As the manufacturing industry continues to face a growing skilled trades labor gap, the future of welding and aerospace manufacturing depends on young professionals who are willing to learn, adapt, and commit to mastering their craft. At Lynn Welding, that future is already taking shape through welders like Julia and Connor—two early-career fusion welders whose paths into welding highlight the importance of technical education, hands-on training, and mentorship in modern manufacturing careers.
Finding the “Spark” in Welding Beyond the Traditional Path
Julia’s introduction to welding began long before she ever stepped into a welding booth. Growing up around the trades shaped her understanding of hands-on work. As she explains, “What first sparked my interest was my father, because he is in the trades, so ever since I was younger, I was exposed to that.” Her father worked as a plumber and later went on to own his own business, where Julia began her professional journey before joining Lynn Welding.
By high school, Julia realized that traditional classroom learning was not the right fit. An automotive class confirmed what she already felt, and discovering welding provided clarity and direction. A shadow day at Lincoln Tech cemented that decision: “I tried welding for the first time, and I knew instantly, this is for me. It's what I want to do.”
That moment transformed how Julia approached learning. Where conventional education left her disengaged, career-focused technical training gave her purpose. She describes the shift clearly from struggling in school to finding clarity in the skilled trades. “The hardest thing was going to school and just not being interested at all. Once I figured out welding and I was comfortable, I wanted to go learn every day… going to tech school, I was excited. I had that motivation.” For many entering the skilled trades, this direct connection between learning and real-world application is what makes vocational education so impactful.
Technical Education and Career Direction
Julia’s career path was shaped by exposure and guidance. She credits her high school instructor, Mrs. Hemming, who helped students explore options beyond a traditional college route. “She helped expose students to different opportunities instead of college,” Julia said. “And she set up meetings with women who worked in the welding field and got to speak to those people. So, I learned from their experiences,” she said. These conversations reinforced welding as not only attainable, but sustainable as a long-term skilled trade career.
Connor’s journey into welding reflects another common pathway into the trades. Raised around blue-collar work, he developed early respect for skilled labor. “I've always been a worker with my hands. I've always appreciated blue collar work,” he said, describing a family background that included carpentry and linemen. While the trades were familiar, Connor wanted to define his own direction—and welding became that opportunity.
His decision was solidified during a shadow day at Lincoln Tech, where mentorship and honesty played a key role. He recalls an instructor being direct about expectations: “If you don't have welding as your number one, I wouldn't come to this school.” After hours of welding, that same instructor offered encouragement: “You have a natural talent in it. But… stay humble, keep working hard.” That balance of confidence and accountability set the tone for Connor’s career development.
Like many entering the trades, Connor started school without a defined end goal. “I went to school without any plan. I didn't know if I want to do aerospace, if I wanted to be in the union, Pipeliner, or any type of that route,” he said. Over time, hands-on experience helped clarify his strengths. “I was better at TIG welding than any other types of welding,” he explained—a realization that ultimately led him to Lynn Welding.
Gaining Real-World Experience at Lynn Welding
Transitioning from school to a professional aerospace manufacturing environment presented new challenges. Julia joined Lynn Welding at just 18 years old, navigating both a fast-paced shop floor and being the only woman on the team. “I was so scared… I'm the only girl… and I'm young too,” she said. Initially reserved, she gained confidence through support from coworkers. “People here made me feel really comfortable and helped me get out of my shell, I used to not talk at all,” she says, adding that the encouragement gave her the confidence to ask questions and seek help when needed.
Connor approached the transition with humility and a focus on learning. Advice passed down from both his instructor and family continues to guide him: “I have two ears and one mouth. I try to use my ears twice as much as my mouth.” That mindset helped him adapt quickly. “I'm not perfect, but I can learn just as much as anybody else,” he said, emphasizing the importance of remaining open to feedback —good or bad—in a precision-driven industry.
Growth Through Challenges and Continuous Learning
Both welders continue to grow by embracing challenges rather than avoiding them. For Julia, growth means honest feedback and full exposure to learning opportunities. “I just want to learn and make sure that I'm fully exposed and learning everything,” she said, adding, “I feel like maybe some people might be scared of talking to me or let me know the truth. Just rip the band aid off. Tell me if I did bad.” Emphasizing that this stage of her career is about learning from mistakes, because you can’t learn if you don’t know.
Connor identifies communication as his biggest learning curve—specifically, translating what he understands internally into something others can easily follow. As he explains, “We kind of know what we're doing in our head, but it's just a matter of explaining it. So, whenever I would need help, I would really have to think about what I'm doing,” he said.
The adjustment was compounded by the fact that this role marked his first professional job. “That was probably a big one also being in a professional job, it's the first one that I've ever worked. I've only worked for family previously,” Connor shared. Transitioning into a new environment pushed him beyond his comfort zone, but he embraced the challenge, he made a conscious effort to say yes to every opportunity. Connor approached each task as a chance to grow his skills, take pride in his work, and continue developing as a professional.
When asked what advice they would give to others considering welding careers, both emphasize initiative and consistency. Julia encourages young people to take that first step, even when it feels intimidating:
“I'd say just to do it. The biggest thing I did was really put myself out there, I was looking for a job, I was so scared, but I had to put myself out there and go in person. I went to places, and I knocked on the door. I was like, hey, can I get an application...Because then you actually meet the people that you could potentially be working with, or they might be able to squeeze you in for an interview. Really, just putting your foot in the door and stepping up”
Connor points to work ethic and repetition, recalling his grandfather’s advice to “show up 30 minutes early and leave 30 minutes after you're supposed to go home.” For welding specifically, he keeps it straightforward:
“Just take the time and be in the booth underneath the hood and keep welding, gaining hands-on experience with that. The more experience you get, the better it's going to be. Starting out, how to get that is just to be under the hood as much as you can and listen and learn to people who are above you”.
Building the Future of Skilled Trades
Julia and Connor represent the next generation of skilled trades professionals—driven by hands-on learning, shaped by mentorship, and strengthened by a willingness to listen, learn and improve. Their stories show that building the future of welding and aerospace manufacturing isn’t just about teaching technique; it’s about creating accessible career pathways, fostering confidence, and reinforcing the long-term value of skilled trades in today’s manufacturing workforce.