Sparking Success: A Woman’s Journey from Welding to MBA

This story is part of our Skilled AF podcast series, spotlighting diverse and inspiring voices connected to the skilled trades community.

Jessica (Jessi) Lynn, is Director of Strategic Initiatives for Johnson Controls where she supports Sustainable Infrastructure business operations. She started her career in welding, went back to school to get her construction management degree, and then an MBA. Jessi’s story is one of resilience and hope. She has and continues to be a voice for diverse representation across the skilled trades and the construction industry as a whole.

In this interview we cover:

• Jessi’s upbringing and navigating the education system from a low income household with little resources

• Her struggle in high school and with self-doubt– getting in fights, not feeling book smart

• How she “stumbled” into welding. As her mom says, “welding saved her”

• The doors of opportunity that welding provided, including financial freedom

• Her career path which she describes as “scattered circles” vs. a clear path

• The unique perspective she has now being in a corporate boardroom given her upbringing and welding journey

• What companies need to do a better job at when it comes to recruiting diverse and inclusive talent into both the trades and the construction industry

• Why diverse representation is so important

• The clean energy transition and impact of new technology on workforce development

• Who should consider a career in welding and why

• The career opportunities, including entrepreneurship, that exist in the skilled trades