The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education honored students and staff who have chosen specific career and technology programs because of their interests and abilities and who have not let their gender influence their decisions to prepare for nontraditional careers.  Construction Technology student, Kim Agan, was one of the students who won the "Breaking Traditions" award.  She was recognized at the spring SkillsUSA state convention.

Below is an excerpt from Kim's application.

Kim is an 18-year-old senior at Bartlesville High School and in her second year of Construction Technology at Tri County.  In her portfolio she has a number of certifications ranging from Carpentry Level I to Plumbing Level I to her Forklift Operating license to the Honor Roll.

“And there are a lot more,” said Agan.  “This just happens to be everything I received throughout my first year in the program.”

Not only does Kim have the certifications to back up her quality work, but she loves what she does. 

“People think it is crazy but, I absolutely love the plumbing aspect of the program,” she says.  “For me, it is very interesting and a lot of fun.”

In her free time, Agan enjoys studying her heritage; she is part Cherokee.  “I love reading about the history of my family,” she says.  Kim particularly enjoys the beading and weaving she has learned from family members, and what down time she does have, she will either be doing that or reading a good book.

When asked if she feels that her gender in the Construction Technology field has been an issue, she gives a little laugh, and points to an article that her instructor, Johnnie Parks, has posted on the wall.  The article is about women proving themselves in the field of construction, and the growth of women in the industry.

“It has never once been an issue,” she said.  “My mother raised me to believe that women can do anything they want.”  “I plan on paying my way through college from the living I make in construction.”

Kim Agan