Abby Frisk in Welding Lab at the FVTC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center.
Leading by Example Through school, clubs & networking, 20-year-old Abby Frisk is living college life to the fullest. By Casey Britten
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
each other. We all want to make the
relationships. There’s a lot that you can
industry better.”
learn and experience when you reach out.”
Along with her instructors, she is
Along with welding, Abby is also an
launching the first-ever FVTC student
aviation enthusiast and hopes to one
chapter of the American Welding
day combine both interests and work
Society (AWS). “My second semester
in the aviation industry. For now, she
here, one of my instructors encouraged
plans to finish her associate degree in
me to apply for an AWS leadership
May 2022, then transfer to Ferris State
Abby Frisk isn’t one to shy away from
symposium in Miami,” she says, and
University in Big Rapids, Michigan to
a learning opportunity. She’s a firm
was one of only five students selected
study Welding Engineering.
believer that the more you put into
in the country. “While I was there I
something, the more you get out of it.
learned about student chapters and
That’s why she’s jumped into college
thought it would have a lot of great
with both feet.
benefits for our welding students.”
First, she moved to Oshkosh from her
As of press time, the chapter is
hometown of New Lisbon to enroll in the
up and running and should have full
Industrial Welding Technology program at
approval in May 2022. Officers are
Fox Valley Technical College. She toured
working on creating by-laws, event
another school closer to home first, but
planning and other leadership work
when she visited the FVTC Advanced
related to the club. As members,
Manufacturing Technology Center
students will get to know other welding
(AMTC) in Oshkosh, she made her
students and instructors, participate in
decision. “It was awesome. There’s so
projects using their welding skills, meet
much space, new technology and variety
employers and generally expand their
of equipment that we get to work on.”
welding knowledge.
And she clearly loves being part of
• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/StudentLife www.fvtc.edu/Welding
Abby is also a member of Phi Theta
the welding community. “There are so
Kappa Honor Society and Campus
many avenues in welding you can go
Engagement Organization, and has
into, whether it’s fabrication, robotics,
served on Student Government
sales, education… take your pick. Plus,
Association. By getting involved, she
the community is pretty close; we help
says, “You can create really awesome
Support Services There’s a broad support network for students at Fox Valley Tech. In addition to student clubs and activities, free services include counseling, tutoring, employment, health and so much more. Abby has made use of the Writing Center as well as the Employment Connections office. “It’s okay to need help,” she says. “Everyone needs help once in a while. That’s why those resources are there.” • • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/SupportServices
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