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Meet Killian, a former bartender by day, stripper by night kinda girl. After years of working as a server, going to school full time, and stripping on the weekends, she finally decided to try something that would make her happy mentally, physically, and financially. “I am extremely introverted so working in a setting where I have to approach people for an entire shift took a toll on me. I dropped out of college, quit both jobs and picked up welding.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Welding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
“I got into it because of my dad. He is a certified welding inspector (CWI) and suggested a trade (specifically welding) since I have always enjoyed working with my hands and building stuff. At the time, I was actively racing cars (drifting), so he pointed out that I could build roll cages and other custom things for the automotive industry. I thought it couldn\u2019t hurt.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Killian creates handcrafted metal art and sculptures. “I specialize in patriotic metal flags, like the sh** you see in those annoying IG ads, except that my flags are all cut by hand. I don\u2019t use a CNC machine or do production work. It\u2019s what separates my work from everyone else. You\u2019re guaranteed to get a one-of-a-kind piece that hasn\u2019t been mass produced to look like the exact same as the other 10 pieces I\u2019ve made. You\u2019re literally getting something, no one else has. That\u2019s why I choose to do it the way I do. I don\u2019t like being like everyone else.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Killian’s biggest challenges when it comes to owning a business is how to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. It’s not just about doing the work but how to run the business from all angles. “I spend a lot of my time asking myself what the f*** I\u2019m doing, or how am I going to do this, but I keep on going. If I gave up every time I came across a problem I didn\u2019t know how to immediately solve, I wouldn\u2019t be where I\u2019m at now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Yeah, I have, and I\u2019ve actually experienced it more from other women than I have with men, which is mind-blowing. I\u2019ll just say this, if you\u2019re the type of person who thinks because someone is a certain gender, and they don\u2019t \u201cbelong\u201d in the workplace and\/or you think she just sucked her way to success – YOU\u2019RE the problem. That goes for both women and men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Any skilled-trade is an excellent career choice to get into. Skilled-trades are undervalued. They are such a huge part of our every day lives. If you can get into just one trade, as long as you\u2019re willing to put in the footwork, expect to make a pretty decent living from it even as a helper or entry-level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do your research, seek out mentors, attend workshops and networking events, and try out different things that you\u2019re interested in. If you realize you\u2019re not into it, go on to the next thing and keep doing this until you find what you\u2019re looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to have a constant support system to help you through and if you\u2019re fortunate enough to have one, don\u2019t let it go to waste.<\/strong>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the end of it all, welding is for anyone who wants to put in the dirt, sweat, and tears to learn and get good at it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “There is a level of specific intelligence that goes into welding. You have to know metallurgy. You have to know some pretty advanced math depending on what you\u2019re working on. You have to understand how to weld within very strict parameters and not f*** it up when the CWI comes to test it. Some welders literally build rockets.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You’re right. Welding can get very dirty depending on what you\u2019re doing. It\u2019s metal. I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re expecting from us.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What? I can\u2019t hear you over the sound of money and success! All sarcasm aside, there are many opportunities to advance in welding careers. You just have to be self-motivated to seek it out and not expect it to fall in your lap. There are welders who make 6 figures because of their specified skillsets.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Best path for success is to not be lazy. If there\u2019s something you really want, you have to work for it whether it\u2019s by literally busting your a** working, or by doing your research on opportunities for whatever welding job you want. Then GOING OUT to speak to employers, attend workshops, classes, networking, whatever. Successful people don\u2019t wait around to wait for stuff to happen, they go out and make it happen.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bottom line, work for what you want, don\u2019t get worked up over the little things, and if you\u2019re overwhelmed or need help, ask. The skilled-trades industry can be daunting, especially if you\u2019ve never even thought of doing it as a career or have zero knowledge in it. Don\u2019t let it discourage you. It\u2019s a cool career with endless opportunities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about Killian, visit www.thearcroom.com<\/a> or follow her on Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Learning to step out of the comfort zone into a more fulfilling and creative career […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":5024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[63,46,64,65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-rosies","category-welding-fun","category-welding-jobs","category-working-women-society","entry","fw-tab-6 fw-tabr-4"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.arc-zone.com\/carmenelectrode\/wp-content\/uploads\/arcroomblog8.png\")
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One year after graduating from her welding courses, Killian began working as a helper at a fan shop. “I hated production work so I went my separate way and started my own business.” Even with zero start-up money, the joy of working for herself, doing things her way, and creating the art she loved was just the boost she needed to get her life back on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.arc-zone.com\/carmenelectrode\/wp-content\/uploads\/arcroomblog4.png\")
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Challenges of Being a Businesswoman <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.arc-zone.com\/carmenelectrode\/wp-content\/uploads\/arcroomblog9-3.png\")
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Owning a business is tough enough. But nothing’s tougher than being a woman in such a male-dominated industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHave you experienced discrimination as a woman welder? How have you handled it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Generally, I won\u2019t let it bother me, especially passive aggressive actions\/comments under the breath, but if someone is going out of their way to be an as*****, I have no problem speaking up and shutting it down. It\u2019s hard enough being a woman with all of society\u2019s expectations on how we\u2019re supposed to present ourselves. We don\u2019t need it any harder in an industry where women are not usually present in the workforce.”<\/p>\n\n\n\nDo you think it is a good career path for a young woman starting out today? What advice would you give her?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help and reach out to people experienced in your field. There\u2019s nothing wrong with asking questions. Reach out on social media, there\u2019s loads of us out there who are more than willing to offer advice and guide you in the right direction. Us women in the industry love to see other women breaking the barriers and doing what people don\u2019t expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat do you have to say about these common misconceptions of welding?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Welding is not work for women<\/h4>\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t need to be smart to be a welder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Welding is dirty work<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
There are not a lot of opportunities to advance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the best path for success, especially given the projected shortage of skilled welders? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re just starting out in the skilled-trades, know that not everything is going to go the way you want it to. You will need to develop a thick skin and not get offended at every little thing because yeah, it is dominated by a bunch of old-school bros and some younger ones. Dudes are gonna be dudes. Don\u2019t take it too personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.arc-zone.com\/carmenelectrode\/wp-content\/uploads\/arcroomblog9-8.png\")
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That’s A Wrap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n