Career move help

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I was wondering if I could ask some advice from welders that have been doing this for a long time. I have an opportunity to work as a flux core welder, with paid training, bonuses 401K, insurance and so on. the work is 10 hours a day +, and some weekends. On the other hand, I have a career opportunity with an engineering company that will take me on, hire and train me in inspections, the pay is 40 the first year, and 50 after that. I guess they are taking 10 to train me the first year. I should mention that I have a degree in Chemistry and Environmental safety, so that along with my welding background and certifications is what got this company interested in me. I may also have an opportunity to be a welder in Australia.... LOL Do you guys think going in to Welding inspection is a good career move or should I stick with welding? On one hand I get to master my craft, and on the other I'll probably wont touch a welding machine for a long time. I'm just trying to find a path that will lead to me earning a good income locally one day. I have a family...
Reply:Usually most companies REQUIRE 10 years of welding experience and your CWI license.
Reply:Get your inspection training if they want to pay for it, you can always go back to welding. Welders are a dime a dozen, inspectors are not.
Reply:This your next move not your last move.  I'd go for the inspection job even if you don't like the work some time down the road it's good pay and good experience.Good luck which ever way you go.
Reply:I would go with welding it will teach you more than any damn class has to offer you.
Reply:You have a family - working indoors for a company locally sounds pretty good.You may need that training later.  If you are unfortunate and need to give up physical jobs later, you'll be glad you have a fall-back plan.I didn't have a fall-back plan, injuries forced me to college in my 30's.  Hard to pay for when you are out of work.Something to consider.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Around here, inspections is what a welder gets into at the end of his career.  Seems like a good idea to get into it before the pain sets in.Last edited by OldSparks; 08-18-2013 at 12:40 AM.
Reply:Nice, thanks guys, I have the face to face interview this Tuesday. I'm still going to do the Flux core test on monday just in case. Both jobs away from home, but I'm thinking the inspection rout will lead to more home time and good pay in the future. I think I'm going to push for that, however I could bomb the interview... LOL
Reply:What type of inspector? What certifications will you be working on. I work in NDE and most individuals we use are temp workers for NDE. If you are just looking at a CWI cert there is a lot of work out there but this may require you to move a lot. Is there any mag particle, liquid penetrant, ultrasonic, radiography, eddy current or visual inspection (VT-1, VT-2 or VT-3) certs promised. With any of these certs are obtained there is work available but depending on your backgournd there is major time commitments to obtaining certs, CWI is one of the easiest to obtain. Personally I would go NDE, but am biased as that is the path I am on as well as obtaining my PE in mechanical engineering.
Reply:Inspections is the way to go, NDT offers a lot of great challenges and pick up your CWI also.AWS Certified Welding Inspector,certified welder (unlimited 3G/4G)NDT and Coatinge inspectionShieldarc 250Presion TIG 225Alpha 200xChop sawDrills / grindersband sawoxy/acetylene hand toolsEtc....