To school or not to school...

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That is the question. Once again i need some advice from some of you well seasoned welding experts out there. Im about to be 23 years old. Working 60+ hours a week (two jobs), and also attending a local community college taking welding classes. Im so busy with my jobs (im married and have a lot of bills and shes still in school with one year left) that i can only take 1-2 classes at a time. Im just finishing up blueprint and TIG classes and at this rate it'll be 2 years before im done. I already have 70+ credit hours from a university so all i need are my welding classes but its going slow I really want to weld and go to school at the same time and not work these crummy jobs at warehouses. My question is would it be a good idea to apply for the local pipefitter union? I asked my teacher what was the point in these classes if the union will just put me through there 5year program reguardless and he said at best they may make the apprenticeship a little less like a year or two but at this rate i may as well start at the beginning five years. Is this "combination welding associates degree" worth it or should I try the union?Ive heard its hard to get in but i know they are looking, a buddy of mine just got offered a weld test. Thanks in advance for any input and for reading my rant.Jeff
Reply:If the union can get you out of the sixty hour weeks with a paycheck you  can live with I would go that route.  The extra time available gives you a lot more flexibility.  You could continue school as well as the apprentice program.  I wouldn't give up on school there is no telling what the future holds.  The education is highly likely to be valuable down the road.
Reply:I hear ya, i know school is important but it seems like i can get the same if not better certificates through the union than school. The only certs my school offers is tack welding and stick. Then if you do the two year program you get an associates degree in "combination welding" donno if employers really care about that piece of paper or not.
Reply:Any iron worker or pipe fitter union guys on here??
Reply:Have you talked to the Union?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Stick with school. It's only a year then your wife will be done, and willhopefully get a better paying job. And that could offset the need for two jobs. I know it's hard for you right now, and seems like a really long time, but it goes fast. I currently get up at 4 am, work untill 11:30 start school at 12:30 get home at 5:45, then do homework with my kids, cook dinner, get them bathed and in bed by 9, start me homework get it done, and go to bed by midnight. I do that 6 days a week. I'm 31 and can handle it, my wife works 2nd shift, do I have to do everything myself for the kids, it's exhausting. You will be glad you stayed at school in about 5 years when this is all behind you. If you don't it will end up as one of lifes big regrets.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:NoBigDealFab i think u just scared me into staying in school haha. I couldnt do what you just described was your daily life right now. I did go talk to the union and they were going to set me up with a weld test in a week. Didnt say much else which was a bummer because i really wanted to know about there stance with school and certifications, Im supposed to get a call soon from the head of the apprentice program so we'll see what they have to say.
Reply:http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...Welding!/page2Go to post #13and I think #15 has JT's e-mailEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:thanks broccoli that pretty much answered all my questions. I just hope they arent super critical on this weld test.. I mean it is for like 11-12 dollars an hour starting at the bottom so fingers crossed. I have TIG and MIG experience and did stick a loooong time ago in high school vocational class but ive never taken a real weld test. Hopefully they are just trying to get an idea of how hard it will be to train us????
Reply:Originally Posted by UniquelyInkedHopefully they are just trying to get an idea of how hard it will be to train us????
Reply:Originally Posted by UniquelyInkedNoBigDealFab i think u just scared me into staying in school haha. I couldnt do what you just described was your daily life right now. I did go talk to the union and they were going to set me up with a weld test in a week. Didnt say much else which was a bummer because i really wanted to know about there stance with school and certifications, Im supposed to get a call soon from the head of the apprentice program so we'll see what they have to say.
Reply:Originally Posted by UniquelyInkedNoBigDealFab i think u just scared me into staying in school haha. I couldnt do what you just described was your daily life right now. I did go talk to the union and they were going to set me up with a weld test in a week. Didnt say much else which was a bummer because i really wanted to know about there stance with school and certifications, Im supposed to get a call soon from the head of the apprentice program so we'll see what they have to say.
Reply:Hey i really appreciate all the input you guys gave me it really helped out a lot and gave me a lot to think on. And NoBigDealFab, you didn't scare me too bad haha I just really cant imagine that busy of a schedule (i thought mine was already) but your happy and that's all that counts! Best of luck opening your own shop, that's my dream for the future!! Long path ahead before that tho
Reply:You'd have to talk to someone in the local's apprenticeship program about what it's like.  If you have a busy local in your area, and they can put you to work you would be taking classes and working at the same time, the best way to learn the trade.  If it's a suitcase local you'll probably just be taking classes as an apprentice, and not getting paid unless an odd job comes about.  Sometimes they will buy off time for time spent in other classes welding, or if you're an experienced pipe fitter.  They usually give a weld test and a written fitters test, if you pass, based on your grade they will take time off your apprenticeship, or make you a journeyman but with a lesser percentage of a journeyman's wage.  It all depends on the local and what skills you posses.So go talk to them, it's a damn good option if you're looking to weld, and it won't hurt to ask them questions.
Reply:are you going to school for a career (not in construction)? or do you want to be a fitter/ or in construction? I just started my apprenticeship last year a tin knocker. previous to that I took a few math courses and about 8 semesters of welding, while doing so I kept asking myself if I should keep going to welding class? or if I should just wait till I got into an apprenticeship? I applied to the UA's in my area and to smwia local, sheet metal called me first. when I interveiwed with smw all of my welding and math helped me get to the top of the list to get called. I also learned alot that I'm certain I might not learn in the program I'm in now.....time will tell. Back to the question of getting into construction, I love what I do so far, it's worth waking up at 3 am driving 40 miles, getting to work an hour early (in case there is any accidents so I'm not late). with that said I'd say those are the reason a lot of guys don't make it. the pay is good, and as long as your a hard worker you have a good chance to make more than most who do have a college degree (blue collar jobs). I laugh at people who cry about unions and how lazy people are protected, from what I've seen if you don't produce you'll get a check that day. if you don't mind busting your ***, being reliable (working when your sick), driving a little further, having thick skin, I'd say get into an apprenticship. don't be shy, call whatever school/union daily or weekly and bug them, make sure they know your name, and be persistant, it might seem like your pissing them off but they like that, it shows your eager to work and thats what they want. good luck!"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:another thing....I'm still thinking about trying to get some credit for my previous experience, I am hesitant though....I see guys that do this and it puts a target on their back, seems like when people hear of this they want to see what you know or what you can do, it kinda puts a bad taste in others mouths, again from what I've seen. I think its stupid, if you have experience and you can provide or produce more than the guy who is the same year as you why not get paid more? on the other hand it's like you have to just go through what everyone else has gone through. I don't know? I guess it's up for debate, I'm just figuring to stay where I'm at and shine a little, it's tuff and it is political (****ty thing about union) but so far what the union does far out weighs the cons IMO. I know on the job sites there is usually a noticable difference between union and non union, I feel better being union"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford