Kris Dunker, Gateway Technical College graduate
“Gateway has been the big foot in the door that has helped me get into this industry. Without them, I don’t know what would have taken place.”
— Kris Dunker, Gateway Technical College graduate
Kris Dunker’s lifelong dream was to be in the military.
Dunker enrolled at the Kenosha Military Academy of Indian Trail High School to help reach that dream. All was going well for Dunker through much of high school — the course was set to enlist in the Air Force after graduation.
That was … until the decision was made to not enlist in the military. What to do now? A high school class combined with a closer look at area colleges helped Dunker shift gears into a new career path and enroll at Gateway Technical College.
The fire Dunker had for the military became the fire that sparked an interest in welding and, just a year and a half after high school, the Indian Trail graduate earned a Gateway Welding technical diploma and is employed at a local business.
“Gateway has been the big foot in the door that has helped me get into this industry,” said Dunker. “Without them, I don’t know what would have taken place.
“I’m 5-foot-3 and heading into the welding industry. No one would have accepted me without that Gateway degree — but Gateway has such a great reputation for its quality training that companies considered me.”
Dunker initially decided college was needed, but also knew the four-year college route wasn’t the best option for him. Dunker had taken some Gateway welding classes in high school, liked them and thought that would be the path to continue at the college.
“I was in my last semester of high school, and they opened up a welding class,” said Dunker. “I thought, ‘This is a class where I can play with fire — why not?’ I knew I had to go to college, so I thought, ‘Gateway is 10 minutes away. They have some good courses there, so let’s go and see what I can do.’”
Dunker works as a repair welder and says the freedom experienced at Gateway to choose a career and classes is mirrored at the workplace.
“Gateway was my first introduction to being on my own, to being independent,” Dunker said. “Going there is the first big decision I made in my life. I said to myself, ‘I have to do something with my life. Why not start at Gateway?’ My journey at Gateway has given me some great guidelines on how I should do things in my career and my life. I gained a great sense of responsibility at the college.”
Dunker says Gateway’s appeal is its flexibility and ability to offer students the opportunity to work and take classes at their own pace.
“I had no problems at all getting the classes I needed. They were very flexible and I loved that. The overall experience was very easy going,” said Dunker.
While the instructors allowed students to work at their own pace, they were also quick to help if anyone was struggling with a skill or assignment.
“They worked with you — they wanted you to be good at welding, not just going through the motions,” said Dunker. “They are all very student-focused about quality rather than just getting certificates. It was a great community, very homey and nice to be in.”
It was that teaching and the skills gained that gave Dunker a solid foundation and the confidence to do well in the workplace now.
“I didn’t want a conventional job, just sitting in a chair. That seems so mundane to me. My days now vary all the time. I like what I’m doing,” said Dunker.
For more information about Gateway Technical College, please visit gtc.edu.
