How did you become an underwater welder?

I was starting my senior year at Cal State L.A., in the journalism department, when the department was cut. Two friends of mine were going to the College of Oceaneering in Wilmington, Calif. They were having fun while I was going through hell. They graduated and got jobs right away. I was, like, what the hell am I doing here? One of them mentioned that he thought I'd do pretty well as a welder. The next thing I know I was sitting at dinner with my mom. I said "mom, I'm dropping out of college to go to the College of Oceaneering." She was pissed at first, but it worked out great.

Did you already know how to dive?

I knew nothing about it. All I knew is that I didn't mind working hard, and I liked doing exciting, challenging things. They teach you diving and welding, and other skills, too. I met people there who changed my life. Now that I'm out in the field, I know made the right decision. I have the best job. Even on the bad days, I'd rather be doing this than working for some management company.

What's a bad day at work?

A bad day is when it's pouring down rain. You've been standing outside for 12 hours and a drill rig is pulling mud out and dripping it all over your head. They want you to make three more welds -- not little welds; this is 28-inch diameter pipe. That's a bad day, because it's too damn long and too damn cold. While you're there, you're cursing at everybody. But on the way home, you're like, damn that was fun.

Is your job dangerous?

It's as dangerous as you allow it to be. Everybody asks me that. My standard answer is, if you understand the technology and trust the people around you, it's still dangerous, but not as dangerous as everybody thinks. The key is understanding the technology yourself. Don't trust anybody to understand it. There's a lot of people that just bullshit their way through work. You've got to trust people that are working with you. But don't count on them.

Have you ever had a bad experience with people you work with?

I caught a guy peeing on my truck because he was mad. I was fresh out of school. My boss was told me, "These guys out here, a lot of them don't know what the hell they're talking about. But this guy, D., look and see what he does." I was eager. I just wanted to work. So we worked together. I went to baseball games with the guy. I thought he was nice. Then we got this job that required a certified underwater welder. I was the only person in our shop who was certified -- and I was right out of school. Needless to say, I stepped on some toes. No one really cared, but he was pissed. Some time later, he and I went out on a job, and the first day I didn't dive. The second day, I didn't dive. When I told him I was supposed to dive, he said, "The boss isn't here." After the last day we were on the boat, I caught him peeing on my truck.

After I told my boss what happened, he was worried I would sue. I wasn't going to sue. I'm not going to blackball myself in such a small community. But I wasn't going to not say anything.

Are you usually the only woman on these projects?

I've never been on a dive job with another woman. Even when I was at a job that lasted a year and a month. I saw some girl laborers that were up there. I don't know what the hell they were doing -- carrying wood around. I never saw anybody really working. I don't mean to be rude, but that's it pretty much.

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