Barylski had worked with an electrician soon after she had graduated from high school.

"But I didn't think that was something a female could do," she said of a trade. "My stepfather and uncle are tin smiths and they introduced me to women in the trades. Talking to women who have been through the apprenticeship and working in the trades helped me see that I could do anything."

And while Barylski is still working to finish her associate's degree in industrial electricity at Terra, the college has served as a rock in her career climb.

"Terra has helped me a lot," she said. "I've been able to talk to great people. (Apprentice Coordinator) Amy Below has been a lot of help in registering for classes and that occasional pep talk. The instructors were also very helpful and understanding."

Her male counterparts were also surprisingly supportive.

"I had this fear that men would not accept me but that was not true," she said. "Once the journeymen realized that I was serious and wanted to learn, they would go out of their way to help me. It's just like any career; if you work hard and do your best, you will succeed."