Dad's Birthday Gift Sparks Interest in New Career

When Olivia Peleg reflects on her past, she fondly recalls her days as a band enthusiast. It was a passion that, while cherished, didn't ring true with her larger ambitions.

"I played the trombone and was a band nerd growing up,” she reminisces. “Although music was something I truly loved, I knew that it wasn’t something I would pursue as a career." 

What Peleg knew was that she wanted to get a college degree and make good money. She received a financial aid package from Wayne State University and began studying engineering. However, she said it quickly became evident that it was not the right choice, nor the right time for her.

“I was housed with the engineering kids and felt lost,” she said. “I wasn’t connecting with anything and felt stuck.”

She pushed through the next two years and realized, “I don’t have to keep going down this path and it made me feel so much lighter.”

Lighting a fire on a new passion

During this period of introspection, a birthday gift from her father – a one-on-one blacksmithing course – ignited a new-found passion.

“I didn’t know anything about blacksmithing, but I thought it was so much fun,” she said. “I was able to try out welding within the course and decided, ‘this could be a career I want to pursue.’”

Her curiosity was piqued and her interest in welding was kindled. She soon enrolled in OCC’s welding program and dove into metal working where she picked up new skills and lit a fire on her career plans.

A fusion of hands on learning and caring instructors

“I loved the small class sizes at OCC,” she said. “We would gather with our instructors, watch a demonstration and then we would be off on our own learning new skills and techniques.”

She speaks highly of her instructors, especially Welding/Fabrication Faculty Cameron Berrier and Specialist Shelby Hardy. She credits them as an important part of her success while she explored a field largely unknown to her.

“Cameron and Shelby provided such a wealth of knowledge and so much inspiration during those times when I didn’t necessarily feel that I knew what I was doing. As a woman, I felt encouragement in class, never discrimination.”

According to Hardy, Peleg’s passion for hard work and thirst for knowledge was a breath of fresh air. “I am so proud of the work and accomplishments Olivia achieved at OCC and beyond. I have no doubt she will go far in whatever she sets her mind to.”

Berrier added that Peleg has an inherent curiosity and intrigue about things that strike her interest. “It’s refreshing to see that. Olivia was not afraid to ask questions nor seek solutions. She put that knowledge to good use, and she will go far in whatever she sets her mind out to do. I’m proud of her for that.” 

Renewed sights on engineering

Peleg earned an Associate in Technological Sciences Degree in 2022 and a second degree in Associate in Arts in 2023 using prior credits earned at Wayne State University. During this time, she used her OCC training to land a job as a welder while continuing her education. These experiences proved valuable in her next move.

“I have learned quite a bit about welding and have decided to go back to Wayne State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in welding and metallurgical engineering technology,” she said.

“With more experience and focus, I hope to take these skills to become more financially secure and ‘take it to the next level,’” she added.

Learn more about OCC’s Welding and Fabrication Technology program.