Controls engineer Kara Moon wanted to train horses in middle school.

Welder Erika Stacey dreamed about dance.

Stacey was not a good high school student, but since finding her niche she has been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Stacey graduates from Southwestern Michigan College with honors on May 6, already employed in her field and scouting a California fabrication school in July. She’s housesitting to earn extra money in hopes she’s accepted for October.

Carlyn McClelland, 36, earned a Michigan State University criminal justice degree and became a probation officer, but never felt comfortable like she did in construction.

Victoria Knight started in nursing, but also gravitated to construction.

Her Barton Malow internship landed her at the University of Notre Dame’s $400 million Campus Crossroads Project around the football stadium. Knight’s opening her own business.

Rachel Mroz went from SMC to Ferris State University for a construction management bachelor’s degree.

“When I graduated last May,” she said, “I had six offers around the country.” She started in San Francisco.

These pioneers in male-dominated fields shared their stories at SMC’s “Girls Can Day” on April 21, where 250 Hartford, Dowagiac, Marcellus, Cassopolis and Niles Brandywine seventh and eighth graders learned about careers in information technology, mechatronics, automotive technology, business, marketing and graphic design.

Stacey’s teacher suggested Ohio’s Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.

“I want to fabricate things, like baja trucks, roll cages and drag cars. I grew up around racing,” the 2014 Lakeshore High School graduate said. “I’ve been welding as a job almost three years, right out of trade school in 2015. I love making money doing something I love. You can always get better and people you meet are like family. I work in the research-and-development shop for ABI Attachments in Mishawaka,” which makes tractor, ATV, UTV, skid steer and truck attachments.

“Yesterday I worked on equestrian arena equipment,” Stacey said. “This is my favorite job so far because I work closely with the lead engineer. My first project came out last month,” culminating a seven-month process.

Emma Green, who attended graduate school at Ball State University with Christine Stiles of SMC’s information technology faculty, studied Spanish. Stiles prepared to teach German.

“It’s a strange leap,” agreed Green, in information security in Chicago since September for global management consultant Accenture.

“What sparked my interest was wanting to know more about the IT industry, where I knew job security was huge. With Accenture, I could work abroad in Spanish-speaking countries,” said Green, who had studied in Lima, Peru. “Women hold 25 percent of IT jobs. That’s not enough. I didn’t know what I wanted to be in middle school.”

Automotive professor Jeffrey Robson said women are in demand in his industry because “we need detail-oriented people who can relate to people. Many times it’s more about fixing people than fixing cars. Men don’t have a clue, quite honestly.”

Zolman Tire District Service Manager Heidi Harshman said the industry came calling in 1997 while managing a women’s health club.

“Zolman Tire has seven locations,” Harshman said. “Seven years ago they asked me to take on a store nine men manned in seven years. They had constant employee turnover and couldn’t retain customers. Whatever field, from nursing to construction, trust yourself and take any opportunity offered — even if you don’t think you can. I’ve been promoted twice since my mentor told me, ‘Even if you fail, you tried.’ It’s about relationships, which women are really good at because of our empathy.”

Moon has worked for JR Automation Technologies in Stevensville for 3 1/2 years. She was mentored in high school by someone who saw an engineer’s aptitude in her, so she job-shadowed some.

“I decided I liked it. I got my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering” at Walla Walla University. “After two internships, I was excited to get an offer from JR,” which makes custom automation equipment and robotic systems.

“Don’t be afraid to take on something that seems impossible,” Moon recommends. “You can do more than you think. Be first to admit when you’re wrong. Own your mistakes. You’ll gain respect doing that one simple thing.”

“What I really love,” Moon said, “is seeing results. I’m a challenge junkie who enjoys problem-solving. Seeing things from start to finish is rewarding. I haven’t built a robot, but I’ve programmed ones we buy from a company that specializes in building robots used in our machines. I got to go to China and Mexico. I’m training for a manager position.”

“You young ladies can program robots if you desire,” electronics professor Michael McGowan, a former controls engineer, said. “Any engineering field, with high-paying jobs, is open to females. We do not have enough. I average one female a year in the program. This is the first year I do not have one.”

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project. Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.