Need help/advice

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Hello all, new to forum and to welding. My question is somewhat complicated but I welcome any input nonetheless. I recentlydecided to use my gi bill and enrolled in a welding technology course at a local community college. My question is this:1. Should I pursue the six month welding certification or the two year AAS degree in welding technology?2. Is a degree in welding really gonna make a difference in the career field?pay3. Is there going to be a noticeable difference in  entry level pay with a degree versus a certification?The reason for my questions is this, I was recently medically retired from the military, and as a result I will be entering the career field at 33 years of age with a wife and two kids, so I dont heve the benefit of completing a lengthy apprenticeship at rock bottom pay. Any advice is appreciated.
Reply:Originally Posted by MehI dont heve the benefit of completing a lengthy apprenticeship at rock bottom pay.
Reply:First, Thanks for ServingHere in the Corpus Christi,Tx  Area you have several options1, Delmar college you get a two year degree. You can go full time or at night.2.Contractors Safety Council. Day or night classesA freind got a two year welding tech Degree and is working at a factory running/setting up welding robots.There are many career choices with a two year degree1. Instrument tech2.Chemical plant operator3.Machinist
Reply:The US Army has several Repair Depots1. Corpus Christi Army Depot.   They reapiair helicoptors.2. Texarkana Army depot . I think they repair heavy equipmentThere hiring perference  is VeteransGood luck at 33 your still young.
Reply:I went to an accredited 12 month (1 yr) welding school. The one I attended tried to get students placed in a job towards the end of the year. I have  found though that even with my ''papers'' saying that I was a welder , that i still had to test and prove that i could before i was given a job. I can't say for sure that it got me in any doors but it definitely prepared me for the ''field''
Reply:The papers will help with the job but you should still expect to test for the company and still expect to make lower wages for a while.  The company I work for had a welder come in that was suppossed to be able to pass any test around, fresh out of school of course, he had all the papers to prove his capabilities, but when it came down to testing in our shop he left without finishing his first test because he couldn't get the machine working right and ended up botching the root which ruined the whole test.Papers are only as good as your ability to back them up.  Welding could be a good career spot for you, especially if you found a place that paid well, had plenty of hours, and offered good benefits.  Hope this helps.Matthew MortonTexas A&M '06Logsdon Seminary '13"Who Dares Wins""AFTF""WH2PH"SA 200 (Code: 5337)TB 302CP 302 w/22A Wire FeederMillerMatic 200Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 252BurnTables 4x4 CNC MachineHypertherm 65