Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Figueroa

Full-time Welding Instructor, Cerritos College
Associate of Arts in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Welding Fabrication and Layout, and Arc Welding, 2013

As a full-time welding instructor at Cerritos College, Melissa Figueroa is shaping the next generation of skilled welding professionals for high-demand careers in aerospace and beyond. But long before becoming the College’s first female welding faculty member, she was welding parts on one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft.

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in San Diego in a single-parent household, Figueroa originally dreamed of working in law enforcement as a detective in narcotics. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology, Law & Society and an Associate of Arts degree in Spanish Literature from University of California, Irvine in 2005.

Soon after graduating, she began working in sales for WestAir Gases & Equipment, a welding and gas supply company, while going through the application process to join the police department.

It was there that a colleague encouraged her to take welding classes so she could better understand the products she sold. After hearing about the strong reputation of Cerritos College’s welding program, she decided to enroll— a decision that would completely change the course of her life.

Figueroa quickly excelled in the program and discovered a passion for welding. She credits former instructor David Perkins with recognizing her talent early on and encouraging her to pursue the trade professionally. Under his mentorship, she earned multiple associate degrees from Cerritos College in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Welding Fabrication and Layout, and Arc Welding in 2013, along with numerous industry certifications.

Upon completing the program, Perkins recommended her for a position at Honeywell Aerospace, where she became the only female welder on a team of more than 60 welders. At the same time, Figueroa’s background clearance for law enforcement was approved. Faced with a difficult decision, she ultimately chose welding after realizing the career opportunity at Honeywell would provide greater financial security.

That decision led her to work on some of the aerospace industry’s most advanced projects. As a Certified Aluminum Heat Exchanger Welder at Honeywell, Figueroa became one of only four welders selected to work on the F-35 fighter aircraft, one of the world’s most advanced military aircraft and a cornerstone of global air power for the United States and its allies.

She was also instrumental on the Sikorsky helicopter UH-60 Black Hawk project, a best-in-class multi-mission aircraft.

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Figueroa often faced skepticism from others who questioned whether she belonged in the field. Instead of letting the doubt discourage her, she used it as motivation.

“I let my work speak for itself,” she said. “My work was exceptional, and others noticed.”

During her tenure at Honeywell, Figueroa also advocated for safer and ergonomically designed protective equipment for women in the trade.

“When it came down to it, it was about safety,” she said. “I deserved to use equipment and tools designed for women to perform my work safely and at the highest level.”

Today, Figueroa has returned to Cerritos College as the College’s first female full-time welding faculty member. She teaches courses including Welding Fundamentals, Blueprint Reading for Welders, Intermediate and Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and Aerospace Welding. In addition to teaching, she serves in the Faculty Senate, supporting shared governance and academic excellence across the College.

Figueroa is deeply passionate about helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. She partners with companies and unions to help students secure careers at sought-after companies such as SpaceX and Honeywell, while also encouraging more women to pursue careers in welding.

“I encourage the women in my classes not to be afraid to take up space,” she said. “There’s no difference in their ability to do this job compared to the men. If you give 110%, anyone can succeed in this career.”

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in empathy and understanding.

“I know my students have lives outside the classroom that can impact their learning,” she said. “I try to make a personal connection with every student and encourage them to believe in themselves. If they make a mistake, let’s learn from it and keep pushing forward.”

Figueroa credits Cerritos College for providing her with the technical skills, mentorship and confidence that transformed her career trajectory. Now, she is committed to paving the same path for the next generation of welders.