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Halle Gessler's Journey: Experiencing Success in a nontraditional career field
March 31, 2025
In honor of Women's History Month, we celebrate Halle Gessler, a high school junior making big strides in manufacturing. She is enrolled in the Mechatronics Basics program at the St. Croix Manufacturing Skills Center, where she is gaining hands-on experience in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Gessler takes her classes during the school day through dual enrollment in a partnership between St. Croix Croix Falls High School and Northwood Technical College. Her dual credits fall under transcripted credit, meaning they will appear on both her high school and college transcripts, giving her a head start toward her future career.
"Before starting classes at Northwood Tech, I planned to study engineering in college," Gessler said. "I explored different career paths through classes in chemistry, small engines, and metals. When I heard about the Mechatronics Basics course at my high school, I saw it as a great opportunity to learn about automation systems, local industry, and critical thinking in a hands-on way."
Halle Gessler, a high school junior, is gaining hands-on experience in a nontraditional career field through the Mechatronics program at Northwood Technical College.
Halle Gessler speaks with attendees at the St. Croix Manufacturing Skills Center open house, demonstrating the mechatronics skills she is learning.
Gessler chose dual enrollment because she wanted real-world experience while still in high school. She will graduate in spring 2025 and has already made great progress toward her future career.
"My favorite part about Northwood Tech is the resources available to students," she said. "It’s okay to ask for help, and there are so many people and tools to support you. The best resource, by far, is the professors."
Even though mechatronics is a male-dominated field, Gessler said she has not faced major obstacles. Instead, she credits her success to asking questions, which has helped her learn, grow, and stay engaged in class.
"Asking questions has been the most helpful tool in my education," she said. "It helps me understand concepts better and stay involved in my learning."
One of her biggest achievements has been overcoming her shyness. As an introvert, she used to struggle with speaking up in class and talking to industry professionals. However, Northwood Tech’s supportive environment and industry connections have helped build her confidence.
"Now, I can easily talk to different people, which has helped me make connections and find new opportunities," Gessler said.
She credits much of her success to her Mechatronics Basics instructor, Mr. Wenzel.
"Mr. Wenzel brings so much knowledge to the classroom," she said. "He connects what we learn to real-world industries, encourages hands-on learning, and always answers our questions. His support has made a huge difference in my education."
Looking ahead, Gessler is excited to continue learning and developing her skills.
As Women's History Month highlights the achievements of women in different fields, Gessler stands out as a role model for others interested in nontraditional careers. With her determination and passion, she is ready to make a lasting impact on the industry.
Empowering the Workforce: RESTORE project
The St. Croix Manufacturing Skills Center is part of the RESTORE (Restoring Employment through Support, Training, Outreach, Recruitment, and Education) project. Funded through a $10 million Workforce Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), RESTORE helps meet workforce needs in modern manufacturing.
The center’s Mechatronics program prepares students for high-tech careers by teaching skills in automation, mechanics, electronics, robotics, and more. By giving students hands-on training, the program helps address the shortage of skilled workers and supports the future of the manufacturing industry.
For more information about the St. Croix Manufacturing Skills Center and how Northwood Technical College is leading the way in workforce development and community engagement, please visit NorthwoodTech.edu/Advanced-Manufacturing or contact Liz.Pizzi@NorthwoodTech.edu.
