Q: What attracted you to welding?
“I was laid off during the pandemic, and it wasn’t the first time I had experienced that kind of uncertainty. I wanted to pursue a career that offered greater stability and long-term opportunities. That’s when I discovered CWIT’s Women in Welding program. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether welding would be the right fit for me, but I quickly realized how much I enjoyed it. From the beginning, I found the work rewarding and knew I wanted to continue developing my skills in the trade.”
Q: How did CWIT prepare you for this work?
“CWIT provided a hands-on learning experience from day one. We spent a significant amount of time in the welding booth, applying what we learned and building real-world skills. The smaller class sizes allowed for individualized instruction, giving me valuable one-on-one time with my instructor and helping me develop a strong foundation in welding.
“By the time I joined S&C Electric, I was still early in my career, but I had the knowledge, confidence, and technical skills needed to succeed and continue growing as a welder.”
Q: What has been your biggest challenge as a welder, and how did you handle it?
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was being the only woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment. Early on, after making a small mistake, a coworker made a comment suggesting women shouldn’t weld. Rather than letting it discourage me, I stayed focused on improving my skills and proving myself through my work. I continued practicing and learning, and over time, I earned the respect of my coworkers. In fact, that same individual later acknowledged that he had been wrong and recognized me as a skilled welder. That experience taught me the importance of perseverance and confidence in your abilities.”
Q: You recently moved into an engineering role at S&C Electric. What does a typical day look like?
“A typical day begins with research and technical problem-solving. I support several welding technologies, including laser and electron beam welders, welding robots, and resistance welders. Much of my work involves testing processes, troubleshooting issues, evaluating new equipment, and helping optimize welding operations. I also collaborate with different teams to improve process efficiency and product quality. I’m currently expanding my expertise and will soon begin additional training on the beam welder, which is an exciting next step in my role.”
