Learning to Weld

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so i'm a nineteen year old female having a heck of a time trying to find a new job while i'm in school. i just recently moved to my current location & have been applying for jobs since the beginning of july. i have bills that need paid, and my saved up income is quickly running out. i would like to learn to weld so i can get a decent job while i'm finishing college. i'm not looking to do welding as a career, although i think it will be a very useful skill to have.  i was wondering if there is any way i can learn to weld without taking classes at college or at a trade school. i have to focus all of my classes right now on my major, & i don't have enough time nor money to enroll in a trade school. i wasn't sure if any jobs would have a 'train-on-the-job' type thing. that's ultimately what i'm looking for. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!
Reply:Sorry to say it, but manufacturing in this country is down big time.  There are a lot of very good welders unemployed right now.  Jumping in without experience, and hoping to make a good rate just isn't going to happen.  On the other side of your question though, welding is a very good skill to have.  You could get some books and start reading.  I would recommend the miller student pack for $25 available on millerwelds.com.  Thats a good place to start at least.  You could check the library too...  Best of luck to you.  It's going to be difficult for todays graduates to start making a living throughout the next few years...Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:It used to be you could start working in a manufacturing company doing something else and work your way into welding by practicing after work and getting help from the welders there, then when there's an opening, take the test and move into a beginning welding position.  That's how I got into aluminum production welding.  I already knew steel welding and practiced the aluminum after hours while doing other jobs in the shop, then when one of the welders moved away, I tested for the position and became a full time production welder.  Now days, there are plenty of qualified welders and not many manufacturing or construction welding position openings, so not much opportunity get a welding position as a beginner.  Not many independent welders looking for helpers willing to learn either.  I'm an independent now and there are plenty of qualified welders I know who are out of work that I have to pick from when I need a helper.  It doesn't make sense for me to pick someone who doesn't have skills or experience to add to the job when I need help, unless I just need someone for general unskilled help, in which case I pay less for their labor.Since you don't appear to know anyone there who can teach you, your best bet to learn is to take night classes through your college or local vo-tech program.  You said you don't want to do that, but that is the smartest way to get real instruction and not waste time and money buying equipment and experimenting on your own trying to teach yourself.  I was dad-taught and self-taught and on-the-job-taught for years, but still ended up taking formal certification classes before going out on my own running my own shop and mobile operation.  The formal class and lab instruction are well worth the small amount of money and time you will put into them, if you want to really learn how, along with the classroom/book knowlege of why things are done certain ways.  Knowing how is great, knowing how and why is better.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:One other thought, if I were you I would concentrate on TIG welding, especially aluminum and stainless and piping.   Girls usually do well with tig and tig is where the money is for shop work.  Manufacturing mig welding doesn't pay much and there is tons of competition.  Highly skilled tig welders can make alot more.  The work is usually cleaner and lighter too than mig or stick fabrication.You may want to send a message to member Welderwomn.   She may have some more ideas for you.Last edited by DesertRider33; 09-23-2009 at 11:57 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by megs708so i'm a nineteen year old female having a heck of a time trying to find a new job while i'm in school. i just recently moved to my current location & have been applying for jobs since the beginning of july. i have bills that need paid, and my saved up income is quickly running out. i would like to learn to weld so i can get a decent job while i'm finishing college. i'm not looking to do welding as a career, although i think it will be a very useful skill to have.  i was wondering if there is any way i can learn to weld without taking classes at college or at a trade school. i have to focus all of my classes right now on my major, & i don't have enough time nor money to enroll in a trade school. i wasn't sure if any jobs would have a 'train-on-the-job' type thing. that's ultimately what i'm looking for. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!