MC039: A Young Woman with Manufacturing Dreams: A conversation with Michelle Mabry

Traditionally the manufacturing industry has been dominated by the presence of men. That’s not a bad thing. But it’s not necessarily a good thing either. Today’s episode of Making Chips is a conversation with one of the many young women who are stepping into the once-male-dominated manufacturing industry and making a very positive difference. When Michelle Mabry moved to Chicago she enrolled in a welding class at a local community college and was set on fire by the wonderful skills and things she could do with a welding torch in her hand. She’s confident that she has a ton to offer the manufacturing industry. Hear her story on this episode of Making Chips.

What inspires a young woman to become a welder?

The answers to that question will be is as different as the young women you’re talking about, but for Michelle Mabry it was the way that welding could be an outlet for creativity and inspiration. She discovered that the skill of welding enables her to create things that otherwise might never come to reality, and that she could transfer those skills to others through teaching and enable them to establish a solid future when there otherwise may not be any hope. Hear more of how Michelle is using her welding experience and education to inspire others to make something great of their lives, on this episode.

Is the modern machine shop an appropriate place for women to be?

Michelle Mabry thinks so… as do the hosts of Making Chips, Jason Zenger and Jim Carr. Modern manufacturing facilities are not your grandfather’s machine shop. By and large today’s shops are clean, technical, skill-oriented environments where women and men can work alongside each other to create the parts and machinery that keep our country running. Jason, Jim, and Michelle have a very open and candid conversation about the unique perspectives that women bring to the manufacturing industry on this episode, and you get to listen in.

Why are women needed in the manufacturing industry?

A unique mindset and perspective is one of the many things women bring into manufacturing, and Jason Zenger and Jim Carr believe it’s sorely needed. Men and women are different and they feel it’s about time we utilized those differences to move the manufacturing industry forward, opening up doors of possibility that until now have gone unnoticed. With the combined insights and creativity of both sexes, manufacturing companies can innovate and grow in ways we’ve not seen yet. Hear more about how this combination of the sexes in the manufacturing industry could move things forward, in this episode.

What about you? Are you willing to take a step into a new field?

When Michelle Mabry first told people that she was going to enroll in a welding class at her local college, she hit opposition almost immediately. People took exception with her choice because she was a woman, because it wasn’t “normal” for a women to don a welding helmet and apron. But Michelle says the naysayers only fuel her determination. It’s not that she wants to be like a man, she wants to be who she is, and welding is one of the channels she uses to express her creativity and make a difference in the world. Hear Michelle’s inspiring story on this episode. Maybe it will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and develop a new skill as well.

Outline of this episode

[1:06] The upcoming Mazak event, “Mazak Discover 2015” - click to register for this incredible event.
[3:12] Introduction to this episode: An inspiring story about following your passion!
[3:45] Industry news - Jim’s participation on a panel discussing smart manufacturing, and Jason’s journey in working through some acquisitions for his company.
[6:10] Introduction of today’s guest: Michelle Mabry.
[7:50] Michelle’s move to Chicago as the catalyst that moved her into the field of welding.
[9:00] What inspired Michelle about welding?
[10:15] Michelle’s enrollment in a welding class: what she learned and the certifications she is earning.
[14:00] Michelle’s aspirations to teach welding once she’s finished with her education.
[16:02] Hopes for the future: Sculptures, encouraging others to consider their possibilities, and the desire to help others excel.)
[17:56] How to get the younger generation or women interested in the manufacturing industry.
[19:21] How a welding lab can breed confidence in people who otherwise might not have it.
[20:26] The power of manufacturing skills to give people a new lease on life and dreams for their future.
[22:04] What the average manufacturing employer is looking for.
[22:43] Michelle’s “Ah Ha!” moment when she knew manufacturing was what she wanted to do.
[23:20] How Michelle dealt with the naysayers.
[24:16] The importance of women in the manufacturing industry.