Elizabeth M. Tammaro, a Pennsylvania College of Technology student, has secured a full-time position in the non-destructive testing (NDT) field ahead of her graduation, marking a significant milestone in her career. Tammaro, who is set to receive an associate degree in NDT on May 17, will be joining Trident Maritime Systems’ custom alloy division in High Bridge, New Jersey, just a few weeks before completing her studies.
Tammaro’s journey into NDT began with an unexpected spark of interest during her high school years. Initially intrigued by welding at a summer camp, she toured the Pennsylvania College of Technology’s 55,000-square-foot lab during an Open House. While impressed by the facility, she realized that welding wasn’t the right fit. It was then that her conversation with welding instructor Michael J. Nau led her to discover the field of NDT.
“Then Mr. Nau talked about NDT, and we ended up having a good conversation,” Tammaro recalled. “He got me to switch. NDT sounded fun. It’s in demand, and you’re not doing the physical work like in welding.” Prior to that conversation, she had no knowledge of NDT. “I had no idea, no clue,” she chuckled.
Non-destructive testing is a vital field that uses non-invasive technologies to assess the integrity of materials and components, ensuring that structures such as buildings, vessels, and machinery meet stringent quality and safety standards. Tammaro’s experience at Penn College has provided her with practical exposure to a variety of NDT processes, including radiographic, ultrasonic, phased-array ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, and visual inspections. The program also prepares students for certification through the American Society of Non-Destructive Testing in radiographic and ultrasonic testing.
“The program has given us a real feel to what we are going to be exposed to in industry,” Tammaro said. “I like radiographic and phased-array UT the most.” Radiographic NDT uses X-rays or gamma rays to reveal internal structures, while phased-array ultrasonic testing utilizes an advanced ultrasonic beam to evaluate materials.
The hands-on experience Tammaro gained in the NDT program, which requires four hours of lab work for every hour of lecture, played a key role in helping her secure her position at Trident Maritime Systems. She discovered the job opening through Indeed.com and was offered a full-time role shortly after her interview.
“I feel confident that they were highly impressed with Elizabeth’s preparedness for the interview, the extensive NDT knowledge she demonstrated, her enthusiasm and professional composure,” said Mark N. Hurd, instructor of NDT and welding. “Elizabeth is, without a doubt, the model student that every teacher wants in their classroom. She is enthusiastic and very passionate about quality and NDT.”
Tammaro’s accomplishments go beyond her academic achievements. A first-generation college student, she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year students. She is also a trailblazer in the NDT field, being one of only two women enrolled in the major.
“At first, it was a little weird, but you just get used to it,” Tammaro said. “You make friends with the guys. They’re just normal people. They treat you the same.”
Tammaro’s determination is reflected in her earlier achievement as the first girl in her area to attain the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, a program that now includes girls. “If you’re going to be in Scouts, you might as well go all the way,” she said. Her Eagle Scout project, which involved installing drop boxes for the collection and retirement of worn American flags, was deeply appreciated by her community.
“During Spring Break, I was back home at an event, and someone came up to me and actually thanked me for the boxes,” Tammaro said. “That put my project in perspective.”
As Tammaro prepares for her new role in NDT at Trident Maritime Systems, she is also continuing her commitment to Scouting by helping her brother maintain the flag collection boxes.
Mark N. Hurd hopes Tammaro’s success will inspire more women to consider careers in NDT. “Inherently, women have the ability to process details and challenges at a higher level,” he said. “This is a quality that separates the exceptional inspector from the good inspector.”
“Companies have indicated to me that they like women inspectors because of their attention to detail,” Nau added.
Tammaro has embraced this potential and is poised to excel in her new career. “Elizabeth has the attributes required to excel in the NDT field,” Hurd said. “She is very detail oriented and has excellent communication skills. This, coupled with the knowledge she has acquired during her time on campus, will no doubt set her up in the best way possible for the NDT career she is about to embark on.”
