Need advice please.

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Hello, my name is Tim. Before i get to my question(s) I want to give a little history on my welding experience or therefor lack of. I took my first welding course (night school) back in 2009 while i was in 11th grade, it was mainly SMAW, and welding symbols to an extent. After a few months I received my first welding certification. After i graduated high school in 2010 a few weeks later i left for the Army to become a metal worker, after 5 months of training i became proficient in stick, tig, mig, oxyacetylene, plasma cutting, and even welding armour plating.  Now, since my training in 2010 i have not touched anything to do with welding (not even at my unit), which makes me sad because i had a deep passion for it and i feel like i lost a lot of my knowledge on it. I want to make welding my career and in order to do so i feel like i really need to practice again. I'm not sure what questions to ask, but i want to know what steps i should take to get into a welding job. I have recently purchased a Century inverter arc 120V stick welder, just so i can potentially get some practice in, what would be the best metal to practice welding on? Also, i know i'll have to eventually get AWS certified, any tips or ideas on how to go about it?  Sorry for the long post, i just feel very overwhelmed, thanks in advance-Tim.
Reply:Where are you located bud?I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Central Pennsylvania.
Reply:I would say to go to Hobarts Institute of Welding Technologhy in Troy Ohio bud and take there nine month coarse. When all said and done and if all goes well youll come out of there with six certs, and excellent job placement. Job placement depends on how far you are willing to travel to make some big bucks. Great school and they cram alot down your throat in a short time. I know a young friend who recently graduated from there and hes doing very well for himself. He could have made some really big bucks, but he wanted to come back to NY. Hes doing very well tho.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Estimated total cost of attendance:$19,618
Reply:Call them. You can get a job down there locally after school, and pay it off as you go just like a college but way cheaper. Very doable. I went down twice to see my little friend and the schools parking lot is loaded with all out of state plates and they all make it work bud. In the big picture of your future its only 9 months and your done and set.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Thanks for the info, i'm looking into their website right now, however it's not likely i'll be able to.
Reply:Any chance that your GI Bill benefit will pay for some or all of the school?I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I haven't been able to get a hold of any about my benefits for the past 8 months.
Reply:I your in central Pa,have you considered the gas companies? Halliburton, Shell and hundreds of sub contractors. They always have a need for equipment repair, pipeline, structural just to name a few. And with you fresh out of the army, you have valuable traits that they look for. It's worth a shot, Good luck!!!Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter