Devon Frank discovered his passion for welding at a young age after spending time in the shop with his father, who has worked at J and J Operating for nearly 30 years. Those early experiences helped turn welding into a long-term career goal.

Frank earned his welding certificate at Dickinson State University during the 2023-24 academic year, choosing the school so he could stay in his hometown while developing hands-on skills. He currently works at Fisher Industries, where he has been employed for about a year.

Frank said his coursework at DSU helped ease the transition into the workforce. “They taught me what I needed to know for my career, and I barely struggled when I started at Fisher,” he said.

For students considering a welding career, Frank recommends starting at DSU. “It is good instruction. They will always sit down and help you for however long it needs to be,” he said.

Frank plans to continue working at Fisher Industries while gaining more experience in the field.