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Hey yall :-)Just a little background here... Im 16 and right now im beautiful, scenic Michigan...I really love to weld, but im the ultimate noob... Haha... Ive got a buzzbox and i guess my welds are okay for me.. They look cool and nothings fallen apart yet, so its all good :-)I decided that i really love to weld, and signed up for a two year course in it at a local tec center... I'll be spending half my days there for the last two years of high school...Im just wondering here... Ive lived here for about five months (we move Alot) and im not that thrilled... The people are kinda friendly... The kids here are really clicky tho, and not too welcoming to strangers... But this seven month winter thing is killing me... Its half way through march and today is was 40 and windy and cloudy and snowing for heavens sake, and theres literally nothing here. The only life in this town is the blue water bridges, and the Canadians they bring over. Theres a few little nice shops and a walmart and a couple gas stations... Thats it... All the industry moved out decades ago, and were an hour and a half from Detroit, with its crime, drugs, %50 unemployment, and other goodies...My family life is total ****, and has been for most of my life... I dont know anyone here, and it is so depressing being here.. I can hardly stand it sometimes...Ive got to leave... Soon... What im asking is, if i went through this two year program and was still into welding as much as i am now, then what??Would i need any other education, etc to get an entry level job and start making a living?? Im sure our wonderful economy and this great job market will offer me many good paying opportunities... My dad used to say, that when he was growing up, they'd hire anyone, for about anything, as long as you had a pulse... And if you didn't, they could probably make arrangements... I think it would be really cool to someday have my own truck and have a welding service.. I think that would be awesome actually... But thats a long ways down the road, a very long ways. What would i be doing with two years of school and no working experience?? This program could count as the first two years of welding classes at the local collage, so what would i be doing if i took the other two years and got a 4 year degree??What kind of money could i be expecting to make?? Id really, really, really like to end up somewhere in the southwest. Somewhere without a seven month winter, a crashed-and-burned economy, and somewhere i could see the sun more then once a week. Somewhere warm... Somewhere a long way away from the crappy life im stuck with right now... Ive got to get out of here... I dont belong here... Any ideas?? Thanks guys :-)
Reply:Don't get too down; life is tough. I don't think any of us get to be where we want to be, or doing what we want (over-all).There is a phrase that was a favorite of one of my oldest sisters; "If it don't kill ya' it just makes ya' stronger."Hang in there and work toward your goals. I'm sure that one day you will look back and be able to think of something or someone that was a benefit or learning experience."SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:If you're so bored, you might try building various items, and selling them. You get practice welding, and you make money at the same time.Also, are there any jobs for 16-year-olds? I think that most supermarkets will hire a bag-boy at 16. You might also look into being a bus-boy at a restaurant. Just keep saving up your money, then when you graduate high school spend it as the down payment on a house, or put together that welding rig you dream of. Your possibilities are bigger than you may think. Just try to think differently from most people, and you will do great. You still have 80% of your life ahead of you. Originally Posted by SundownIIISometimes it's better to remain silent and be thought the fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Reply:Thanks cheesy :-)Theres not many jobs here. The big three are going down hill and taking the whole state with them. Theres people with phds driving taxis here. Its unbeliebable. And because people dont have money, they arent spending it, and so nothing s growing here, and theres no jobs that ive found. I built a deck for someone which turned out pretty nice, but thats about it...
Reply:Well having lived in Michigan most of my life till 06 I can say that there is actually allot to do even living the distance you do from Detroit. Job wise things are getting better based on people I've been talking with so have faith. Since your into welding then you should make friends with the local repair shop / gas station and show them your stick work, it may help you to get some part time work under the table and have a few guys to talk to about what your doing and other stuff. If your school has ROTC or metal shop then you should get involved with it to give yourself an added boost in your tech school training. As for what happens after you get out of both schools depends on your drive and initiative to getting into a job with a good company. To be honest you will have to look where the welding jobs are at and hopefully in 2 years time more jobs will return to Michigan but if not there are several area's where welding jobs are available and plentiful and some of us here live and work in these area's. One that isn't far from you is General Dynamics in Detroit where they build tanks and recently received a new contract for more tanks. Your dad is right for the most part, things were better 40 years ago in Michigan but things changed with Hoffa going AWOL and the oil embargo and fuel efficient imports but things were still good until our current mess came about in 05 but as I said before things are getting better there and Michigan has had a positive job growth recently.A crappy family life can teach you lessons and how to handle some difficult situations and people so learn from it.
Reply:Lance,The HS program you described sounds like the B.O.C.E.S. (Board of Cooperative Education Services) vocational tech program I participated in for my junior/senior years over 35 years ago back in upstate NY. It was always looked upon as "where the dumb kids go" when in reality it's an excellent place to learn a vast array of life work skills. It simply requires a little determination and focus on the part of the student. Of course there's the occassional teacher that should have chosen a different career and hopefully that won't be the case in your situation. I have a BIL that is nearing retirement in the system where I attented and he has a number of former students that have gone on to start their own successful businesses so it can be done.I hear the frustration in your 'voice' and I urge you to persue the local tech center path and give it all you've got. Let all the boneheads and loosers reap the benefits of their own efforts - or lack thereof - and you'll be able to look back in the years to come with a feeling of accomplishment they'll never know.As I stated, I've been out of HS for over 35 years and I commend you on the courage and determination that still comes thru in your words in spite of what you're currently experiencing. I would NOT want to have to do it all over again today and I applaud you for taking the stand you have. Two years sounds like a life time at 16 as it's 1/8 of your entire life thus far but trust me, someday two years will seem like days and you'll look back at this day and chuckle.You sound like you have a level head on your shoulders and focus is what will get you to where you want to be. It won't be easy or happen overnight but papabear, thecheese429 and Big65mopar have given some good advise and I believe you have the guts, skin and determination to make it happen.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I don't know at what age you can get a driver's license there, but you might look into getting a car because you could drive to places with more jobs. Here in TX, a good car can be had for $500-$1000. Look in pawn shops for a small generator welder, then you can go places.BTW, don't listen to the news about the economy. They are full of BS. Texas is booming. Not to mention that we have 2 month winters. Warm (*cough* burning *cough cough*) summers, and plenty of DIY mindset people. Although, I must say, I think there are two kinds of people in Texas: those with the independent isolationist mindset, and the yankees, who can't like farther than 1 mile from a wal-mart.Last edited by thecheese429; 04-18-2010 at 12:52 PM. Originally Posted by SundownIIISometimes it's better to remain silent and be thought the fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Reply:Look at UA.org and see what possibilities are out there for you. We need qualified welders in the pipe trades and they pay very well. Its not great all over the country but if you are looking to move west, the wages are best in California and Eastern Washington. Washington obviously has a better cost of living.Get to it and stick with it. I had no interests beyond music and skateboarding at 16.UA Local 598
Reply:Well you sir are in less of a tough spot than you think. It sounds like you are motivated and forming a life plan at an age earlier than most. That will be the difference maker for you. Trust me I know how depressing Michigan can be. I was born, raised and lived in Grand Rapids until I was 25. Best bet is to suck it up and work as hard as you can until you are 18. We have facilities in DFW area in Texas and things seem to be picking up down there. Maybe in a couple years that might be an area you want to be in. Who knows at this point. Learn as much as you can and make as many friends in the industry as you can. Good luck.
Reply:Hi Lanse, ya' struck a nerve huh? These fellas have all given you good advice, hopefully something you can use as you plan and work toward your goals. If you can find a mentor, a teacher, a couselor, a local business guy to bounce your ideas off and get some good feedback that would be good. The forum will also listen as you can see. I see a young man who is beginning to figure out his own life, and make something good from it. Regardless of the family situation, or work or even school, each day do something toward where you want to be. Texas is very nice, you'd like it, Az and New Mexico are real keen too. Keep in touch, we would like to hear from you, classes you decided to take, jobs you found (built a deck on your own kool! enjoy, BretPapaLionLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Thanks guys!! Yall are the best :-)Thats inspiring... Very inspiring... I really needed to hear that :-)Ive been looking around online some, and theres so many jobs out there... And a ton of foreclosures, and that will probably be the same in two years... Atleast i hope.. For my own good...I wonder what a down payment would be on a $20-$40,000 house?? Im really motivated to get through this program and give it 120%... Alot of the kids in my high school wont go very far in life... Theres so many that sleep through class, dont do any of the work, and just dont care. Spring break here was the week before last. I went down to my moms farm in southern Ohio, and worked on fixing up an old truck, did some painting, welded up a battery box for one of the tractors im restoring, tried to get another tractor running after i rebuilt the engine in it last year, and had a blast. When i got back, i found out that Alot of the school just got really, really, really freakin drunk. Ive heard so many stories about who woke up with who, what happened at whos party, how much so and so puked, etc. There was even one guy that was so wasted he fell off his roof. Hes on crutches and his whole legs in a cast. Its a really inspiring place to go to school. Im not a nerd, i hate school, i hate being in a classroom all day, but i make the most of it. I dont start trouble and do my work and take it a day at a time. I learned that if you blow it all off, or youre not even consious, you just get to do it all over next year, and then its twice as bad... I had a .03% in math least year. Not 30%, 3%. I just diddnt care... Last summer i woke and decided i wanted to go somewhere and so something with my life, and although i have freshman math again, i have a 91% B... So its all good :-)Ive never known what i want to do with my life, and i still dont, but i really think i want to weld... I thought about becoming a machinist and decided against it. I dont care if id make a little more money, and come home a little cleaner at the end of the day, i just dont want to spend my life babysitting a machine and wondering when my job will go to china...Theres 790 days from today until i graduate. Assuming the keep making the last day of school June 17 here. Id like to be gone 800 days from now, and punching a clock in houston, or phoenix, or california or austin or new mexico in 820 days.Id really like to graduate, tie up whatever loose ends, take a few days to catch my breath, and pack a suitcase or two and take off. If i hopped in my truck right now, i could be in phoenix in a mere 33 hours. Sweet!! That would be nice... But im not too hopeful...I dont know if i could pull that off tho... If i did manage to find a job here, i might be able to save up a month or two of rent, and stuff some under a matress for food, gas, etc. Im an amature movie maker right now... Mechanical stuff mostally... Google runs ads on my videos and i do make some money off that, and that amount keeps going up... The hard part would be finding a job tho... Everyone wants expierence... The one thing i dont have... So i might be stuck here a little more then 800 days... You guys have been great... Thank you :-)I plan on hanging around here now... So i guess i should introduce myself. I posted once here a while back.. But now im really exploring the site and i really like it :-)
Reply:Ive never known what i want to do with my life, and i still dont, but i really think i want to weld... I thought about becoming a machinist and decided against it. I dont care if id make a little more money, and come home a little cleaner at the end of the day, i just dont want to spend my life babysitting a machine and wondering when my job will go to china..
Reply:Lanse, I could tell you a lot of stories, but the only one worth telling is to tell you the place you are in right now will probably be the place you talk about being from in a few years, and strange as it may seem, a place to look fondly back on in a few decades.You also seem to have figured out the primarp purpose of Union School Teachers isn't to teach kids. That gives yo a leg up on the other kids sitting in the room. It's been that way for a long time, so don't think of yourself as the first to encounter it. You know the difference between being "taught" and learning, and now that you took a step down the learning road you and only you can continue to follow it. Keep making the "teachers" teach you, the taxpayers are definitely paying for them to.Those dreams beyond school, 800 days from now, you need to settle down a little and learn to map the route out. A fellow you never really heard of Newt Gingrich wrote a couple really good books on exactly your situation, probably one of the best writings on the subject of kids and entry level jobs, and where attitude can take a young man. You can look at the job swinging a mop on the night cleaning crew at Micky Ds as a crap dead end job or as the first step on the ladder of life. How you look at it pretty much determines where you go in the world.Another thing, don't ever fall in love with distant geography looking at a tourist brochure. Remember, everybody is a salesman and you're a potential customer. You want to be the hardest sale they ever made, be it for trade school or beautiful downtown Phoenix. When you moved around enough you'll know all places are the same, only the names of the streets are different. Make sure you know what you're stepping into before you move your foot off ground you know.Don't get too hung up on the experience thing either. I guarantee you a man with a year of experience swinging a mop at Micky Ds who can carry on a conversation and pass a piss test has a lot better chance of getting hired than some jerkof with a nose ring, 3 tats and a record of 5 jobs in the last year he got canned off for not showing up.Work toward making yourself what you want to be. You'll get there.
Reply:lance: I also live in the town with the blue water bridges. I'am a retired boilermaker welder/instructor. In our area and the det. area. the boilermakers sponcer high school welding compititions every year. e-mail me and maybe we can get together. [email protected]
Reply:Hi, It seems to me that since all that industry moved out years ago then you might have a captive market there. If you get yourself some safety gear, some basic tools, such as a 5" grinder, a good small to medium sized used stick/mig welder and a few other used tools ect, to get you started then you might get a lot more work than you think. I have yet to come across an area that people live in and not have anything to repair or fix. Think about it, if all the industry moved out who is doing all the maintenance work? people still live there and gates ect, need fixing or built, all the bits` and pieces that life throws up that need to be done, things break down. Chances are that they all have to take it to the next town to get it done; it usually is much easier to take it to the local bloke. Nobody wants to drive for an hour when they can take it to someone 5 minutes away. Just make sure that you do a good repair or weld job and not to charge too much and I am sure once the word gets out then the jobs will follow. Diversify, a lot of older folk need someone to just climb up a ladder and fix a roof by tightening up some screws or change a light bulb, easy for most of us but not for the frail and elderly. Give them a special low rate, they also have friends!! and you need to be known, and there is nothing better than one person recommending you to their friends! Print some business cards up on a computer and give them out to anyone and everyone.I should stress the part about good work though, nothing kills an upcoming business faster than a bad rep for shoddy/overpriced work, especially in a small place. A good reputation takes time and is harder to achieve but a bad reputation travels like a forest fire. You will be crispy before you know it.Go for cheap or low cost advertising, ie; a small notice on a supermarket public notice board, print out a couple of hundred small adverts to do a letter drop in the local area, should be really cheap on a home computer, deliver them by push bike if necessary, and do it again every 2-3 weeks. If you do get some extra cash get some fridge magnets done with your details, people generally throw out paper advertising but tend to keep fridge magnets if they are even remotely interested or think they may need that service at a later date. Look for any homes that could do with some work and target them specifically, ie; any have overgrown grass, offer to do a maintenance, how much does a used but running lawnmower go for there? and while youre there look around for any other jobs that they may need, if you notice a fence that needs to be welded or fixed up then drop a free quote in the letter box. Get some stickers made up, " made or repaired by "your name" .... and your phone number and put them on nearly everything you repair or build. These small jobs may give you the extra cash to get more tools and will build up your reputation and or business in the process. Do a good job and you will get referrals too. I hope these ideas will be of use to you and good luck.Miller Auto Invision 456 + S-62 wire feederC6240B1 Gap bed lathe16 ft3 air compressor16 speed pedestal drillHafco BS-912 Bandsaw
Reply:Along the lines of the Airforce you should also consider the Navy for its structural and maritime welding fields and the Marines for their basic metal working and welding program and aircraft welding program and then there's the Army Corps of Engineers the guys who do it all including build bridges and make the Army look good.When you get a chance do some research into Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach Virginia. This is a heavy manufacturing area centering around maritime welding fields and some heavy equipment such as Liebherr company that makes those giant mining dump trucks. Also look into Hawaii as well as there are shipyards out there and the pay is higher there though the cost of living is also a pain but worth it to live in paradise. If you can stomach the cold there's also Anchorage Alaska and surrounding area's or further south in the Seattle region. Then there's also overseas work to be had as well so when you turn 18 get your pass port and to get into ship yards easier you'll want to look into getting a TWIC card. Also it would help to get a CDL B or even an A and look into some added training into diesel engine repair and hydraulics and some computer repair and basic electricity. These will make you more rounded and more appealing to an employer specially for travel work to trouble shoot and repair or for building equipment such as mining equipment like those big mining trucks or excavators.Above all else do not let anyone get you down and no matter what don't let anyone tell you that you can't do this, welding may be hot dirty and dangerous work but it's satisfying to see what you can do that other people can't and how many people can say that they created a a pea sized sun with some electricity and two pieces of metal.
Reply:Lance: last week my son was one of the judges for the highschool welding competitions at the boilermakers hall in Det. I know the skillcenter is involved in it. e-mail me and I can get you some names and numbers to call. the people that go are interviewed and sighned up if they want for our apprerentiship. we teach,stick,tig,mag,mig and orbital for plate,boilertube,pipe and all positions needed for testing. also tortch set-ups and uses,drafting,job safety,job math,prints, when you finish the app. you have the equivelent of a enginnering degree. revpol |
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发表于 2021-9-1 00:33:03