Welder Alumna Working on New MLS Stadium in St. Louis

Published: 06/21/2021

Out of high school, SCC Alumna Caylyn Powell thought she knew her path forward – engineering. After attending a year of classes at a university, things changed.

“I started realizing that I didn’t want to sit behind a computer and have other people do the work for me,” she said. “I wanted to be in the action and get my hands dirty.” 

So, she decided to become a welder.

“When I realized I wanted to weld, I started looking into local programs. Once I discovered what SCC had to offer, I enrolled in classes as quickly as I could,” said Powell. 

The demand for welding is high in Missouri and across the country. According to the American Welders Society (AWS), the demand is so overwhelming that by 2024, the United States will be short more than 400,000 welders in the workforce. 

“I think more women should go into welding not only because it is fun, but because it shows people that anyone can do it,” explained Powell. “There isn’t a certain type of person who can weld – anyone who really tries and puts their mind to it can do it.”

In December, Powell graduated from SCC with an AAS in Welding and also earned five AWS certifications. She was also awarded the Outstanding Student Award by the American Welding Society.

Soon after graduation, she landed a job at Hillsdale Fabricators. When asked about the projects that have been keeping her busy, Powell answers with a smile.

“I’ve been doing some work on the new MLS soccer stadium in downtown St. Louis. It’s been a great experience so far. I’ve also done some work on the new visitors center for the Missouri Botanical Gardens.” 

According to the latest numbers from the Economic Research Institute, the average salary for welders in Missouri is about $46,000 a year. That number is expected to rise to $51,000 a year by 2025.

For more information on SCC’s welding program, visit stchas.edu/welding.