Becoming a Welder

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I am looking into starting a career as a welder and I'm in need of advice from those of you who have had the experience. I have no welding experience and after researching it seems that I can either go to an expensive accelerated Welding Trade School or go to a cheaper but longer community college. I'm 20 and my girlfriend just had a baby and I'm trying to figure out the best route to take. I figure if I do the shorter weld school I can get a job and experience sooner and then get more certificates when I'm able to. The plus side to community college seems to be more hours learning. If anybody can give me any advice on what they would do or suggest it would be greatly appreciated!
Reply:There are pluses and minuses to both routes.  If I was in your situation I would go the Community College route.  You have a baby on the way and the last thing you need is a bucket load of loans to pay for school.  Community colleges are a great value (in California anyway).  I instruct at a community college and we charge 36 bucks a unit (zero if you qualify for a waiver, and most do) and then a $40 material fee per class, per semester.  You burn through that material fee in the first day.  So it is a great value for your dollar.  However, programs vary greatly from college to college, and by that I mean quality of instruction. Like oil, experience and time CANNOT be compressed.  Once you have completed whatever program you choose, you are a certified greenhorn and will need real world experience to become a journeyman.  What I mean is you need to start at the bottom and work your way up, don't get complacent and stagnate.  Constantly expand your skills in all processes even at the expense of pay and it will pay off in the long run.Keep us posted and good luck!Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:I don't know where your located, but I would search around and find someone willing to take you as an apprentice, employers love cheap labor. You certainly will not get rich, but you will learn a lot of real world, hands on information. Who knows, 6 months later you might say, this is not for me, no money vested, no money waisted. I taught  myself how to weld 20 years ago and still learning today. Read, read, practice and read some more. Put yourself around good people and good things will happen. Lots of luck to ya.
Reply:Haha crazy just jumped on this forum and saw this post. I'm in the same situation only 23yrs old. 5 month baby. I myself went with the trade school since I already know how to arc and mig weld (basics, wanted to get certified). Plus the community colleges fill up fast. Right now my class is only like 8 guys 3 instructors so lots of 1 on 1 time in the booth. But if you cant afford trade then don't do it loans aren't the greatest.