Breaking Barriers: First U.S. Female Welder Heads to WorldSkills

When Mikala Sposito was young, she dreamed of being the first female to accomplish something groundbreaking. Now, at 21, she's about to do just that. Hailing from Dexter, Michigan, Sposito will be the first woman to represent the United States in welding at the WorldSkills Competition in China. The event is often dubbed the Olympics of skilled trades.

Her journey to this prestigious stage wasn't simple. Sposito clinched her spot by winning the USA Weld Trials held in Huntsville, Alabama earlier this year. "It was very, very close the whole time, but I was the one who made it to Shanghai," she said. For Sposito, the competition is a chance to pit her skills against global talent, all while navigating unfamiliar territories abroad.

Washtenaw Community College, where Sposito is a student, is no stranger to producing WorldSkills talent. She is the sixth student from WCC to make it to the competition, and her mentor, Alex Pazkowski, will guide her through a slew of events leading up to the main stage in September. With 80 hours of welding practice a week, Sposito's schedule is grueling. But the potential rewards, according to her mentor, could open countless doors.

Here's why her journey matters. Women remain a minority in many technical trades, welding included. Sposito herself doesn't view the craft as requiring brute strength. "It’s actually very fine and precise," she says. As she prepares for the global stage, her achievements are inspire other women in trades where they might have faced barriers.

So, where does this leave us? It's a promising sign for the industry and young women considering similar paths. While Sposito aims for her bachelor's degree in welding engineering, the greater win here's the visibility and inspiration she'll provide for future female welders.