Mikala Sposito, 21, of Dexter will represent the United States in welding this week at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. The international competition, often called the “Olympics of skilled trades,” runs Sept. 22-27, with competition taking place Sept. 23-26.

MORE NEWS: Michigan House Committee Begins Review of Ballot Petition Process

Sposito is making history as the first woman to represent the United States in welding at WorldSkills. She will be among 1,385 competitors from more than 68 countries and regions competing in 64 skilled- trade categories.

Sposito is one of nine Americans representing Team USA in Shanghai, with the U.S. delegation competing in eight categories. She is the country’s sole competitor in welding and the first woman ever to represent the United States in that category. Women made up just 4.3% of U.S. construction trade workers in 2025.

From Dexter High School to Team USA

Sposito’s welding journey began at Dexter High School, where she won Michigan’s SkillsUSA high school competition before placing 14th nationally. As a freshman at Washtenaw Community College, she won the state college division and climbed to eighth at nationals, earning a spot in the Team USA pre-trials. After the field was narrowed from 16 welders to three, Sposito won gold at the final USA Weld Trials in Huntsville, Alabama, becoming the first woman selected to represent the United States in welding at WorldSkills.

Getting there wasn’t exactly a casual after-school hobby. Sposito says she trained 60 to 80 hours a week for two years preparing for the opportunity.

On her WorldSkills bio, she says, “You sacrifice so much just for the slight chance of making it to WorldSkills. But the reward is incredible, and it feels even better knowing how hard I worked for it. I put my heart and soul into this competition; I wanted that spot on the WorldSkills team more than anything.”

A $2,100 Scholarship Pays Off

Before earning her Team USA spot, Sposito received a $2,100 work ethic scholarship from Mike Rowe’s mikeroweWORKS Foundation to help pay for her welding education. Rowe recently highlighted Sposito’s journey on social media, saying her success is exactly why his foundation awards scholarships to people pursuing skilled trades.

MORE NEWS: Left to Starve: Genesee County Seeks Help for Abandoned Farm Animals

Sposito had originally requested $2,700. After watching what she accomplished, Rowe decided to make up the difference, announcing he was sending her the remaining $600 as spending money for Shanghai.

Her work ethic was clear even on her original scholarship application. “Hard work beats talent any day of the week, and nobody is going to outwork me. Period,” Sposito wrote.

She also had to agree to the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge. Rowe’s S.W.E.A.T. Pledge – short for “Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo” – is essentially a promise to take responsibility for your own success. Its 12 statements emphasize showing up, working hard, continuing to learn, avoiding excuses and recognizing that opportunity often comes disguised as a difficult job. Scholarship applicants sign the pledge as a commitment to earn their way forward through skill, attitude and old-fashioned work ethic.

No Such Thing as an Overnight Success

Despite people describing her as a “natural,” Sposito has pushed back on the idea that her success came easily. “I’m not a natural,” she said, explaining that years of intensive training got her to this point.

And whatever happens in Shanghai, Sposito’s welding career appears to be heating up. According to Rowe, job offers are already coming in – including one from SpaceX.

Not bad for a Michigan student who once dreamed of making it to the Olympics. Turns out she just needed a different kind of torch.