What is the best way to become a welder these days?

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Hey everybody. . I'm in need of advice from any welders out there from all ages and experience. .I'm 19 years old, just graduated from high school about a year ago and am currently attending my local community college for the welding certificate program. . But I'm confused on what route to take to becoming a welder. .I've spoken to MANY welders from fab shops and rig welders and they all said I'm wasting my time going to school for welding. .my dream is to get really good at everything from mig to stick to tig and learn to weld pipe..I know it all takes time and practice so I don't expect to get good in 1 year..I live in Houston, Texas and we have lots of refineries, chemical plants power plants, the Houston ship channel and shipyards..God willing I'll work In one of those places in a year or 2..I hope to also have my own rig later in life when I feel or know that I am ready for it. .I know rig welders who are 18 years old and my age out there pipelining and everything. .I feel like I'm falling behind..so if any welders out there could give me advice or any pointers it would be highly appreciated. .thanks
Reply:They say you are wasting your time? Wow.Just keep in mind that your school while teaching your the basics may be inflating your ego. Stay here and we will tear it back down. Ok, I am going to say something nice about FieldRes. He bought his own equipment and practices hours on end. The guy got really good on pipe, but is a little weird to boot. He really did get his mind in the metal. Then apply for some jobs and look for pipe job, as a weldor of fitter. Experience is everything. I would also buy a student membership in AWS and recieve their monthly magazine the Welding Journal. Subscribe to Fabricator magazine, and again stay here on WW.I went the Aerospace route. These days I am mostly tig welding SS or alum, with some mig thrown in. Me hates the stick arc but that is just me. Today I will be writing a PQR on alum butt weld sample. The AWS specs like AWS D1.1, AWS D!>@, and AWS 17.1 are required reading for these tests. I think everyone should study these whatever en devour or process you gravitate to, but again that is me.What FieldRes videos on Youtube and get in his mind. Oh, and pipe crosses over to structural, so you will be working like a boss for many years to come. Good Luck.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Wasting time going to school?  Unless you are studying flower arranging or something else besides welding, you are not wasting time.But, if you are not practicing what you are studying.......away from school.......you might be wasting some time regarding how quickly you develop and hone your abilities.The more you know about the basic principles and foundation of welding, the easier it is for you to adopt those principles for yourself, and that just makes you more versatile (and "hire-able").A mixture of "how to" videos AND actual welding practice (plus what shovelon said) will get you further along toward any goal you set for yourself.
Reply:If those 18yr old rig welders ever need to go into anything else for whatever reason, that missing "piece of paper" as it is so affectionately called (the certificate/degree), will hold them back. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:the fastest way is to buy a welding machine, design a product and sell it online or locally, of course then you need to either take classes or read books on running a businesses, which quite frankly is probably just as hard as learning to weld good.
Reply:i went to my local technical college, took welding. great experience great choice. you hit a shop floor as an apprentice they will throw you to the wolves, but taking a pre-employment course gives you a pointy stick to fend them off with.you want my advice? what i should have done?buy as much literature as possible and code work, metallurgy, theory.watch welding tips and tricks and fieldres the guys have great arc shots.dont stay in one place too long.work a production job for a year to learn to work quick then leave.buy everything cash. cash is king and if you have no debt your sitting on the throne.if you can step across it I can weld it.