Her Story
About Michelle
Michelle Hunter is a skilled welding instructor, fabricator, and entrepreneur dedicated to advancing careers in the skilled trades through education and mentorship. Since 2023, she has served as a full-time Welding Instructor at Focus: HOPE, where she teaches welding, machining, robotics, forklift operation, and OSHA certification courses. Her passion for hands-on learning is rooted in her own journey into the trades, having entered the welding industry in 2015 through the Flip the Script workforce development program. Today, she is committed to equipping students with the technical knowledge, confidence, and industry readiness needed to secure meaningful careers. Alongside her instructional role, Michelle is the owner and operator of Chelle Welds Fabrication, a mobile welding contracting business she established in 2023. Her professional experience spans welding, fabrication, quality control, and production supervision, providing her with a well-rounded understanding of manufacturing and industrial operations. She has earned OSHA 30 certification, forklift certification, and multiple NIMS credentials in measurement, materials, safety, milling, and lathe operations, making her a certified machinist. As a member of the American Welding Society (AWS), she continues to expand her expertise while preparing to earn her Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential. Michelle's career reflects resilience, continuous growth, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. After attending Western Michigan University, she discovered that the skilled trades—not aviation—were her true calling. Outside of work, she enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle through basketball, volleyball, softball, yoga, and meditation. Guided by perseverance and a belief in giving back, Michelle strives to create opportunities for aspiring tradespeople, empowering the next generation of welders and skilled professionals to build successful and rewarding careers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, my passion for welding, and a strong desire to help others. Staying committed to being a lifelong learner while making a positive impact on others has been the foundation of my journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to start my own business. It taught me to take initiative, create opportunities, and build a career on my own terms.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay consistent and stick with it. Success takes time, and persistence, dedication, and a strong work ethic will help you achieve your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is adapting to each student's unique learning style. It also presents a valuable opportunity to develop more effective teaching methods, foster student success, and create a more engaging learning environment.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are respect for myself and others, self-worth, patience, kindness, and open communication. I believe these principles foster meaningful relationships, create positive environments, and guide every decision I make.
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