Anne Kluka is originally from Escanaba, Michigan, and now lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, working as a welder fabricator.
Anne chose Bay College because it was local, affordable, and offered a great first step into higher education while allowing them to stay close to family. What began as a simple blueprint reading class—recommended by Anne’s mom—sparked an unexpected passion for welding. When the class moved into hands-on work, Anne quickly realized she'd found her career path.
At Bay College, the smaller class sizes and close-knit community made a huge difference. Anne especially valued the one-on-one time with instructors and the friendships built in the welding program. “Not only was the education fun, but it was also fun seeing my friends,” Anne shared.
The program provided strong preparation for the real world, offering practical training, personalized guidance, and even extra practice opportunities outside of class. This experience gave Anne a head start in the welding field, equipping them with skills and confidence for job tests and future opportunities. Anne graduated from Bay College in 2023 with her welding certificate and quicky found work in Green Bay as a welder fabricator. Though one of few women in her field, Anne's preparedness, training, and skills quickly earned her the respect of her male peers. She is gratified to have found a career she loves.
Looking ahead, Anne plans to pursue a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential and eventually hopes to teach, inspired by the mentorship they received at Bay College.
When asked if they would recommend Bay College, Anne didn’t hesitate: “I would recommend Bay College to anyone—not just because it’s local, but because the community is so welcoming, and it offers multiple paths for career training and education.”
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay