Still Building America—The proof is in the weld

Weld by Sam Riggin.

Art is often imitated. Writing can be plagiarized. Ideas can be stolen. But when the fire hits the metal, your weld will either hold or it won’t. It stands on its own.

Humans possess an incredible potential … that is to “be.” Not to merely exist, not to just eat, sleep, and die. We can craft a life around a passion. No matter the results of a cosmic lottery that put each of our souls at a certain place during a certain time in a certain body, we are responsible for what we become.

Sam Riggin has chosen to become a welder. The trade life isn’t easy for women; factories and fab shops are traditionally male-dominated and tough for women to break into. There’s a built-in wall that will break down only if the girl can earn the respect with quality work. Sam has accepted that challenge.

While working for a gun manufacturer, she was exposed to MIG welding. The welding and responsibility that came with it were exciting:

“I really enjoyed it and liked how relaxing it was. And if you mess up, it’s all on you!”

It’s then that Sam went to the Hobart Institute, where she graduated from last May. Now she works in the aerospace industry as a welder for General Electric building exhaust manifolds for commercial planes. The uniqueness of each job and the problem-solving inherent in fabricating keep her going.

“I really enjoy that every part is different (even though it's the same). Every fit-up is different, and you have to figure out how to make it work.

“It's also really rewarding doing something that a lot of people don't really think about when they fly. Like ‘Someone had to make that!’”

Becoming recognized for her work on its own merit is Sam’s goal, and she’s well on her way.

“It's hard as a female welder, and a lot of the time I just get blown off. Then people see my work and have respect for me. Being underestimated by how I look drives me to push harder.”

Sam Riggin working.

Earning respect is one thing, living the life you want to lead is another. I don’t think it’s paradoxical to both strive to be held in high esteem for what you do while also being true to yourself.

And what would Sam say to those who’d dare venture down a similar road less traveled?

“My advice would be to pursue what makes you happy. Whatever that may be. I've been told, ‘Oh, you're too pretty to be a welder,’ or ‘Why on earth would you want to do that?’ But it's a job that I love and wouldn't trade it for anything. And at the end of the day, you only have to please yourself. So screw everyone else and chase your dreams!”

All images courtesy of Brown Dog Welding.

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