Why I Chose Welding as My Career Path If you had asked me a year ago what I wanted to do with my life, I would have told you I was planning to study electrical engineering. It seemed like a solid career with good pay and opportunities, and I liked working with my hands and problem solving. But everything changed when I stepped into my high school welding class. I had never welded before, but the moment I put on the helmet, struck an arc, and saw the sparks fly, I felt something click inside me. That day, I realized I didn’t just enjoy welding—I loved it. I had found something I could actually see myself doing for the rest of my life. Welding gives me a sense of pride and purpose that I hadn’t felt before. There is something powerful about working with metal, about joining pieces together to create something strong and useful. I enjoy the focus it takes, the attention to detail, and the satisfaction of seeing the finished product. It’s a skill that takes time, effort, and patience to master—and I’m ready for the challenge. Because of this experience, I’ve decided to fully commit to welding as my career. I plan to attend Missouri Welding Institute after I graduate, where I’ll receive hands-on training from experienced instructors and work toward becoming a certified welder. I know this path won’t always be easy, but I’m prepared to work hard and stay focused. I believe that with the right training and attitude, I can succeed in this field and eventually earn a position with a solid company where I can keep growing.

My Path to Welding and Giving Back to My Community For a long time, I thought I wanted to major in electrical engineering. It seemed like a solid, respected career path, and I’ve always liked working with my hands and figuring things out. But everything changed this past year when I joined a welding class. The first time I struck an arc and saw the metal melt and fuse together, something clicked. I realized I didn’t just enjoy welding—I was good at it, and I wanted to keep getting better. That class opened my eyes to a different future, one where I could build a real career doing something I love. Now, I’ve decided to pursue welding as my trade. I plan to attend Missouri Welding Institute to sharpen my skills, gain more hands-on experience, and become a certified welder. I actually had a chance to be cetified in 1G welding this past year, but sadly my weld cracked so I wasnt able to get that certification .I know that to succeed in this field, I’ll need more than just talent—I’ll need training, discipline, and a strong work ethic. That’s why I’m committed to putting in the time and effort to truly master my trade. My goal is to learn as much as I can, graduate with confidence, and begin job hunting for opportunities that allow me to grow and support myself and my future family. But for me, it doesn’t stop there. I don’t just want to take what I’ve learned and move on—I want to give back. I come from a community where opportunities in the trades aren’t always talked about or offered. I want to help change that. One way I plan to give back is by returning to Open Gate Homeless Shelter, a place that has always been close to my heart. I want to volunteer my time, share my experience, and help in any way I can. Whether that means teaching basic welding skills, fixing broken equipment, or just being someone the younger generation can talk to, I’m ready to be that person. Welding gave me a direction when I wasn’t sure where to go. It gave me something to work toward and be proud of. I want others to feel that same sense of purpose. By continuing my education at Missouri Welding Institute and staying connected to my roots, I hope to build a life that makes a difference starting with myself, and then reaching out to others.

Why I Chose STEM and How I Hope to Make a Difference The first time I held a welding torch, was my junior year in high-school, I knew I had found something I was truly passionate about. The sparks, the heat, the focus it takes, and the satisfaction of seeing metal come together to create something strong—it all just clicked for me. Welding felt natural, and for the first time, I saw a clear path for my future. That is why I chose to pursue a career in a STEM field. Welding is not just a job to me. It is a skill that can open doors, create opportunities, and make a lasting impact. As a proud Mexican student, I want to break barriers in an industry where people of color are often underrepresented. I believe it is important for young people from all backgrounds to see that there is a place for them in STEM careers. Growing up, I did not always see people who looked like me in roles that required technical or scientific skills. That can make it hard to imagine yourself in those positions. But I want to help change that. I want to be someone others can relate to and be inspired by, especially those in my community. Welding might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of STEM, but it plays a major role in science, technology, engineering, and math. Welders help build bridges, buildings, machines, and even renewable energy systems. We are the hands behind the infrastructure that keeps the world running. I want to be part of that. I want to use my skills to work on projects that matter and help build a safer and stronger future. I also want to give back. One of my biggest goals is to return to my community and show others what is possible. Whether that means helping students learn about trades, offering mentorship, or just sharing my story, I want to lift others up as I move forward. STEM is not just about technology—it is about people, and how we can use our knowledge and skills to improve lives. By choosing welding, I am choosing a career with purpose. I am choosing to build, to grow, and to inspire. And as a Mexican student in STEM, I am proud to carry my culture with me every step of the way.