[Clinton, N.C.] – In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, Sampson Community College (SCC) is highlighting female students, faculty, staff who have thrived in various trade programs at the College— breaking barriers and inspiring others to follow. One of these programs is Welding Technology, where three students, Lilyanne White, Kira Rebuck, and Ashley Martinez-Pompa are currently paving the way for other female welding students.
White is an upcoming Spring 2025 graduate from both SCC and Sampson Early College High School (SECHS), planning to earn both her Associate in Arts and Welding degrees. Upon graduation, she hopes to enlist in the Navy for Enlisted Nuclear Propulsion— potentially leading her to a career in nuclear welding.
Enrolling at SECHS at 13 years old, White shared that she initially signed up for the Welding program because she wanted a “new” change to her coursework. However, she soon found her passion and began to excel at her craft. Now, White serves as the Teachers Assistant in the Welding program—instructing other students in the trade she loves.
“Honestly, I enrolled in Welding because I was bored with classwork and wanted to try something new. Welding sounded the most fun out of all the trades offered at SCC. Now I really love the people in here and getting to learn things that I would have no idea about if I was in any other field.”
White expressed that she would highly recommend the Welding Technology program to other students, including girls, who plan to pursue a career in trades. In her personal experience, she’s never faced discrimination on campus as a female welder, receiving support from both her peers, students, and instructors– which has made the male-dominated field more welcoming.
She closed, “Welding is super fun and although it can be dirty at times, there’s still plenty of opportunities to let all your unique skills shine through. All of the welding teachers have helped me with lots of advice for both my career path and my schooling, along with other things outside of welding. Although it’s a little weird at first to be around so many men, all of them are super supportive and friendly, which helps make such a male-dominated field a little less scary.”
Similarly, Rebuck is also an upcoming graduate of SECHS in Spring 2025, planning to earn both her Associate of Arts and Welding degrees. After graduating, she plans to pursue a career in the welding field while working towards her degree in industrial management.
Rebuck initially heard of SECHS through her middle school, when advisors from the Early College visited to share about the opportunities offered. Though she felt nervous at first to be a college student, Rebuck soon discovered that she truly made the correct decision for her education.
“At first, I felt a little out of place, wondering if I had made the right choice. But as the day went on, I started to feel more comfortable. Meeting my instructors and classmates reassured me that I wasn’t alone. It was the start of something challenging, but I knew it had the potential to be life-changing.”
Reflecting on her decision to enroll in Welding, Rebuck joked that she never saw herself as a welder early on. However, she ultimately chose the program because she wanted to find a course that would allow her to create tangible things that she “could be proud of.”
She shared, “When enrolling, I also wanted to break stereotypes and prove that women can excel in male dominated fields. During my time in the program, I have enjoyed learning new skills every day and perfecting my welding techniques. I have gained a lot of confidence in myself, and it is great to see how much progress I have made from when I first started.”
Looking back, Rebuck remarked that SCC has taught her to be independent and responsible, both academically and personally. She also recommends the College to other students looking to pursue a career in trades, due to the supportive learning environment with hands-on training, knowledgeable instructors, financial aid availability, post-graduation job opportunities, and strong trade programs for men as well as women.
Rebuck closed, “Stepping into a trade as a woman can be intimidating, but SCC has provided a supportive environment where I’ve been able to prove to myself that I’m capable of succeeding in the welding field. As more women pursue these traditionally male-dominated industries, SCC offers a welcoming space with resources to help them succeed. For any woman considering a career in the trades, SCC is a great place to gain confidence and experience.”
Finally, Martinez-Pompa is a 2022 high school graduate who enrolled at SCC in 2023. Growing up, she would observe as her uncles welded—stating that she always found the art of it to be “fascinating.” Now, she plans to graduate with her Associate in Welding Technology degree in May, before applying for a welding inspector position in the local pipeline.
Martinez-Pompa has traveled from Wake Forest to Clinton every day since she began. Originally searching for and attending closer community colleges, Martinez-Pompa stated that she’d always leave feeling disappointed by the lack of individual interest in students. However, when she came to SCC, she finally found the support she had been searching for— making the early mornings and late night drives worth it.
“My biggest accomplishment is probably that I have driven 1 hour and 37 minutes to get to school and then making that drive again after class, no matter the time or day. I’ve had semesters where I’d wake up around 4 am or get home around 11:30 pm because of the drive. One of my family members suggested I attend SCC because they had such a positive experience when they attended Sampson. Here I feel like my voice is heard so it makes the sacrifice of me driving worth it in the end.”
With graduation on the horizon, Martinez-Pompa expressed that she would highly recommend SCC to other women looking to pursue a career in trades, especially welding. In her eyes, the instructors, especially Sammy Evans, Welding Instructor at SCC, truly care about all students’ futures, offer a sense of “belonging,” and prepare them for the workforce upon graduation.
She closed, “ At first, I was mainly nervous that I wouldn’t make friends or that I would be singled out for being a girl, but everything worked out in the end. My instructors especially made my long commute worth it because I know they have my back and are going to teach me everything before I go out into the real world and work in a male dominated career. Everyone has been was so nice and made me feel like I belonged.”
For more information about the Welding Technology program, visit www.sampsoncc.edu/welding.
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options and early college education. SCC is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities for all.
