Taylor Tongel Explores Welding and What Comes Next

When Taylor Tongel signed up for welding classes at Cleveland Community College, she was following her curiosity. “My school doesn’t offer any shop classes.”

She wasn’t exactly sure how welding would fit into her future. She simply thought it sounded interesting.

“My friends didn’t know what to think when they found out I was taking welding classes,” she said. “It wasn’t something they saw me doing, but I thought it would be really cool to be able to say that’s something I can do.”

At the time of her interview, Taylor was a senior at Pinnacle Classical Academy and was enrolled at CCC through the Career and College Promise (CCP) program. The program gives eligible high school students the opportunity to explore college classes, earn credits, and discover their interests before graduating.

For Taylor, that opportunity led to both an Associate in Arts and a Welding Technology Certificate from CCC.

While there are still few girls who take welding classes, Taylor said the experience was a positive one and encourages other girls to try it.

“Honestly, it’s a power move,” she said. “It’s really fun.”

Since her interview, Taylor has graduated from both high school and CCC. This fall, she will attend Belmont Abbey College, where she plans to major in business.

Earning her associate degree through CCC means Taylor will enter Belmont Abbey with a strong head start and can complete her bachelor’s degree faster.

“It is making my whole journey a little easier,” Taylor said. “I can go straight into my core classes.”

Taylor is not sure yet what role welding will play in her future, but she knows it will have a spot. She may use it in a future business, or she may keep it as a hobby.

She would like to open her own business one day, following in her mother’s footsteps. Her mother owns and runs her own business and has been a major inspiration in Taylor’s life.

“I’d like to be that strong, independent woman like she is,” Taylor said.

Looking back, Taylor is grateful she took advantage of the Career and College Promise program and chose to take classes at CCC.

She is also glad she tried welding, even though it was not the most common choice. Whether she uses it in a future business or keeps it as a personal skill, Taylor knows it is something she will carry with her.

For now, she is focused on the next step: studying business, building on the foundation she started at CCC, and keeping her options open.