Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Becky: Empowering women in my role means more than just teaching skills—it’s about how we show up for each other. In a male-dominated field, it’s already challenging enough. We don’t need to compete or be critical of one another—we need to support, encourage, and lift each other up. When women are confident, prepared, and backed by other women, it changes the entire dynamic of the industry. Q: How did you get started working in your field? Becky: My...

The American Welding Society (AWS) and SkillsUSA announce that Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old student from Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been selected as the official United States competitor in Welding for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled for September 22–27, 2026, in Shanghai, China. Sposito secured her historic spot by winning the USA Weld Trials at the Robotics Technology Park in Huntsville, Alabama. After three rigorous qualifying events, she placed...

What does Empowering Women mean to you? Empowering women, to me, means embodying strength, leadership, and serving as a role model for other women in the industry and manufacturing world. It encompasses having a strong work ethic, leading through change, and setting an example of how to handle adversity, collaborate with others, and foster a dynamic and positive work environment. By being a beacon of change and a source of light for others, we can teach, mentor, and listen. This empowerment...