Giants of Skilled Trades: Allison Fasulo, General Dynamics Electric Boat
Originally from Warwick, Rhode Island, Allison Fasulo spent eight years with a major airline. Facing a layoff prompted her to quickly find a new career path, and with the assistance of her local career center, she decided to pursue her interest in welding. Receiving backlash from friends and family only strengthened her resolve to follow her dream.
In 2015, Allison enrolled in the New England Institute of Technology’s Shipbuilding Marine Trades & Advanced Manufacturing Institute Program, where she trained to become a welder. As one of the first women to graduate from the program, she quickly secured a position as a structural welder at General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB), drawn by the company’s stability.
By the fall of 2018, Allison had become an instructor in EB's Workforce Development Liaison Program, which provides mentorship to students in Career and Technical Education high schools across Rhode Island and Connecticut. She has had a significant presence at numerous schools where her story has inspired students considering their own career paths. Allison has become a role model, generating interest and enthusiasm for the trades and highlighting the exciting career opportunities at EB.
In 2021, she began working in EB’s Active Learning Center, training recently hired welders and helping them transition to the production floor. Recently, she was promoted to Certified Welding Instructor at the weld school in Quonset Point. In August 2023, she received the significant honor of being chosen to weld the Keel Laying Ceremony for the Tang 805 boat, a prestigious recognition for welders at the shipyard.
Allison is qualified in various welding techniques, including Pulse Arc Welding, Spray Arc Welding (MIG), Structural Tungsten-Electrode Inert Gas (TIG) Welding, and Mechanized Pulse and Spray Arc. She spoke with us about her journey to reach new professional heights with these skills.
What inspired you to pursue a career in welding?
After my layoff (from the airline), I was drawn to welding because it offered both stability and significant opportunities for professional growth. The field promised a secure future and the chance to develop valuable, in-demand skills.
How did you handle the initial doubts and resistance from friends and family regarding your career change?
Staying true to myself and having confidence in my abilities. Additionally, the support and guidance from my instructors, who served as strong role models, played a crucial role in helping me thrive in this new field.
As one of the first women welders to graduate from the program, what challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
As one of the first women welders to graduate from the program, I faced the challenge of proving my skills in a male-dominated environment. I focused on building my self-confidence and ensuring my abilities were top-notch, which allowed me to overcome these challenges and gain the respect of my peers.
What do you find most rewarding about your role as a Workforce Development Liaison and Welding Instructor?
The most rewarding aspect of my role is witnessing my students grow and develop their welding skills. Seeing them build their own unique styles and gain confidence in their abilities brings me immense pride and satisfaction.
What message would you give to young people considering careers in the trades?
To young people considering careers in the trades, I’d say that with hard work and focus, you can achieve anything. Trades offer fulfilling and stable career paths where your dedication truly makes a difference.
What key skills and techniques have you mastered in welding, and how have they contributed to your success?
The key skills I’ve mastered in welding include meticulous attention to detail and maintaining patience in fast-paced environments. These skills have been crucial in ensuring high-quality work and adapting to the demands of the industry, significantly contributing to my professional success.
How do you see your role evolving in the training and mentorship of new hires and young students entering the field?
I see my role evolving by continuously enhancing our training programs and developing innovative approaches to mentorship. This ongoing growth allows me to better support new hires and young students, fostering their development and adapting to the changing needs of the industry, which is both exciting and fulfilling.
Careers at General Dynamics Electric Boat are among the thousands available right now in the Opportunities section of BuildSubmarines.com. You can also visit the Training section if you are looking to gain the skills for a skilled trades career.
Written by:
Taylor Massey, BlueForge Alliance
(Photos from Alison Fasulo and General Dynamics Electric Boat)
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