Mikala Sposito Makes History in WorldSkills Welding

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — As a child, Mikala Sposito aspired to break new ground. She wanted to be the first woman to achieve something significant. Now, at 21, her dream is becoming reality.

Sposito, hailing from Dexter, Michigan, is set to be the first woman to represent the U.S. in welding at the WorldSkills Competition held in China. A current student at Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Sposito earned her place by clinching victory at the USA Weld Trials in Huntsville, Alabama, earlier this year.

“It was very close the whole time, but I made it to Shanghai,” she said with determination.

The WorldSkills Competition, often called the Olympics of trades, showcases the world’s elite in areas like construction, IT, manufacturing, and robotics, with welding prominently featured among them.

Sposito marks the sixth WCC student in history to qualify for WorldSkills. The Ann Arbor institution has groomed more WorldSkills welding participants than any other U.S. school. Among these is Sposito’s mentor, Alex Pazkowski, who took second place in 2013. Pazkowski guides her preparation and accompanies her through a series of competitions across Canada and Australia before the WorldSkills event in September.

“It’s a long, hard road,” Pazkowski noted, referring to Sposito’s rigorous training, including 80 hours of weekly welding practice at WCC. “But success will open all kinds of doors.”

Sposito will be assessed on her technical skill and craftsmanship under tight deadlines and strict international standards. She eagerly anticipates competing against top global talent and experiencing international travel for the first time.

Regarding being a trailblazer, Sposito remarked, “I don’t see the gender aspect. Welding requires finesse and precision, not brute strength.” Although women are currently underrepresented in welding, a craft Sposito loved from age 10, she hopes her success inspires others.

“Being the first female to achieve this is very cool,” Sposito stated. Her short-term vision includes earning a bachelor’s in welding engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit. Long-term, she may follow Pazkowski into teaching at WCC.

In any case, Sposito feels pleased to inspire women in trades who have faced challenges along the way.