what to do now?

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so at this point I have been going to a local junior college for welding for 2 years, although this is my first sem. with 3 nights a week. I am close to getting ready to take my stick 3G test, Mig 3G test and starting on pipe, which each process being one day a week. I have been working retail since I was in high school and I want to get into the welding industry because I have found it is what I love to do and I think Im pretty good at it. Now that that is out of the way, what would be my next step? I have applied and passed an apprenticship test for a local plumbers and pipefitter union and pretty sure they signed me up at a fitter. But I would like some field experience before I start into the apprenticship. but every place I have looked at wants a miniumn 3-5 years experience, but how do you get any experience without being able to get hired, and this is my delima.
Reply:I would be willing to take any welding job I could get if I were in your position.  Then you will have welding experience.  Once you have your pipe certs, you can go for more advanced welding jobs.  You would be able to state years/months of welding experience and then test into the jobs.I got my first welding job at a heavy equipment shop that made earthmovers and offshore drilling rigs after taking only one semester of stick welding - one class.  They let me learn MIG and SAW welding on the job. At the end of the summer, I was doing fitting to print and welding custom fab stuff to print.Now I work as a Welding Engineer and have a BS, but the hands on experience was the best thing I ever did to launch my career.
Reply:Check with your colleges carrer center. They usually have a list of who is hiring and help students find work in their feilds of study. Obewan is correct, if you can find a job take it, even if it is a MIG monkey job at a production plant. Thats experience and you can always move up and out to a different type of job. I personally hate production work but I have done it in the past to have a job. Good luck
Reply:Around here you will have a hard time finding a full time welding job right of school and suspect it may be true where you live too. Take any job you can get in a welding shop and get some on job experience. Work hard, be a self starter, and show them you are interested and the oppertunities will open up.
Reply:Isn't the apprenticeship program designed to give job experience and training in the chosen field?   Maybe try to get into a welding apprentice program?   Is there an ironworker union in your area?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerAround here you will have a hard time finding a full time welding job right of school and suspect it may be true where you live too. Take any job you can get in a welding shop and get some on job experience. Work hard, be a self starter, and show them you are interested and the oppertunities will open up.
Reply:Excellent advise here.  Start where ever you can get your foot in the door.  Any job which will continue your training and have the possibility of adding to your certs. is a bonus.
Reply:"Around here" is southeast New Mexico and it is on the boom. Only thing is it's oilfield and no one is going to turn you loose without some experience. You can get dead real quick if you don't know what to watch for.
Reply:I've worked for the outfits where oldtimer is talking about and even with two years of welding school if they will talk to you at all the best you can do is a helpers job. All kinds of clowns out there wanting you to weld on stuff without the proper safety procedures. Had one once try to get me to weld on a heater treater (separates water and gas from live crude oil) without steaming it. I refused and told one of his hands "get me another welder this one isn't hungry enough". A union pipeliner I used to work with was in a bellhole making a tie in and someone opened a valve and dumped live crude oil in on him. He didn't survive. A guy I had worked with on and off for years hooked up to a tank to pull a load of natural gasoline (condensate from natural gas) and the best answer they have found as to cause was static electricity. He died a few days later. It's just very dangerous.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:my welding instructor is in with about every good weld shop or mechanical contractor around here if you need a job you call him and he can have you a good paying job by the end of the day and i think thats the way it should be. he tells you in the class if you come late or half *** work in class or dont stride to do your best he wont provide that benefit. another thing he told me is that you need to try to be the best welder you can be just passing the test is not enough. you can pass the bend or x ray test and the cap look ****ty these guys are usually the first to be layed off when things get rough and they are always looking for a job. if you make it slick and uniform and weld every thing like its for NASA you will not have trouble keeping a job. welding in that class is also nothing like doing it in the field when you get on pipe you tell your instructor you want it on the floor against the wall....lol seriously you need to practice being as good as possible and most of all make it look good. ive seen guys pass tests and make a weld were it was gone be highly visible and it look like ****. i wonder about whos gonna look at it and say what half *** drunk sob welded that. i want them to look at it and say damn thats slick or come and ask did you weld that. i know thats not the most importan thing but it feels alot better than walking away from it hoping your boss doesnt see it or one of your fellow welders dont see it an rag you. i try to be the one who gets to talk ****. i like to ask some of the guys i work with if Ray Charles made that weld for them. i know ive went on alot but just try to be the best not just ok and you will have a good careerComplete Fabrication Shop specializing in pipe fabrication. Also offering heavy steel fabrication and sheet metal work.
Reply:Originally Posted by scubaholicif you make it slick and uniform and weld every thing like its for NASA you will not have trouble keeping a job.