Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner—Rebekah Clark

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

Here’s one of the winners, Rebekah Clark. She is attending Spokane Community College in Spokane, Washington and is enrolled in the Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technology program. We asked Rebekah about winning the scholarship . . .

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
Being awarded this Fluid Power Scholarship was such a great honor! Besides the program I’m enrolled in, this scholarship has been my first interaction with the fluid power community. I’m excited to graduate and join an industry that gives back to the students entering the workforce.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
I chose to learn about fluid power after touring the program. Throughout the tour and my first quarter in the program, I had an epiphany, realizing I’d found a career I could excel at and truly enjoy. Math is my favorite and strongest subject, and problem solving is always satisfying and rewarding, so having the opportunity to do those things for a living has me so eager to watch my future unfold. The prospect of choice in this field coupled with the opportunity for success has been the most enticing part of this program.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
I envision myself working full-time in a career that is challenging yet enjoyable. I want to feel accomplished and proud of myself at the end of my work projects. I would love to work with an engineer and assist in designing hydraulic equipment.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in high schools, technical colleges, and engineering schools pursue their interests in fluid power. For further information about the Fluid Power Scholarship program, contact Amy Zignego, Workforce Program Manager, at azignego@nfpa.com.