WNC welding student gets job, wins international competition

Gillian Hammons knows what makes her happy and what’s important.

Hammons, a second-year Machine Tool Technology and Welding student at Western Nevada College, earned her Associate of Science degree while attending high school. This allowed her to enter the mining engineering program at the University of Nevada, Reno early.

She quickly learned the engineering side of mining wasn’t for her. Hammons returned to WNC and the Career and Technical Education skills that she was seeking.

After one semester of welding at WNC, Hammons was able to find work with a Minden business welding massive frames that hold industrial water filtration systems.

But while attending UNR, Hammons joined the Society of Mining, Metallurgical and Exploration Engineers along with the old-fashioned mining team – the Mackay Muckers. The latter activity developed into a very enjoyable hobby.

In fact, the Mackay Muckers were so good that they won their division in the International Collegiate Mining Competition in Australia. Hammons and the Muckers competed in Swede saw, gold panning, mucking, jackleg, single jack, hand steel, track stand and survey.

The team placed first overall for women and first in all divisions in gold panning. The Muckers were first in track stand, gold panning, jackleg and hand steel, second in swede saw and mucking, and third in survey.

For information, call 775-445-4272 or email wcte@wnc.edu. Apply for scholarships at www.wnc.edu/scholarship by clicking through to the William N. Pennington CTE scholarship and the Career Path scholarship.