HawkStrong: Skilled trades industry is a natural path for Chloe Doherty

HFC alumna Chloe Doherty speaks at HFC's Partners Breakfast on March 16 about her career in the skilled trades. She works at ZOLLER, Inc. in Ann Arbor.

HFC alumna Chloe Doherty has always been interested in how everything works.

“I used to take my toys apart and put them back together. I was in Project Lead the Way from 6th to 8th grade. At Anderson High School, I joined my school’s For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Team,” recalled Doherty, of Wyandotte, the third of four children.

Initially, she wanted to become a dentist, but that changed in 7th grade.

“I realized that I wanted to be in the skilled trades as more than just a hobby,” she said. “My PLTW instructor, Mr. Kadlitz, helped me to realize my potential in a STEM-related career. Once I started STEM activities, it just grew from there and I kept getting more and more opportunities to join skilled trades events and classes that it seemed like the most natural path for me.”

HFC provided a great start

Currently, Doherty is an Industry 4.0 Tech Center Engineer at ZOLLER, Inc. in Ann Arbor.

ZOLLER was founded in 1946 in Germany by Alfred Zoller. The third-generation, family-owned company has grown to include 85 sites around the world. Today, ZOLLER offers a complete portfolio of technology for tool presetting, measuring, inspection, balancing, shrinking, tool management and automation. The company founded its North American headquarters in 1997. In 2018, it moved into its brand-new facility in Ann Arbor. The 44,000-square-foot facility houses the U.S. corporate offices and ZOLLER’s Industry 4.0 Tech Center for trainings and demos.

“I am still a few months away from turning 21. However, I have worked at ZOLLER since I was 18,” said Doherty. “I was an apprentice with them until I completed my associate degree at HFC, and now I am transitioning into a full-time role.”

Doherty earned her associate degree in Multi-Skilled Manufacturing Maintenance (Mechatronics) from HFC. She is currently making plans to finish her bachelor’s degree at Siena Heights University.

“HFC provided me with a great start to my career in the trades,” said Doherty. “You had to take responsibility for your test scores and lab completion, so being able to properly manage your time was important. Just like at work, you’re expected to complete what was asked of you to the best of your ability.”

Mentors pushing her to be her best

Doherty recently spoke at HFC’s Partners Breakfast about her career.

“I was honored to have the opportunity. I enjoy being able to share my experience with others,” she said. “I have spoken about being in STEM and talking about my MAT² apprenticeship. I have been a panelist for promoting apprenticeships specifically related to skilled trades on multiple occasions, where I’ve discussed apprenticeships and women’s roles in manufacturing.”

Doherty considers HFC skilled trades instructors James Anderson, Richard Cieslak, Glenn Wisniewski, and Arthur Ibegbu her mentors.

“I feel very lucky to have had a group of mentors who pushed me to work harder and reach goals I never realized I had,” she said. “I am thankful to each of them, as well as other mentors for helping me work achieve my goals.”

Cieslak taught Doherty in three of his classes.

“Chloe was always the first one there and always came with a list of questions,” said Cieslak. “When the other students came in, she would quiz them with notes from her golden notebook. She took thorough notes on everything. She was an excellent student to teach and great example that hard work pays off.”