Abby Frisk isn’t one to shy away from a learning opportunity. She’s a firm believer that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. That’s why she’s jumped into college with both feet. 

First, she moved to Oshkosh from her hometown of New Lisbon to enroll in the Industrial Welding Technology program at Fox Valley Technical College. She toured another school closer to home first, but when she visited the FVTC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) in Oshkosh, she made her decision. “It was awesome. There’s so much space, new technology and variety of equipment that we get to work on.”

And she clearly loves being part of the welding community. “There are so many avenues in welding you can go into, whether it’s fabrication, robotics, sales, education… take your pick. Plus, the community is pretty close; we help each other. We all want to make the industry better.” 

Along with her instructors, she is launching the first-ever FVTC student chapter of the American Welding Society (AWS). “My second semester here, one of my instructors encouraged me to apply for an AWS leadership symposium in Miami,” she says, and was one of only five students selected in the country. “While I was there I learned about student chapters and thought it would have a lot of great benefits for our welding students.”

As of press time, the chapter is up and running and should have full approval in May 2022. Officers are working on creating by-laws, event planning and other leadership work related to the club. As members, students will get to know other welding students and instructors, participate in projects using their welding skills, meet employers and generally expand their welding knowledge. 

Abby is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Campus Engagement Organization, and has served on Student Government Association. By getting involved, she says, “You can create really awesome relationships. There’s a lot that you can learn and experience when you reach out.” 

Along with welding, Abby is also an aviation enthusiast and hopes to one day combine both interests and work in the aviation industry. For now, she plans to finish her associate degree in May 2022, then transfer to Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan to study Welding Engineering.

Learn more about getting involved at Fox Valley Tech >>

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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 at www.fvtc.edu/SupportServices

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