Quinebaug Valley Community College welcomed 28 ninth and tenth grade girls from Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, and Tourtellotte Memorial High Schools to the College’s first annual Women in Manufacturing Day.
During a panel discussion, guests had the opportunity to speak with four QVCC alumni who work in the manufacturing industry. Catarina Lima from Electric Boat, Hazel Glaude from Putnam Plastics, Victoria Rooke from Westminster Tool, and Kristina Davenport from SPIROL Corporation offered useful advice, shared personal stories, and answered questions about navigating the manufacturing industry as a woman. Participants also watched video testimonials showcasing two women with manufacturing positions at Whelen Engineering in Chester and UTC Aerospace Systems in Windsor Locks. The students then toured QVCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Center and had the opportunity to fabricate two products: a metal whistle and a plastic storage box using computer numeric control machining and 3D printing respectively.
QVCC President Dr. Carlee Drummer noted the importance of exposing young women to the field of manufacturing. She commented, “Although 47 percent of women comprise the workforce in the United States, only 29 percent hold jobs in manufacturing. QVCC is the ideal place to begin that career.”
