Discovering a new path
“I like to build things. I like to work with my hands, so [welding] was another opportunity to get something underneath my belt. I stuck with it and I’m still here.”
Goodwin alum and faculty member Shareece Watkins didn’t set out to become a welder. After high school, feeling bored and unsure of her next steps, she joined Goodwin University’s Welding program on a suggestion from her mother. With a love for working with her hands and building things, she decided to give it a try — never imagining the path it would open.
Overcoming challenges
While earning her Welding certificate at Goodwin, Watkins faced a major obstacle: surgery on her dominant right hand for tennis elbow. Determined not to fall behind, she adapted, learning to weld with her left hand.
This experience not only strengthened her skills but also shaped her approach as a mentor. Today, she can teach students using both hands, helping left-handed learners grasp welding techniques that might otherwise feel difficult.
From graduate to mentor
After completing the program, Watkins explored entrepreneurship and healthcare work, running her own construction and trucking businesses and delivering medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eventually, a former instructor invited her back to Goodwin as a Welding lab technician — a role that perfectly blends her technical expertise with her love of teaching.
Her responsibilities are wide-ranging: preparing materials, maintaining lab safety, ensuring equipment is functioning, and guiding students through projects. Watkins works closely with each student, helping them build confidence and master welding skills.
Creating and innovating
Welding is more than a trade for Watkins — it’s a creative outlet. Her projects range from practical pieces, like a bench she still uses every day, to large-scale creations such as grills made from recycled oil tanks.
“I’m infatuated with artwork now. I didn’t realize how much artwork comes out of welding,” she notes.
Her approach inspires students to think creatively, combine technical skill with artistry, and see every project as a chance to innovate.
Thriving in a male-dominated field
“If they can do it, we can do it — and we can do it ten times better.”
As a woman in welding, Watkins initially faced challenges being heard and recognized. Over time, she earned respect through skill, patience, and collaboration. Her colleagues now call her the “mother of the Welding program,” a nod to her mentorship and the sense of community she fosters.
She encourages other women to pursue welding boldly.
Building a community
Watkins’ journey is a story of resilience, creativity, and mentorship. From overcoming personal setbacks to navigating a male-dominated field, she embodies the supportive, opportunity-driven spirit of Goodwin University.
Through her work, she continues to inspire students, demonstrating that welding is not just a career, but a craft, a community, and a platform for growth.
Follow in Shareece Watkins’ footsteps and turn your curiosity into a career. Goodwin University’s Welding program offers hands-on training, expert instructors, and a supportive community to help you succeed. Apply today and start building a future you can be proud of.
Grace Kuraska is a marketing content writer at Goodwin University where she combines her passion for creativity and storytelling to craft engaging content that resonates with readers. She graduated from University of Connecticut, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Sociology. Grace brings years of experience in writing, editing, and proofreading to craft compelling narratives that connect with audiences and inspire action.