, Construction, Sciences & Building Technology, Robotics & Manufacturing, or the School of Engineering.

Support services—including childcare stipends, professional development workshops and job placement assistance—are also offered.

In response to challenges created by COVID-19, Dunwoody has extended the application deadline for the Women in Technical Careers scholarship to Monday, June 1 at 5:00 PM. Learn more here.

As a society, we are still working on changing the cultural perception of women in trade industries and the misconceptions that often accompany these jobs. Efforts like those at Dunwoody help lead the way. Through the Center’s Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree project, we have also worked on changing the narrative and shedding light on the rewards skilled careers offer.

Check out the powerful stories below of Minnesota women in these important fields.