Still Building America: Aspiring welder Haley DeMitchell

Haley DeMitchell is a welding student at Ferris State University. Photo provided

At the end of June we attended a celebration of all things America and automotive at the “Cars Under the Stars” fireworks event at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Mich. Among the crowd of friends and strangers we overheard a conversation nearby. A young girl was talking about her passion for welding, and we couldn’t help but to jump in and introduce ourselves. We never tire of hearing things like, “I remember the first process I tried, which was stick welding, and with that first strike I fell in love with it.”

Meet Haley DeMitchell, a 20-year-old welding student at Ferris State University in Michigan.

Josh Welton: How did you decide on your career path? We’d love to hear about how you chose your school too.

Haley DeMitchell: I did a TEC tour at St. Clair TEC and I was deciding between three programs, but I decided to do a daytime visit for the welding program. I remember the first process I tried, which was stick welding, and with that first strike I fell in love with it. Everything about it I love. When it came to college, the first thing I did was look up the top welding school in our state and that was Ferris State University. I applied, and a few weeks later I got accepted into Ferris. I wanted the top school because I knew they could supply me with a lot of knowledge for the trade.

JW: Who were your influences, and who has impacted your life (all around in life or welding)?

HD: My grandpa and dad talked to me about welding. My grandpa was the one to really get me into welding and always influence me to keep with my dreams. My mom and dad are my support system. My dad also went to Ferris for a year, and he explained everything they had to offer. Lastly, the person who actually was there teaching me all the processes in the shop is my paraprofessional, Jim Lay. He was like my dad in the shop. He kept an eye on me and taught me everything I needed to know. He really showed me every reason why I wanted to keep going with the career I’ve chosen.

Darla Welton: Are there other life experiences, hobbies, or things that have inspired you or your passion?

HD: One thing that has inspired my passion was seeing the things I can create with fire and metal. I had to do a major research paper in college and researched as much as I could about welding. I fell more in love with the things I am going to be able to create. My job is pretty much playing with fire to create millions of objects. Knowing this makes my passion burn even more for this trade!

JW: What type of training do you have (self-taught, from your family, shop class in school, vocational school, college, etc.)?

HD: What I learned at TEC provided two years of training before attending Ferris State University. Two years might not seem like a lot of time, but I learned so much in those two years and I am so eager to learn more. I have four more years of training at Ferris State while I pursue my bachelor’s degree in welding.

Haley DeMitchell. Photo provided

DW: What is your favorite thing about welding?

HD: My favorite thing about welding is probably aluminum TIG. I just love the way it turns out. I love everything about welding, but TIG is my most favorite thing to do.

DW: What is the most challenging part of your welding career so far?

HD: Everything in welding is a challenge, but that’s because welding is an art and a science. But the greatest challenge so far is the gender role. Most people don’t like to say it because it is a touchy subject. I’ve been talked down to, I’ve had dirty looks, I’ve been pushed around a lot, and I’m always challenged to see if I’m meant to be there. But I take it as a benefit because, at the end of the day, it’s about showing myself that I can do this, and no matter what anyone says, it doesn’t show who the better welder is. Once we lay the bead that’s when it is proven. That’s when we see if the big talk they give was really worth it.

There is a plus side of it, which is being a role model for younger women to come into this trade. Also, I get a lot of positive commentsabout being a woman in a “man’s field.” Heading into welding I was told I’m going to have the weight of the world on my shoulders because I’ll be tested no matter where I go as a female. I’m fine with anything they throw my way, because it’s just showing myself and others that if I can do it, they can do it too. I want to be a positive role model for everyone.

JW: What's your future goal or dreams for your career?

HD: After earning my bachelor’s degree from Ferris State I plan on working in some shops for real-world experience and then hope to become a welding inspector. Later down the line I would love to get my teaching degree and teach welding at a trades school of some sort.

DW: Do you have a favorite welding project or welding achievement you are particularly proud of?

HD: I did SkillsUSA. I won first for locals and regionals. I then proceeded to states. I didn’t place in the top three, but I did place in the top 10,which I was really proud of. It was my first time at states and I only had a year of welding under my belt. I actually didn’t know how to read a blueprint that was given to us, and we only had an hour to weld - so the pressure was on! TEC never taught us how to read a blueprint, but I worked with what Mr. Lay taught me. Having about 30 to 35 kids to compete against was a challenge, but I showed myself proud.

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

“I remember the first process I tried, which was stick welding, and with that first strike I fell in love with it,” says Haley DeMitchell. Photo provided

HD: First things first is step out of your comfort zone. I did that when I walked up into the welding class, which was full of guys. I was looking around thinking, “What did I get myself into?” When looking into anything that you’re going to go into ask people around you if they know anything or ask if they know anyone who knows anything about it. Also, do your research and actually go into detail because this is going to be your future, so you want to know if you really want to do this.

I wake up every day knowing that I will love doing what I’m doing for a job even if it’s repetitive because I fell in love with it. Never let gender roles hold you back from the career you want to do most. You would be so disappointed as you get older knowing that you didn’t try. I thank my grandpa and my dad every time I come home from welding, saying thank you for pushing me and telling me even if the guys are hard on me that I can prove myself by welding better than them! And I prove it every single time that I walk into the shop. Believe in yourself no matter the opinions you get. Nobody’s opinions matter because it’s your life, so step out and live because you’ll love every step of the way, just like I do.

Check out more stories from the Still Building America series.