Still Building America—Spreading the message about the welding trade

This month’s Still Building America blog features Elizabeth Stanton, a 20-year-old welding and technology student. I recently asked Elizabeth some questions about her work and studies.

JW: Could you explain what kind of work you do? What got you started? How did you decide on your career path?

ES: I am a 3G-certified welder currently pursuing an associate degree in applied sciences to go farther in the welding world. I decided to become a welder because of my father. I watched him welding when I was growing up, and I have always been interested in the way welding works.

JW: What type of background and training do you have?

ES: I was mostly taught by my father, but I also went to a career center during my senior year of high school and took a welding class to further my education. I now am attending community college to finish my education.

JW: What is your favorite part of the path you’ve chosen?

ES: My favorite part of my career choice is building things with my hands. You have to be very detailed when welding, and at times, it also pushes your physical and mental state.

JW: What's your future career goal?

ES: My future goal as a welder is to be the best I can be and also to show younger men and women how amazing this trade is. Just try and get younger generations into the trades where it gets dirty and demanding.

JW: What advice would you give your peers if they wanted to find a similar path?

ES: To my peers, never give up. It gets to be difficult and exhausting at times, but you need to push through it, because being in a hands-on trade is an extremely rewarding feeling.

All images courtesy of Elizabeth Stanton.

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