Illustration by Ian D. Loomis
Ezra McDonell stands in WCC’s welding department in the Larry L. Whitworth Occupational Education building, Oct. 26. Shelby Beaty | The Washtenaw Voice
A second-time-around female student thrives in an industry dominated by men
by JAMES CASON
Deputy Editor
WCC welding technology student Ezra McDonell was awarded an internship with SME, a Plymouth-based engineering and consulting firm. She received a surprise twist – a part-time lab assistant job and the promise of a full-time position after graduation in May 2022.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting to land a job so soon. I didn’t think I would get a job in the field until after I graduated,” said McDonell, 30, a second-year welding student in WCC’s two-year associate degree program.
McDonell came to WCC in the fall of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic in search of welding courses to better qualify for a plumber’s union apprenticeship for which she applied. The union’s interview process was delayed indefinitely once the shutdown began; McDonell saw this as the perfect opportunity to further her education toward a desired plumbing industry career. After taking some initial welding courses, McDonell found this field of work enjoyable. She canceled her plumbing plans, going full force into the welding program.
“A degree in welding really made sense for me. Part of my interest in welding comes from my art hobby; I make small sculptures out of soda cans, although I really want to make larger pieces,” said McDonell.
Soda can art
McDonell’s elaborate art hobby and original-designed creations were birthed from a miscommunication with her dad, who formerly worked for an oil rig production company in Texas. In his downtime of repairing broken machines, he told McDonell he made miniature helicopters out of soda cans for fun.
“In my brain, I thought he was making little miniature helicopters out of strips of soda cans,” said McDonell. “So, I was like, ‘dad, look, I did what you do.’ And he’s like, ‘that’s not remotely what I do, but that’s really cool.'”
Her dad was flattening cans and spinning them around like helicopters; she was making miniature masterpieces.
McDonell’s soda can art statues: the dragon, the cat, and the horse in WCC’s welding department in the Larry L. Whitworth Occupational Education building, Oct. 26. Shelby Beaty | The Washtenaw Voice
Second time around
McDonell first attended Texas A&M at 18, where she majored in mechanical engineering while working two jobs. Due to finances, she had to stop. The second go-round of enrolling for classes has proven to be more successful.
“The first time I went, I was paying by myself, and that didn’t work out for very long,” said McDonell. The second time around, I’m in a better place and can afford it – not just because I’ve been working so long, but because of the Michigan Reconnect scholarship, which has helped me pay for my schooling.”
McDonell and her partner Alex relocated from San Francisco to Michigan in 2018 to take care of Alex’s ailing grandmother. McDonell quickly landed a job as a receptionist at a local animal clinic in Ann Arbor. While driving to work every day, McDonell couldn’t help but notice WCC’s outdoor signage.
“I was like, ‘huh, there’s a little college in there.’ The green sign just always caught my eye when I was driving down Clark Road,” said McDonell.
Two years later, McDonell decided to drive beyond the green sign and into the WCC parking lot, where she took the next step toward her future. McDonell says her WCC instructors have been excellent and have helped her learn the ins and outs of welding and what to expect in the field. Additionally, she has enjoyed connecting with her classmates as they talk about their welding progress and life in general.
“WCC is so welcoming and just an inspiring kind of environment,” said McDonell. “Everyone’s always happy to see each other, always looking to help each other move forward, to find that next step.”
Left – Alex McNulty (partner), center – Ezra McDonell, right – Ron McDonell (father) | photo courtesy of Ezra McDonell
The internship
After winter semester 2021, WCC welding instructor Alex Pazkowski recommended McDonell for a welding internship at SME. She was selected for the program and excited to gain real work experience outside the WCC classroom. McDonell had a blast from assisting certified welders on job sites to looking at highway bridge structures and completing warranty inspections. Her internship was supposed to end the last week of August, but her supervisors were impressed with her work ethic and offered her a job.
“They decided to hire me as a part-time employee until I graduate. After that, they’ll bring me on full time,” said McDonell.
McDonell’s most significant challenge has been feeling inexperienced in this new field, overwhelmed with everything outside her area of expertise.
“I now keep a little notebook on me and write down new concepts or situations I experience so that I have something to reference.”
Women in welding
Compared to the number of women in WCC’s welding program, McDonell believes there are more female employees in the field at SME.
“I would say there’s actually more female employees for the construction steel group because they’re working on trying to equalize the gender ratio,” said McDonell. “Not intentionally, but there are more women who are qualified for the positions that they’re looking for.”
However, there still aren’t very many women on job sites, according to McDonell.
“When we go to construction sites, it’s mostly men. But I’m actually really liking that I keep seeing more and more female welders and female teachers.”
Hesitant to return to college after many years?
“Go for it,” said McDonell. “There’s so many ways that can help you get through a degree at WCC. Not to mention the teachers helping, but the Michigan Reconnect scholarship covers anything that financial aid doesn’t cover. It’s amazing.”
“I think I fit in well with the DNA of WCC because I’m what they call a non-traditional student. And there’s more and more non-traditional students going to college.”