Upcoming welder looking for answers

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Hi im 17 been welding since i was 13 ive always every since i started welding wanted to go to school get all my certs and then become a pipeline welder i have a couple questions and if you have any input please help me out.Im thinking of going to tstc (Texas State Technical College) for a year or 2 and getting certified learning blueprints ect. the question i have though is what is the chances or how difficult is it to get a job right out of school. I understand i would probably start as welders helper if i didnt have a rig but before i graduate from tstc im going to build my own bed get a welder on it torches ect. i use mig but have a little experience in tig. so basically what im asking is what is your opinion on what i should do, any input on the school would be nice, and whats the likely hood of me getting a pipeline job right out of school with a rig or starting as a welders helper without one. Any input would be nice thank you-Nate
Reply:Well... college certs will do you no good in the pipeline world. You will test for every gas company that you work for. Mig and Tig are not typically used on any pipeline work, however it would be good to be proficient in both because mig is used in several fab shop situations and tig is common on plant and facilities work in the oilfield. You will not be able to start welding right out of school because pipeline work is a lot different than welding in a shop setting. You could easily find a job as a welders helper if the time of year is right and your willing to follow the work. Pipeline work is typically busy from april/may through November but the months between can be tough for even experienced people to find work. I didn't go to school for welding and a lot of pipeline guys frown upon school taught welders that break out with no practical pipeline experience. My advice is to go to school learn the basics and figure the rest out later. Work for a year or two as a helper, learn the fab side of pipeline work or compressor station work and practice downhill welding in your spare time. Chances are when you make your first test you will barely get by until you have at least 500-1000 hours under your belt. Lots of schools do not teach you much about downhill pipeline welding because most people who are skilled in it are not teaching classes because you can make a lot more actually welding. Good Luck.