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BEEDIE LUMINARIES — In the weeks leading up to starting welding school at BCIT, Rachelle Andrews experienced intense anxiety—sometimes so overwhelming that it triggered panic attacks and made her question her decision to step out of her comfort zone in the first place.
She was leaving behind a familiar routine of working in the service industry four to five days a week only to step into mornings of hands-on welding from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
On top of that, she would be the only woman in her class.
What could have been overwhelming turned out to be transformative: welding gave Rachelle structure, confidence, and a sense of purpose she hadn’t felt in years. Step by step, one weld at a time, she began building a routine that supported both her career and her well-being. Through her journey, she learned that balance isn’t something you find once. Instead, it’s something you create, adjust, and refine as you grow.
As a 2025 BUILD Student and proud member of the Beedie Luminaries Scholarship program, Rachelle is now using this opportunity to grow her career, build confidence, and inspire others to see the trades as a powerful and rewarding path. Read more about Rachelle’s journey below.
I was born and raised in Burnaby and Coquitlam, and I’ve always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact in my community. That motivation initially led me to pursue nursing and later criminology, but after realizing those paths might not align with my long-term well-being, I reassessed my career goals. As a hands-on learner with a creative streak and a lifelong curiosity for how things work, I discovered welding—a field that allows me to combine skill, creativity, and purpose.
At 25, I am a part of the inaugural cohort of the BUILD Scholarship and a proud recipient of the Beedie Luminaries Scholarship program. Through this opportunity, I’m growing my career, building confidence, and inspiring others in the trades.
Looking back, I realize my career path wasn’t one I could have predicted. While it all seems obvious now, my journey into the trades hasn’t been linear to say the least.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been curious about how things work. After graduating high school, I started university as a nursing student. I was drawn to healthcare because I wanted to help those around me and make a tangible difference in my community. I always want to be the reason someone’s day gets better.
While nursing aligned with this principle, I quickly began to experience burnout from the coursework. I wasn’t very strong in the required science and mathematics courses, and I remember thinking, “If I’m not enjoying what I do, how could I possibly help someone else in the way that I want?”
In my second year, I leaned into my interest in criminology, which I had explored through electives during my first year. With this pivot, I completed my diploma while working three days a week, playing soccer, and managing the basketball team. My goal shifted to becoming a police officer, still motivated by the desire to make a meaningful impact in my community.
With my criminology diploma in hand, I began applying to various police departments and the RCMP. But I quickly realized how unsafe policing could be for a woman. As someone who tends to go “all in” emotionally, I was nervous about the potential burnout and toll it would take on me.
Once again, I faced a fork in the road: continue down a path I didn’t feel fully passionate about, or take another leap into the unknown. That’s when I started exploring careers in the trades. I was drawn to their versatility and the chance to help construct and contribute to my community in a tangible way. It became clear to me that through trades work, I could build something real, travel, and make a meaningful difference in different areas.
I first discovered welding while browsing trades programs at BCIT. I had seen welding on social media and thought it could be something I’d enjoy. In the early days, I reminded myself that even if I didn’t like the trade, I’d still leave school with a worthwhile skill.
A year before I started at BCIT, I had applied and been accepted to the Welding Foundation Program—but I turned it down. I wasn’t ready for such a big change, even though I knew my current path wasn’t right for me.
Nine months later, a second offer came my way, and I knew I couldn’t pass it up. I had grown so much during that time and felt ready, even though it absolutely terrified me.
When I got there, I constantly questioned if I belonged, if I was good enough, or if I would be taken seriously.
Over time, I stopped letting those thoughts define me. I learned to speak up, ask questions, and take up space. I didn’t have to prove I was “one of the guys.” I just had to prove to myself that I could do it—and I did.
Confidence didn’t come overnight. It took a couple of weeks to settle into the program and a few months before I truly felt like I belonged. Everything was unfamiliar and overwhelming at first. Slowly, fear transformed into confidence—one good weld, one challenge, one small win at a time. I stopped comparing myself to others and focused on my own progress. I wasn’t just showing up—I was growing.
Welding is hands-on, creative, and technical. It blends physical skill, precision, problem-solving, and adaptability. Every weld is a chance to improve, build confidence, and create something that lasts.
I love the versatility of the trade. If I don’t like one aspect of welding, it doesn’t mean I don’t like the trade itself. You can be artistic, work near marine construction, work on planes, or do pressurized construction. There is always room to grow.
Although welding can be repetitive, everyone approaches it differently. That individuality feels creative, like painting or drawing, which I used to do all the time growing up.
What matters most in the trades, I’ve learned, isn’t gender—it’s work ethic, mindset, and the willingness to keep learning. I’m proud to be part of a growing movement of women in the trades, helping shift perceptions, challenge stereotypes, and inspire the next generation.
When I applied to BCIT, I also applied for a few bursaries and scholarships but wasn’t successful. Then someone reached out to tell me about the BUILD Scholarship, saying I’d be a strong candidate.
I had never applied for scholarships before because I didn’t think I’d have a chance. I didn’t think I was worth it. But in May 2025, I got the call letting me know I was one of 19 recipients of the BUILD Scholarship.
Winning the scholarship and completing the Welding Foundation Program showed me that I can complete anything I put my mind to. It allowed me to cut down my work hours, focus on school, and invest in what brings me happiness and peace. Most importantly, it taught me that I am worth all the good things this career has to offer.
The scholarship gave me structure, stability, and the belief that I could build something meaningful—both literally and figuratively. I’m proud to be part of the first-ever BUILD cohort, and I hope to inspire the next generation. I will always strive to make a change and grow the community I’m in—and through Beedie Luminaries, I get that opportunity.
Inspired by Rachelle’s story? Apply to become a Beedie Luminary today.
