Want to start a career in welding and looking for a mentor in the Austin, TX area.

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Hello!  I just recently retired from the Army after 12 years of service and I'm looking to start a new career.  Welding appealed to me for several reasons.  It seems like it involves a certain level of creativity and problem solving plus I enjoy working with my hands.I live in the Austin, TX area and am searching for a mentor.  I'm looking into my options as far as schooling and in the mean time I'd like to get a job assisting a welder.  A full time job would be great, but I'd even be willing to work a day or two a week for free in exchange for some experience and guidance.If you'd be able to help me out or know someone who can, let me know and I can shoot you my resume.Last question…if I bought some inexpensive equipment and utilized some books or YouTube videos, do you think I would be able to teach myself any or do you think it would be a waste of time?Thanks for any input!
Reply:Originally Posted by tjmack321Hello!  I just recently retired from the Army after 12 years of service and I'm looking to start a new career.  Welding appealed to me for several reasons.  It seems like it involves a certain level of creativity and problem solving plus I enjoy working with my hands.I live in the Austin, TX area and am searching for a mentor.  I'm looking into my options as far as schooling and in the mean time I'd like to get a job assisting a welder.  A full time job would be great, but I'd even be willing to work a day or two a week for free in exchange for some experience and guidance.If you'd be able to help me out or know someone who can, let me know and I can shoot you my resume.Last question…if I bought some inexpensive equipment and utilized some books or YouTube videos, do you think I would be able to teach myself any or do you think it would be a waste of time?Thanks for any input!
Reply:Use your military benifits to pay for your schooling whether you want a 2 yr or 4 yr degree. Thank you for your Service.Last edited by guajilloweld03; 01-08-2016 at 02:02 PM.
Reply:Run an ad in your local Craig’s list. There is a guy here in the Seattle area who does mobile welding. He has an ad on Craig’s list that he will come to your home and help you with your welding. I have no idea what he charges. But some one like this giving you one on one instruction, can really jump start your welding career!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Great timing on this question. The ACC Riverside campus is holding this event tomorrow..  http://sites.austincc.edu/events/des...-acc-saturday/ .  The Riverside campus is the location for the welding program. You need to go in there and talk to them tomorrow. I have taken some classes in the Welding department at ACC and recommend them to everyone. It was twenty years ago when I took the classes, but the equipment was good and the instructors were top notch. They all had real world welding experience and had a passion for teaching welding. I have a small shop out  east of Austin. PM me if you want, maybe you could come out and do some practicing. I just repair farm equipment build simple stuff part time, nothing professional.Millermatic 185, Lincoln AC/DC 225, Victor torch set, Hypertherm Powermax30 XP, Chicago Electric 90 amp flux core welder, Milwaukee Chopsaw, Wilton Drillpress, lots of hand tools and a nice small shop with a 4' X 8' welding table.
Reply:Thank you all for the information and opinions!  I will indeed be using the GI Bill and VA vocational rehabilitation program to pay for school.  School is going to be a few months off though as I will be moving soon.  I am already currently employed full time in the security industry though I want to change careers to welding. In the mean time I was just looking for someone to tag along with and learn a thing or two so Mr. Sunshine I will send you a PM.