A WOMAN who is forging a career in a male-dominated industry wants to encourage other young women to follow in her footsteps.
Natalie Lopez labels herself a "welder chick" and is making her mark with a bit of sass in this blue-collar role.
She is also sending sparks flying on her TikTok platform, where she is documenting her life as a woman welder.
It’s not for everyone, but Natalie is reveling in it, even if it is hot, dirty, noisy, and, at times, dangerous.
“Women who weld are bada**," she says.
Followers of her channel can see her and other "bada**" female welders at work in their workshop. It's obvious they love their job.
“I’m a hard worker and wanna show off,” she captioned her video. “I love my job so much. I weld dump trucks, weld utility body landscapers so much to say.”
She signs off with a series of hashtags, including #femaleweldernation #weld #cute.
She hopes her dad will notice. He has promised to buy a welding machine for her if her videos go viral.
Natalie could be onto something. As an older generation of welders retires, the demand for skilled welders is high.
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One thing is for sure, they have attracted comments from seasoned welders impressed by her choice of career, and other young women inspired to consider it as a job.
One veteran welder said: “I've been welding for 38 years, I love your spirit, but please, wear your PPE!”
Another said: “Damn I'd hire you at my shop whenever I open one.”
A fan said: “Thank you for being an awesome chick and doing jobs no one thinks we can.”
Similarly: “Mad respect to all the women who weld and do blue collar work.”
Another said they were holding their ground on the welding front: “In my point of view I say they are better than us guys in welding.”
Finally, a possible broken heart: “I think she stole my heart. Oh well I’m a welder too I can make a new one.” Sweet.
Meanwhile, another female welder said she goes from a 5 to a 10 when she takes off her safety gear, and one more has fans saying she looks hot in overalls covered in ash.
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