AIST Young Professionals Webinar 
“Relying on You: Building Confidence, Self-Trust and Momentum”

18 March 2026 • 1–2:30 p.m. EST. • Zoom

Kick-start your confidence and reconnect with the version of yourself that knows you’re capable. Being a young professional means facing real challenges before you feel “ready” — and that can be intimidating. But here’s the good news: you don’t need all the answers to move forward. You just need trust in your ability to learn, grow and figure things out along the way.

Join us for a fun, interactive and uplifting session where we’ll unpack self-doubt, explore what self‑reliance really looks like, and highlight why your unique path and skill set are exactly what your workplace needs. Expect relatable stories, interactive moments and plenty of practical tools you can start using immediately.

If you’re ready to feel understood, empowered and just a little more unstoppable — this session is for you.

Key Insights

  • A clearer understanding of how your mind creates doubt — and how to quiet it
  • Practical tools for building confidence through small, consistent actions
  • A mindset shift around motivation and decision-making
  • New ways to trust your own judgment, even when you feel new or unsure
  • The confidence to step into opportunities 

Presenter

Jessica Lake
HR Generalist – Monroe Mill
Gerdau Special Steel North America

 Jessica Lake is an HR generalist at Gerdau’s Monroe Mill in Michigan, with nearly 20 years of experience spanning both operations and human resources. She began her career in 2006 as an hourly employee in the finishing department, holding roles such as heat treat and bar straightener operator, and continues a family legacy — her father retired from Gerdau after 34 years. After 14 years in operations, Lake transitioned into HR in 2020, becoming an HR coordinator in 2022 and earning a promotion to HR generalist in 2024. Lake graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management, completed Gerdau’s Helda women’s leadership program in 2025, and recently earned her SHRM-SCP certification. She previously served on the AIST Women in Steel – Heat & Grit panel and is excited to partner with AIST again for this Young Professionals Webinar. Her nontraditional career path — from retail to steel, and back to college later in life — shaped her belief that success comes from trusting yourself and leading with purpose. She looks forward to sharing practical insights to help young professionals build confidence and navigate their own unique career paths.