Schooling in CA

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Hey everybody, my name is Tanner and im only 19, but i've been welding for the past 3 years. Im currently going to a local junior college here in Tracy, Delta college, and im looking to transfer to a school that offers an A/S Degree in Welding Technology.Im currently looking at American River College & College of the Canyons.I was just wondering if you guys had any input on which school is either better, or might let me learn more. Im really interested in TIG and MIG, and just want to learn everything i can. I have a 110v lincoln mig welder that i've been using to make exhausts, brackets, and just other misc. stuff... Im currently using a Miller Dynasty 350 at my school and im loving it, right now im trying to do 1/8'' aluminum in the vertical up position. just to give you an idea of where my skill level might be..so any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Reply:I personally know one of the instructors at Delta, in Stockton, formerly a General Mills Sheet Metal man, 20+ years of experience.  He was a part-time instructor, for years, until going full time starting this semester.   Not gonna put his name on the open forum, but if you pm me, with your name, number, and email, I will email him, and hopefully get back to you.   I don't know if Delta can help you or not, but if nothing else, this guy will be honest with you.  Not a "teacher", but a tradesman himself, one of the big advantages of working with a JC, they often hire tradesmen to teach.   Sacramento Community College district has long been known for good programs in the trades; both ARC and Consumes River College come to mind.   I have personal experience;  ummm ,,,,,  let's just say before you were born   Drafting, and a brush-up in Trig.  No welding.   ARC.  I know nothing about College of the Canyons, no comment either way.
Reply:I know Alex, i just took his basic welding class this summer, spent 3days a week for 6 hours with him, he knows who i am. hahahes a great guy, hes taught me so much in such a short time im amazed. Hes very patient and has never given me bad advice on either my technique, or anything that i've done in that class.  I would stick with delta, but i have 53 units, and all i can get from delta is a certificate... and after i get my A/S i want to get my B/S... Im really leaning towards ARC cause rent is cheap, and i have some family up there, not to mention Alex even suggested that i attend ARC if im looking for a A/S Degree.
Reply:Yeah, Alex is the guy I was thinking of.   If he suggested ARC, I'd think his advice was good.  And why, anybody, would want to spend time, down in Valencia, is beyond me.   We got just as pretty girls, up here in N. Cal.   Seriously, Sacramento is not a bad place to get some education, and there's plenty of real-world places, to get more education, on the job, both north and south of Sacramento.  As I mentioned before, the instructors often come from industry, and oftentimes have connections, if one wants to find a job, either during school or after school.
Reply:And Rennat?  Don't ever discount anything you learn from a sheet-metal man.   They DO, oftentimes, know all the ins and outs about welding; more importantly, they know LAYOUT, which is usually more important that welding skills.   The ability to look at a shape, or structure, and fold it out onto a flat piece of paper, or flat piece of steel, is priceless.   Or conversly, looking at a flat piece of paper, and visioning how the whole thing comes together, likewise.   I learned far more, over the years, from sheet metal guys, than I ever did from "real welders", even though most of my business is from "real welding".Plenty of guys know how to weld, relatively few can layout jobs.   In the years to come, I suspect layout skills, will be more valuable than welding skills.   Myself, I often sub for others, just mark off steel, they cut, I tack, they weld.   Stupid money, basically easy work.Last edited by mark8310; 08-15-2009 at 07:28 PM.
Reply:If i could take Alex's layout class i woud, but i dont have the time... I only have time to take 12 units, and the rest i need to work so i can save money to move to ARC or somewhere else...And whenever somebody has good, sound advice i always listen 100%.Especially when people like Alex tell stories of how to straighten things, or how to make a certain weld on a piece... i ALWAYS listen 100%. We start class monday, so im going to pick his brain some more once we start.
Reply:Nobody else has anything to say about schools?.....
Reply:If you are looking to start out of junior college as a welding technician, and possibly go on to welding engineering, The College of San Mateo has an excellent AS program.
Reply:I would check the graduate placement office at both schools to see who recruits there and how many jobs they each have posted.
Reply:Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. I'm in the Sacramento area, and I'm looking to get some welding classes under my belt.
Reply:Rennat, tell Alex that Joe (from Acampo) says hi
Reply:Will do, it was our first day and i was dumb founded when he told me that i didnt have to listen for 16 weeks of what i just learned... i got to weld my first day! and i can still do vertical up on aluminum just like i did a couple weeks ago...so Joe, do you work for acampo? and if so, what does your job do with welding?
Reply:I LIVE in Acampo, I make my living with a portable rig.