Welding as a second career???

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I'm considering making a career change and my father suggested welding, but I wanted to get a better picture of the job.  I have spent the last 13 years in the Air Force with the last 8 of that being behind a desk shuffling papers and I hate that type of work.  I have a Bachelors degree in Business which will unfortunately guarantee I stay behind a desk.  I've always been a hands-on type of person and wished I would have studied a trade skill in the military instead of computer maintenance/administrative work.  I tinkered around in my dad's shop when I was younger, but honestly haven't done any mechanical type work in several years.  Also, I'm 35 and I'm a single mom so probably not your typical welding recruit.  I'm trying to get a feel for what the job is really like - work hours, pay & benefits in the Midwest, etc.  And trust me I know the job is physically demanding, dirty work so I don't want to hear the "girl" comments....
Reply:Being a single parent at 35 YOA wanting to commence a radically different career is going to be especially challenging, and demanding.You are going to have to keep yourself convinced that you can learn a new trade, and then actually do the deed.At 35 you should have a pretty good feel for what you are capable of, and also you ought to know your limitations too.If, after much retrospective, you are determined to go for it, keep in mind that this will be an intense learning curve.I suggest you read everything you can about welding that you can find. This will not be a casual process, it will require outright devotion to your aspirations.And insofar as girly comments go.......you need to forget your gender too and purport yourself as a "student" instead of a "female student", otherwise you may find yourself looking for signs of bias as you proceed instead of concentrating on the learning and development of skill.I guess you have heard of "Rosie the Riveter"?
Reply:Welding actually covers a massive spectrum. You could go in a direction where you worked in a lab with a microscope TIG welding parts no bigger than a dime. You could work in an oil field where you rarely if ever use anything other than an arc welder and work with massive pipe all day long. Personally I work somewhere in the middle and most general jobs you find will be. You will always find different shops that specialize in different things. One may specialize in heavy structural with a focus on homes and businesses. Another might focus on hot rods, motor cycles and other custom fabrication. Both working experiences will be a good bit different.  I would say the first thing you need to do is get some practice welding. Take a beginners course at the community college  or find a friend or someone you know who can show you the basics and let you spend some time welding. It would be best if you got to play with a few different styles. Personally I love TIG and have chosen to make that my specialty. I like MIG too. Arc is cool but I prefer to work with smaller more detailed work where it is not the ideal method. I have less experience with gas than I would like but if TIG wasn't available I have a feeling It would be much higher on my list of favorites. They are all different and all have their things that they do best. In the end you will want to be familiar with all of them even if you end up in a job where you focus on one. The most important thing though is that you like doing it. I am much less fond of the heavier dirtier work that goes along with heavier structural welding. I enjoy it here and there but could not do it as my 40-80 hr/week job. Whatever you do, don't commit to any job or industry because you don't know what else to do. Find something you are passionate about and pursue that professionally. You will find yourself able to do your job much better and enjoy it much longer.Lincoln precision TIG 275Millermatic 140 MIG
Reply:I understand there would be a learning curve and a lot of dedication involved.  That's something I'm willing to take on if it's worth it in the long run.  The gender is not an issue for me.  I fought that battle during all my time in the military, even from day 1.  I joined the Air Force to be a firefighter and was told no.  My highest scores were mechanical so I assumed (like an idiot) that they would put me in a career in that field and instead I got stuck in computer maintenance because of the "needs of the Air Force" at the time.  I may be girly, but looks can be deceiving.  I'm about as tomboy as they come...hunt, fish, curse like a sailor (which usually gets me in trouble at work).  Grew up working on a farm so I have no problem with hard work.  I made that comment because I have caught **** from the guys at work now about this.  Granted most of them are college grads that don't consider trade skills to be a worthwhile career.  I'm really just trying to get a true picture of the job since it's not something I work around now.  And yes, I'm aware of Rosie the Riveter
Reply:Like many jobs pay is based on skill, opportunity and experience. Don't expect to walk out of the tech school and make big money. Most of the students finding jobs right out of the program we run are lucky to be making $11/hr mostly doing repetitive production welding. The top students  may find jobs in the $15/hr range just starting out unless they have an "in" with someone some where. Union work pays better and has better bennies, but almost none of the unions in my area are taking anyone new in. They just don't have the work for those they already have, and those few who do get in usually have a family connection to the union that gets them in the program.Biggest obstacle in this economy isn't a lack of skill, it's a lack of experience. Why hire someone right out of school, when there are tons of people who are unemployed with a lot more experience willing to work for less money than they would regularly, just to have a job. It's an employers market I'm afraid. As far as the "girl" comments, better get used to it. It's just a fact, many guys will want you to prove you can cut it, and you will probably have to keep on proving it. Sucks, but that's unfortunately the way it is in many places. How you handle it will affect how much BS you have to deal with. Act like you have a chip on your shoulder, and you'll get a ton of flack. Show you can do the job without an attitude, but won't take any BS and most will back you up once they see you can hold your end of things. I know quite a few young ladies that work in metal, both welding and fab work. Pretty much all of them fit this bill..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by bow_girlI'm considering making a career change and my father suggested welding, but I wanted to get a better picture of the job.  I have spent the last 13 years in the Air Force with the last 8 of that being behind a desk shuffling papers and I hate that type of work.  I have a Bachelors degree in Business which will unfortunately guarantee I stay behind a desk.  I've always been a hands-on type of person and wished I would have studied a trade skill in the military instead of computer maintenance/administrative work.  I tinkered around in my dad's shop when I was younger, but honestly haven't done any mechanical type work in several years.  Also, I'm 35 and I'm a single mom so probably not your typical welding recruit.  I'm trying to get a feel for what the job is really like - work hours, pay & benefits in the Midwest, etc.  And trust me I know the job is physically demanding, dirty work so I don't want to hear the "girl" comments....
Reply:Do you have small fingers? If so, aerospace type welding may be up your alley. One of my lady weldors was a single mom of a 9 year old. She is now a married mom of a 9 year old. She is a kick butt tig weldor as well as mistress of the arc.Oh, and she is in her late 30's. I have been working with her for only 2 years. She did school right before while working at a burger shack. Last edited by shovelon; 07-29-2013 at 12:45 PM.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:I would say shovelon provided confirmation/proof of the possibilities for you.
Reply:Thanks for the insight guys.  I'm definitely not a chip on the shoulder kinda girl.  I have worked with mainly men my entire military career and prefer it that way.  Yes I have small fingers and I'm a petite girl, but I'm fairly strong.  I had been looking at the structural side just due to the amount of commercial construction that seems to always be happening in the Omaha area.  I will definitely look into a class or two before I make any decisions.  This is something I've been considering for about a year now so it won't be taken lightly.
Reply:I sound like a salesman advocating  for the refinery industry... 2nd thread im mentioning it... But weldors at my work are at 29.70 per hour at 3 years in final rate... Guys easily breaking 6 figures... Its lovely, and when it comes to welding, you either have it or you dont.. And most weldors are proud to call themselves one and actually enjoy doing it to a certain extent at the least... I say "welding as a primary career".. Just my opinion, good luckSal
Reply:Originally Posted by WPSalvationI sound like a salesman advocating  for the refinery industry... 2nd thread im mentioning it... But weldors at my work are at 29.70 per hour at 3 years in final rate... Guys easily breaking 6 figures... Its lovely, and when it comes to welding, you either have it or you dont.. And most weldors are proud to call themselves one and actually enjoy doing it to a certain extent at the least... I say "welding as a primary career".. Just my opinion, good luck
Reply:Computer skills are in demand for programming robotic welding & cutting processes, as well as machine tools. Leverage your background while branching into a new field.
Reply:alittle info on a career in welding [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfQ49n2Ar-8[/ame]
Reply:Go for it, you only live once, why do it disappointed in your choices! You've been in the military so you already know guys can be jerks and i'm sure you can handle that by now. I tell people all the time that women in general make for better welders, they have a gentler knack for things of that nature. Best of luck and just do it! You'll be a lot happier for it, a little sweaty and burnt up, but still happier! I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Like other guys have said, do somethin that your passionate about, the first time I ever welded somethin in my garage, I knew I wanted to have a career in welding/fabricating.  I read all the books I could get my hands on, and it really helps to know all the technical aspects of welding, what's really goin on in the metal while ur weldin. I run my own business, thank God for the work, and I love it. I worked for a fab shop for a while and never really liked being an employee. There's tons of different directions u can go, pipe welding, aerospace, structural, ornamental, and on and in it goes. As far as pay goes, I was making $16.50/hr in the fab shop, not bad by any means, but I triple or quadruple that workin for myself.  Its whatever ur comfortable withI did drywall for 5yrs after and then I caught the welding bug, up and changed my career, and here I am...I recommend books, maybe school if u can afford it. Learn all u can and then decide, I wish you luck. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by yoshimitsuspeedYou could go in a direction where you worked in a lab with a microscope TIG welding parts no bigger than a dime.
Reply:Originally Posted by bow_girlI'm considering making a career change ...... the last 8 of that being behind a desk shuffling papers and I hate that type of work.  I have a Bachelors degree in Business
Reply:@ bow_girl ~ Attached Images"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:I agree with "shovelon" Tig welding in Aerospace is about the best avenue for a woman to pursue! They have a good eye for detail and have that light touch needed for the small welds that are required in Aerospace. Also all the Aerospace shops are Air Conditioned! Down here in Florida thats worth about $2-3 an hour in itself. So encorage women who want to weld to look at that field. Good Luck!!
Reply:What DSW, 7A749, and the others have said!
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWelcome WPS.What are your duties exactly?Being claustrophobic and ok with heights, I could see myself welding on bridges.
Reply:Originally Posted by WPSalvationI sound like a salesman advocating  for the refinery industry... 2nd thread im mentioning it... But weldors at my work are at 29.70 per hour at 3 years in final rate... Guys easily breaking 6 figures... Its lovely, and when it comes to welding, you either have it or you dont.. And most weldors are proud to call themselves one and actually enjoy doing it to a certain extent at the least... I say "welding as a primary career".. Just my opinion, good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by WPSalvationCorrection... 39.70 per hour at 3 years... Starting at 28.00 hour... Start and final rate increase anually as per union contract.   Phillips66 bayway refinery in linden nj.. I relocated from a shipyard in philadelphia.. Both very good companies,
Reply:The two best employees I have ever had are Ladies, I still have one on board and not only is she a ROCKSTAR welder, she is just an all around GREAT hand...........she can run any piece of equipment I have, including the cranes.....and run them very very well, never complains and can work nearly any man into the ground!.............everybody wants my Lizzy!!Back when I was teaching welding full time, my very best students were ladies.........It seems to me that women just pay more attention to detail and always want to do the best that they can.I commend you for wanting to enter into this field of work, I just wish more women would.SOOOOO, my advice would be just do it!!  Take a few classes, practice ALOT, especially out of position, and before you know it, you will be at the top of the game.6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:Originally Posted by KevinL90Damn brother what welding is Pipes? I just applied for apprenticeship in Virgina. Huningston galls.Originally Posted by WPSalvationYa man, mostly pipe welding.. Some structural... You actually get hired into "mechanical metals" and that has sub designations like 'weldor, boilermaker, pipe fitter, rigger operator"... Depending on xp they pit you where ever... But being the oil refinery industry, management just throws money at the union to keep the money rolling in seemingly, with a profit margin like oil, i guess they arent concerned with tge collective bargaining barter... Sweet gig though, just very stringent with weld quality, constant xrays and inspection... Love this company though
Reply:Originally Posted by KevinL90well lets hope that money or oil dont dry  up