Should I Take A Firewatch Position?

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Hi everyone I'm the new girl here.  Here is my situation.  I'm going to a community college for welding.  This covers torch, stick, mig, pipe, and some fabrication.  So far I've been through SMAW. Recently an assistant teacher recommended me as a firewatch in a shop.  He said I'd be perfect for the job, and depending on what happens I could learn more welding as I move up in the company.  He'd like to see me get my foot in the door.  I'm also willing to pay my dues.  As in take the lowest job and work my way up in the welding field.It's been awhile since I've had a job so with him putting in a good word for me there's a good chance I'll get it. I'm not in dire straights for a job.  However it's been so long since I've had any job that it's a bit hard getting something compared to someone who doesn't have a resume gap. If I take this job I may not have time for school.  I don't know the hours yet.  Here are my questions...1. Would it benefit me more to complete my training at school, then go find a welding job?2. Can firewatch in a shop be a great starting point in a company for advancement?3.  Should I stay or should I go?
Reply:Well what kind of welding do you want to do? Stick,Tig,Mig,Fluxcore? Do you want to do pipe, fab work,shop work, etc, etc?The place that needs a firewatch, what type of welding do they do? Is it some place you would want to work at?  IS there room for advancment, if so, how long until they move you from firewatch to welder?  How long do you have left in school? What are the hours of school, and what are hours of the job?  After you answer some of these questions, only you can know if the job is right for you.
Reply:Can't hurt , if it is a good company at least you meet some of the main players, foreman, fabricators , engineers . Another words make some contacts and break in, before you know it you may be practicing with the welder at lunch than one of the formen might see some of your abilities, might get you hired on. Might be one of the guys doesn't show up on a day where something has to get done, then you move in. You can make it work if your smart, If you absolutely hate it you walk, what's to loose. Plus it's some income.   It may be a very boring job , but whatever you do don't just find somewhere to sit with your legs swinging in the breeze like you aren't into it, if your gonna do firewatch, be the best firewatch they have ever had, first impressions are everything."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:If it dosent completely interfere with your learning at school any job in a shop environment your bound to learn something you can take with you.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:One of the barriers to finding a job is not having any recent work experience.   This is an opportunity to fix that problem!  If you eventually want to go somewhere else, having this on your resume and getting a good recommendation will help you compared to having no work experience.Good luck.
Reply:Here are my questions...1. Would it benefit me more to complete my training at school, then go find a welding job?*** Stay in school and learn a skill.......!!!!2. Can firewatch in a shop be a great starting point in a company for advancement?*** Firewatch is a dull, boring job and you will get fired for any screw up (even if it was not your falut)...!!!3. Should I stay or should I go?  *** Sounds like the "instructor" is trying to get rid of you. Have a talk with him and get in his ****.... You want to be a welder....!!!!Food for thought --- The person generating the sparks / fire is bring home top dollar ... while the person "watching" the sparks / fire is bringing home minimum wage....Hang tough.HoboLast edited by hobohilton; 10-23-2012 at 09:24 AM.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Finishing school trumps Firewatch job....Your new employer should encourage you to finish your education and offer a flexable schedule.  That a win-win!!!Another thing to consider, what does this shop build or repair?   Is is a low-tech manufacturing process welding stupid junk?   Does it offer something interesting and challanging?
Reply:Stay in school. Its much easier to stay in school than it is to re-start your education later while working, laid-off or between jobs. Follow through is very important for employers. Prove your ability to do so by completing your education. Easy for me to say? I recently did just that by sticking with a 2 year, full time welding education while turning down job offers to "start immediately". You'll be happy you did.EricAWS D1.1 Certified SMAW 3G Unlimited, Open Root                             FCAW-G 3G Unlimited, w/BackerCellular Tower Reinforcement Welding on the frozen tundra of the greater Mid-West
Reply:If you're hard up for cash and need any job, take it.  But you'll probably make more asking, "would you like fries with that?".  Jobs I've worked, the laborers who were screwups, lazy, and couldn't follow simple instructions ended up standing firewatch.  Which is ironic, because firewatch is important when welders are working in confined spaces or around flammable materials.  I hated seeing firewatch talking on the phone, texting, goofing off, picking their nose, or sleeping in the corner.If you take the job, don't be that person.  Do the job, don't screw around, and don't slack off on the responsibilities.  It's a really, really, boring job, unless something catches fire.  Then lives can be on the line.BUT, if you don't need the money or you can find a better paying job that doesn't interfer with training, skip working firewatch.  If you're smart enough to ask about the job, you're likely overqualified.  Make school your first priority.Hobohilton makes an interesting point.  Find out if your instructor is trying to give you the brush off, or if he's trying to introduce you to a potential employer and get your foot in the door.  If you're keeping pace with the other students, don't let him brush you off.  Listen to your intuition and work hard.Good luck.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Thanks everyone for your advice.  You all brought up some good questions and things to think about.  I have the interview this Thursday so I'll get to ask more questions about the shop in question.  It's great coming here and getting different views.  Especially since you all have been out there, or know people who have.
Reply:The local shipyards alternate, you weld for a day, you watch for a day.  Fire watch is tediously boring so it's not something you want to have to do every day.
Reply:Stay in school. I had close to a thousand hours welding experience in school before getting my first welding job. The better you get it in school the better you'll be in the field.
Reply:Hi, I spent 5 years with low pay as an apprentice learning my trade, now I'm retired, but I spent 50 years as a fully qualified tradesman, and always got the money I was entitled to without having to take second best because of lack of skills or training.Do yourself a favour, learn to the best of your ability, and maximise your time....short term gains do not mean long term qualifications.Ian.
Reply:Hi again everyone.  I had my interview and I passed.  It turns out I'll be working in a shipyard.  I told the recruiter that I still want to attend school while I work. I found out I'll be put on either 1st or 2nd shift.  This means I can still go to school. The school has morning and night classes. My teachers said they're willing to work with me since I've had perfect attendance and they know I'm a good student.  I'm not going to have a life for a year or so.  That sometimes happens though when you need to get things done in life.  I'm still very excited.  I start my OSHA training next week.I've never been to a shipyard before, so it will be an adventure.  I'm not sure if I'm even going to like it.  We'll see what happens.  I really do appreciate all of the advice you all have given me.  Thank you.