One of the first scholarship recipients, JCF Class of 2020 Sarah McConkie, is a hardworking welder and tradeswoman with aspirations that touch the sky.
The 2020 Jessi Combs Foundation scholarship program awarded $30,000 to seven women in 2020, including 40-year-old Sarah McConkie, from Bountiful, Utah. Sarah went to school for Rope Access Welding and Pipefitting and found herself working on unusual and well-known structures before she knew it.
“I’ve been working rope access and welding contracts the last few years,” Sarah said. “It’s been a wild ride. The Raiders Stadium has a special place in my heart. That was my first large-scale construction project.”
Sarah said she as was green as green could be. She tried pipefitting in Montana when that wrapped. “While I loved the 6G life, I did not feel like I could be myself in the company culture. I’m too old to betray who I am/want to be, so I moved on.” She explained to us that 6G is a welding position where one can weld a round pipe to another round pipe with a grooved gap space between them, it’s the highest certificate you can get in welding for steel. The only higher certificates would be obscure specialties like underwater or precious metals.
Sarah completed some maintenance and repair contracts on skylights on stadiums and museums in California which she thought was a lot of fun. “I spent a year on The Sphere in Vegas on the ironwork contract,” Sarah added. “It was so fun, creative, and HARD.” That job led to a guy inviting her out to the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, painting the giant cables coming off the towers. “Painting prep is essentially weld prep (grinding, sanding, and washing) so it was both familiar and a fun change of pace.”
“Nothing beats a spot-on execution of a well-conceived design,” Sarah stated. “I love it so much. Buildings, cars, bikes, tools, furniture, landscapes, cities ... I am into all of it. I got into welding and metal because I liked the weight of the materials. I craved that sturdiness. The weight of the metals and consequential tools inspired a sense of mental and physical sharpness that had me hooked.”
Intense contracts with 50–70-hour work weeks have been a fast-track in Sarah’s learning. For that she’s grateful. “I have recently inherited three small stepchildren and life on the road is not what I want for us,” she stated. “Fortunately, nothing beats working for yourself and that will be possible real soon.”
Sarah says there are a few things she’s considering for her own small company: getting her A&P (airframe and powerplant) endorsement and doing small aircraft repair/fabrication. She’d also like to design outdoor spaces with beautiful integrated railings, trellises, bridges, arches and art, or would be content hammering away on the anvil making knives. “Maybe [I’d like to do] all of the above, we’ll see how long I live. In the meantime, I’m still taking some contracts, building out the home shop and trying to make sure the kids don't chop their fingers off.”
“Going to welding school in 2020 was a rebirth and an anchor during an incredibly difficult year. It was huge to have JCF rooting for me. I was able to leave welding school with a new trade and no debt. It was incredibly empowering and freeing.
Four years ago, Sarah was going through a career change, a breakup, and a move. In her words, she needed to “become essential real fast.” When she found JCF, she called a girlfriend, her “hype woman,” and that friend convinced Sarah to apply for the scholarship.
When Sarah won one of the 2020 JCF scholarships, it meant so much that Jessi's brother Kelly called her. “We were both in tears in no time (or at least I was!). It's all a big happiness blur,” she said with a smile.
Sarah’s not exactly sure where she’ll land in her future. “In between contracts I am home getting my pilots license and building out my own blacksmith and welding shops. The future is not sure, but it looks good.”
Meeting Jessi Combs
Although Sarah didn’t know Jessi, the pair met unexpectedly at the Baja 1000 race in Mexico.“I was there driving support for a dirt biker, wearing their jersey. Jessi mistook me for a racer!” Sarah was flattered, but she corrected Jessi. “Jessi was super outgoing. She came right up and introduced herself. I like that she assumed I was a peer racer instead of a girlfriend or fan.”
At that time, Sarah didn't understand the impact and luck of that crossing until later. “Jessi was a powerful woman with an incredible wake growing in her absence and honor,” she said. “I am so grateful she has connected me with fine ladies across the country.”