Stories @ TCAT

Kaitlyn Hansen has worn many different hats throughout her life.

“Right out of high school, I joined the Navy,” Hansen said. “When I got out of the military, I earned my associate degree in California. Then I moved back to Knoxville and finished my bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of Tennessee. I’ve also been in the restaurant and bar industry for about 20 years.”

In search of an in-demand, stable career she was passionate about, Hansen decided it was time to follow her heart.

“I thought, if I had to choose all over again, welding is the thing I’ve always wanted to do,” Hansen said. “So, I applied to TCAT Knoxville.”

Like many adult learners, Hansen had concerns about the cost of returning to school.

“I wasn’t really sure how I was going to pay for it, but I thought, ‘God will provide,’ and decided to pursue it anyway,” Hansen said.

Expecting to pay out of pocket for her diploma, Hansen was pleasantly surprised to find a debt-free education through TCAT Knoxville.

“With all the grants and scholarships available in Tennessee, I didn’t have to pay for any of the school,” Hansen said. “It was a game changer for me to come into welding and reassure myself that I can do this financially.”

During her time in the program, Hansen applied for, and won, the prestigious Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarship, which supports students pursuing careers in the safe management of nuclear materials.

“I wrote my essay on environmental remediation and did a lot of research,” Hansen said. “I felt like it combined my passion for helping people and wanting to be part of the greater good of the environment.”

The scholarship provided $5,000 toward her welding career, offering meaningful financial relief as she prepared for her next step.

“I was able to pay off the credit cards I used to buy my welding gear,” Hansen said. “The rest gives me a cushion for anything I might need in the future. If I have to buy a new TIG rig, I don’t have to worry now because I have the money.”

Weeks before graduating from TCAT Knoxville, Hansen had already landed a job at Siemens Crystal Manufacturing in Rockford, Tennessee, proving it is never too late to pursue the career you’ve always wanted.

“I didn’t have to go into more debt to make a career change,” Hansen said. “So I tell anybody who wants to give TCAT Knoxville a try, it’s worth it.”