Welding offers Metallica Scholar freedom for creativity

For Metallica Scholar and ECTC student Krystin Lanham, welding is a way to have a lucrative career while also pursuing artistic endeavors.

“I want to have the freedom in my professional life to do artsy stuff and enjoy it but also to be able to earn a livable wage,” she said. “Welding allows me to do something I love and enjoy but also be able to pay bills.”

Originally from Meade County, Lanham was drawn to welding because of her grandfather. He worked with wood as a carpenter but knew how to weld for farming purposes.

“He taught me to work with wood and to work with my hands,” she said. “I love doing anything with art and creating with my hands. How cool is it to make things out of metal, to really join two pieces together in a way you can’t with wood?”

Lanham first came to ECTC first for an eight-week welding certification class, but her goals grew to include enrolling in a Welding Technology degree and working toward becoming a Certified Weld Inspector. She will graduate this fall.

“ECTC has been wonderful,” Lanham said. “The instructors have been incredible – not just in classroom but as people.”

“Krystin has been a joy to have in class,” said ECTC Welding Program Coordinator Gideon Counts. “She has an active mind and is always ready with an appropriate question. She has a positive outlook and a thirst for knowledge.”

Lanham said that, since she’s paying for college out of pocket, being a Metallica Scholar really lightens the financial load.

“Because of this scholarship, I’ve been able to go from working 60 hours a week to afford school payments to 40 hours a week,” she said. “It’s a difference in time. We only get so much of it and working that much just doesn’t leave enough time for life. I’d like to say thank you to Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation for giving anyone the opportunity to better their lives.”