Spark Spotlight - Welder Jenny Hickman
Professional welder Jenny Hickman was born June 19, 1999 in Walterboro, South Carolina. She went to Colleton County High School and had one son named Matthew at the age of 17. She started welding when she was fifteen years old and has always been interested in welding and automotive. During her senior year of high school, Hickman placed in the top ten in the Skills USA competition for diesel mechanics in Greenville, SC. She followed up with welding after highschool, finding that she enjoyed it more than mechanic work. She has two incredibly supportive best friends (Jason and Delenn) who have been like family to her aside from her biological family. “It takes a village to raise a child, and being a single parent at such a young age, I quickly realized that,” Hickman says.
1. How did you get into welding?
When I was a sophomore in high school, I originally was looking for a class that I could pass easily. As I advanced in the class, I realized that I enjoyed it. I continued welding throughout my highschool career and after school, I decided to take my knowledge and experience with welding and continue on with it. I worked as a maintenance technician for a plant, and then later decided to try it out on my own.
2. What aspect of your job do you most enjoy?
With my job, I enjoy the flexibility I’m able to have as a single parent. I found out I was pregnant shortly after graduating highschool, and I was worried it would ruin my chances at a career with welding. However, it only made me push harder. I also enjoy meeting new people and the satisfaction of being able to step back after every job and admire what I’ve fixed or built.
3. What type/style/design of welding do you specialize in?
I specialize in Mig welding and stick welding. I know how to tig weld, but it just didn’t come as natural to me, and being able to feel comfortable while working is a big part of what I do. I’ve created art from my welding, I’ve helped business owners with their equipment, and I’ve been able to make things easier for some people who needed extra storage or stability on trailers, trucks, and vehicles.
4. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is probably the faces of my clients when they see that they have gotten exactly what they’ve asked for. I’m also able to help friends I have known for years with projects they felt defeated by. My six year old son (Matthew) has taken interest in welding and it makes me happy because I’ve never been able to pass my knowledge onto someone until now.
5. What would be your advice to other women thinking of going into welding?
My advice to any woman thinking of going into welding would be for them to go for it! You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take and even if it takes a while for you to learn how to do it, no one wakes up knowing things. You have to learn everything. If you don’t like it or want to continue with it, at least you can say you have a shot and you learned something new. I’ve never been upset or regretted learning a new trade.
