LSU Career Chats: Gabby Welty, Halliburton

When you think of an engineer what do you see? The engineering field has long held our attention as a male-dominated field. Today, women in STEM are taking the engineering world by storm, showing us that this field can and should be for everyone.

LSU Alumna Gabby Welty started college looking for a challenge. She was confident in her problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities, so she began looking at what options would fit her best. Welty found engineering as a way to solve new problems and make an impact on the world, and ultimately decided to pursue a degree in the field.

Welty broke into the industry when she learned about the LSU Halliburton Scholars program. As a Sophomore, Welty researched scholarships for students studying engineering. The Halliburton program caught her attention because of the impressive workload and financial freedom it provided. This opportunity gives students a chance to partner with LSU faculty members and assist with real-life research. Participants also receive a scholarship and internship opportunities with Halliburton. When asked about her time as an intern, Welty took the opportunity to highlight her employers:

“I loved my internship! The work I did as an intern with Halliburton was impactful, valuable, and directly helped the business. It showed that the company was vested in my success , even as an intern.”

Reflecting on her experience as a woman in engineering, Welty quotes the mantra from International Women’s Day: “Break the Bias.” This mantra stuck with her as she grew from an intern at Halliburton to a full-time Manufacturing Production Group Leader. She now oversees a team of 32 mechanical assemblers who build explosive products used in the Wireline & Perforating services that Halliburton provides to its customers. To her, breaking the bias means pulling up a seat at the table and not waiting for one to come to you. Welty says, "Representation in the industry matters, and sometimes you have to be that for yourself."

The Halliburton Scholars program is eligible for any student pursuing a degree in engineering from LSU. To diversify the field, the application process tends to favor female applicants.

This partnership between LSU and Halliburton is propelling the future of engineering as we know it. After all, a diverse team of thinkers is the key to solving tomorrow's diverse problems.

“I feel like I have such a big opportunity to be a leader in a time where we are trying to make change for women in STEM. Being a part of that at Halliburton has been overwhelmingly exciting.”