Sheldon, Iowa — Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon is celebrating their first female powerline program graduate.
In May, Mia Fleckenstein, from Hinton made history as the first female to graduate from Northwest Iowa Community College’s (NCC) Powerline program, which began in 1967.
NCC officials tell us that Fleckenstein’s journey is a “testament to courage, determination, and breaking new ground in a traditionally male-dominated industry.”
Fleckenstein says she thought the Powerline Program would fit her goals when she enrolled. She says she wanted something different and outside. She says she decided to do her best, and if she didn’t pass, at least it would be a good learning experience. Her high school guidance counselor introduced her to the Powerline program, and Fleckenstein was intrigued.
She says, “I thought it would be a fun challenge. I had no electrical classes in my background and no family members in the industry, so I just went for it.”
The Powerline program at NCC, renowned for preparing students for careers in electrical linework, requires not only technical skills but also resilience. Fleckenstein’s experience in the program reflects just that.
She says, “It’s a lot of hard work, and you need to have thick skin. But you’ll learn so much – especially about what happens up in the sky.”
Fleckenstein says she found more than just technical training at NCC. She appreciated the college’s small, welcoming environment.
