Pipeline Questions

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Hey everyone, i'm new to this Forum! Little info on myself. I'm new to the welding world, but I LOVE it, i've been in my welding class for about 2 months now in high school and i'm one of the best welders already. We've been laying down beads with a 6010 rod, and 7080 rods as well. Then we cut the plate of metal in half and welded it back together. I've also been doing some side jobs welding with the stick welder, and some tig and mig welding here and there. But anyways back to the main question. I'm really wanting to join the pipeline, or at least go into pipeline welding. I want to know yall's opinion and whats the best thing for me to do. To get into there quickly and start making some money. After highschool i'll be going to get my associates degree knocked out first. So is there anyway while i'm going to college i can be a welders hand of some sort and get some experience that way? Or should i go to college and learn that way? Whatever way is going to be better in the long run. I'd like to know if there is some way to work on the pipeline straight out of highschool. Or if i should go to college first... Also if theres any businesses down by the Houston area that would hire me out of highschool sort of like an apprentice. Thanks yall, i'm glad to be here and look forward to making some new friends!Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. -Confucius
Reply:Get hold of last Sunday's Houston Chronicle business section.Banner for the story reads:There is no such thing as an unemployed welder in the Gulf Coast area.Graduates from community colleges are being hired before they get there diplomas.
Reply:Having a degree is not the Golden Ticket,but it will open doors for advancement on other career paths . So the choice is your's .Oh and it's 7018 not 7080!
Reply:An associates degree is a start but from there  get a job as a welders helper. Learn the trade a little and have an old timer teach you. Then rig up and break out on your own.  From my exp I went to a trade school. Was helpful for some other jobs. Didn't do much for pipeline but gives good time and instruction.  Lots of good hands started out as helpers. It's a good way because it helps knowing people to get a test as a contract hand.  Practice all the time and you can weld wherever you want.
Reply:Got any pictures?The guys on here will give you tips that only guys with years of experience know.
Reply:Start as a helper and get to know as many company men as you can and practice a lot and be on time never be late. Save your money buy all the tools you need try to pay cash for as much as you can pay cash for your welder and do not lease or rent. There will be times of plenty and times of not enough. When you go on your own make sure you have at least 500.00 to 800.00 for your liability insurance go test and have the insurance agent on speed dial to issue the policy as soon as you pass the test. Have a good CPA and save all your paper work pay taxes quarterly it makes it a lot easier. If you bust 3 welds your going home.
Reply:Thank you everyone who has responded. It means alot, my mother runs in the oilfield. She actually doesn't want me to live the lifestyle of a pipeliner always gone and whatnot. But I don't have anything to lose. Like my welding teacher told me "It's a single man's game." I'll be graduating this year coming June. If there is anyone on here that knows anyone who needs a helper of some sort after I get out of high school I'd like to learn. But I'm practicing everyday. Again thank you guys!
Reply:And yes I have some pictures of my welds from class I will post some. As of now I'm the 'best' in my class. But from pictures I've seen of great welds. I don't seem to think I'm to great yet.
Reply:The biggest danger to a young guy in the trades is Booze and drugs (the old work hard party hard)  working a lot of hour's puts big bucks in your jeans . don't throw it away. My middle son stared down that road  he was working 48 hr double time on weekends  when he was only 18 got paid salary all week to be on call . A DUI with a roach in his ashtray put and end to that. think smart work smart and have a good life! He is back on track now .Last edited by gxbxc; 10-29-2014 at 11:59 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcThe biggest danger to a young guy in the trades is Booze and drugs (the old work hard party hard)  working a lot of hour's puts big bucks in your jeans . don't throw it away. My middle son stared down that road  he was working 48 hr double time on weekends  when he was only 18 got paid salary all week to be on call . A DUI with a roach in his ashtray put and end to that. think smart work smart and have a good life! He is back on track now .
Reply:Originally Posted by Canadian WeldingGot any pictures?The guys on here will give you tips that only guys with years of experience know.
Reply:Your 6010 looks great! It's good to be ambitious but you have to take it a little bit slower. You don't become a pipeliner overnight or over a dozen nights. It's darn hard work and long hours. You have to be cut out for it. I never worked pipeline but know guys that have. A lot of newbies only think about how much money they can make but don't think about how hard they have to work and the physical demands of the job. Sometimes, you're working in mud and slop and horrible weather. See if there's a pipeliners union in your area and try to get in there from the get go. Often it's a lot easier to get in on the ground floor as a laborer or welders helper. Work smart, always think about safety, pay attention, and most of all show a lot of interest and enthusiasm and try to learn as much as you can. I've seen new apprentices come on jobs and they don't seem too interested. Some of them come right out of school and figure they're going to set the world on fire... then they get a dose of reality. Trying to tell some of the established guys how to do it better usually backfires.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveYour 6010 looks great! It's good to be ambitious but you have to take it a little bit slower. You don't become a pipeliner overnight or over a dozen nights. It's darn hard work and long hours. You have to be cut out for it. I never worked pipeline but know guys that have. A lot of newbies only think about how much money they can make but don't think about how hard they have to work and the physical demands of the job. Sometimes, you're working in mud and slop and horrible weather. See if there's a pipeliners union in your area and try to get in there from the get go. Often it's a lot easier to get in on the ground floor as a laborer or welders helper. Work smart, always think about safety, pay attention, and most of all show a lot of interest and enthusiasm and try to learn as much as you can. I've seen new apprentices come on jobs and they don't seem too interested. Some of them come right out of school and figure they're going to set the world on fire... then they get a dose of reality. Trying to tell some of the established guys how to do it better usually backfires.
Reply:Hi ttoks  is there jobs for pipe welders at the moment  in Australia  I'm from ireland going to weld school  at the moment after I finish I'd like to work there for a few months