Apprenticeship vs College

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Hello, gentlemen. Newbie welder here. And very honored to be here and part of a community with so many experienced welders. With that bein said, I'll try and keep this as short as possible. Lol. I have, quite literally, exhausted the search function here at WeldingWeb as well as Google in regards to the title of my thread. I have read the pros and cons in each vocation.  I, quite honestly, I still can't decide which is best and / or better for me. On one hand, I can attend my local community college here in Michigan ( Lansing Community College ), that I've learned is sponsored by Lincoln Electric ... but have to owe money when all is said and done ... and still not be able to get a job, due to not havin actual experience in the field ? Is this correct ? Because I tried talkin to the head instructor at the school, I tried askin for actual job placement numbers from Lincoln Electric ... and got nada from both. All's I was told was, " The job is out there if you go after it. " Which ... and not to be rude ... is kind of a no-brainer.Contacted my local Pipefitters Union ( Local 333 ) and they're not accepting applications until late Spring. So, I guess here's where I'm lost ( hopefully I haven't bored / confused you guys too much ? Lol ! ) ... on one hand I want to try my hand at college. I'd be nice to have a degree in hand ... however, will it serve any purpose in gettin me the good bucks and good jobs out there in the welding world ? Or is it better to go through the apprenticeship ... which I don't even know I'll be able to get into this spring. Am just lookin to get out of my current job situation and get the ball rollin. Just want ... or rather, would like your guys's opinions as to which is better in the long run and offers a better " return ". Thank you all very much for your time.
Reply:Like 7A749 says, it's a tough call either way. It was easy for me I was born in the union, got in my apprenticeship at 17, journeyed out in just 3 1/2-years at 21, because I took extra classes. In my line of work only education that would help is a degree in construction management, or engineering. Getting into a union without help is one tough mother now a days!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I don't think they do it anymore, but it might be worth a try. How I got in the union in front of 200 + applicants trying to get into the apprenticeship. My dad went to the owner of the company he was working for. The owner wrote a letter to the union saying that he would guarantee me at least 30-days of employment.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:These days it looks like employers are looking for experience a lot more than someone fresh out of school. Even with experience you still need to get your foot in the door.
Reply:You almost never see a want ad for a novice. How bout you put in a app to the union and go to school.
Reply:Originally Posted by KevinL90You almost never see a want ad for a novice. How bout you put in a app to the union and go to school.
Reply:Sorry for the late reply, fellas. Work has been incredibly nuts these last couple of days. But I sincerely thank each and every one you for your replies. And I have read each one carefully. 7A749, your help has been invaluable, both in pm as well as in this thread. KevinL90 and Walker, that is not a bad idea at all, as I have considered doin both at the same time. However, with the current economy here in Michigan ( as 7A749 pointed out ), will that make me more valuable to the Union ? More high-profile ? Because I'm definitely willing to do it.One thing that I forgot to mention ( didn't know I it was important ) was that when I was speaking with the LCC instructor ( I forget her name 7A749, but she is a CWI as well I believe ) she did inform me that Tool and Die was comin back and that perhaps that would be somethin to pursue ? Any thoughts ? Opinions, fellas ?Thank you again.
Reply:Some companies count college as work experience. I have done that myself in the past. Today most kids want experience and training drilled into their peabrains for free.Yes, tool and die are coming back, at least on the west coast. There are just not enough with experience to fill the void right now.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Thanks, Shovelon ! Dully noted, my friend !
Reply:Thank you again, 7A749, for your input ! Truly invaluable !  And straight to the point ! Just the way I like it, my friend ! My best friend is an electrician out of Tennessee.  He, himself, has offered me a chance to get into their Unions down there as a Millwright. Will definitely look into it. Not in Tennessee, unfortunately. Too much keepin me here in Michigan. Thank you again !
Reply:Hey, experience is everything, brother ! And I'm a man that listens to those experienced !And know all about MiWorks ! Haha ! Pure hell this summer when I got laid off at my last job ! Pure hell ! The amount of red tape they have you go through is flippin ridiculous ! And will look into the millwrights, electricians, and pipefitters ( what I'd really like to do ) for sure ! Maybe even take some earlier advice and do both the college and union route ?
Reply:Will look into Dart for sure ! And, as you have mentioned, you can't go wrong with a company that pays for your schooling ! That's practically ideal !  And will definitely keep lookin to the Unions as well ! Have only tried the Local 333  Pipefitters Union, as of yet. But will look into the other ones as well. Can't hurt, although I get so darned confused with how many there are out there and what their particular function is ( Google is my friend lol ). And completely agree with the DMV comment regardin MiWorks. Absolutely, positively cannot stand that place. :/ Grew so gawdd#*$ frustrated with them this past Summer when I was laid off for a month and a half, that after a couple weeks of goin through their red tape bs, I didn't even both goin back. And their located a couple blocks from my house ! Lol !Haha ! Yeah, that was one thing the secretary at Local 333 told me about this Spring. Told me study my math, because that'll separate me from the rest of the pack when applying for the apprenticeship.  Hey, no pressure or anything ! ;D
Reply:Will do, my friend ! And thanks again !
Reply:Originally Posted by TazDevilWill do, my friend ! And thanks again !
Reply:Thanks for the reply, Dennis ! Are you referring to : MikeRoweWorks.com ? Will have to check it out if this is the website you are referring to.