Recent Grad, Need advice for Work.

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Hello folks, I am a graduate from my local technical school. I spent one year learing standard principles of MIG, TIG, and Stick welding, with most of my efforts being focused on pipe welding. My real skill lies in TIG, but I'm pretty soild with a stinger aswell. I've been out of school for about 6 mths now, and most of that time has been spent diligently looking for employment. During this time I have learned 2 things.1. Most construction company's aren't interested in entry level welding applicants.2. Net having any field experience is a real set back.My previous work experience is wildly varied, from butcher, to lube technician, but nothing directly applicable to the welding industry. I have considered applying with my local union, but I dont think that's the route for me. Between the contract obligations and the capped pay, its just not something I'm terribly excited about.During my time in school I eared 3 pipe welding certificates. -6" Sch. 80 Combination, Carbon Steel-6" Sch. 40 SMAW, Carbon Steel -3" Sch. 40 Dissimilar GTAW.What can I do to help myself in the quest to find work. Do you guys have any advice for an entry level welder trying to find his way in?
Reply:Keep applying.Do not apply for jobs that are out of your skill level. Even if you "think" or "believe" you can do them. Your experience says NO.Keep applying.Consider a lower paying, less appealing job to get experience on your resume.Keep applying.Travel.Places like waste management, rail car repair, and production shops will be more willing to hire entry level guys. My first job was welding pulleys in a shop for 12.50. Six months after that I got a call from Newport News Shipyard. Before I could go to sign the job offer, I got another call back from Chicago Bridge and Iron. Mind you, they aren't offering me 28$/hour, or even the nicest welding jobs... but a damn sight more than 12.50.All from six months at a ****ty job.Where are you located? You can contact staffing agencies, which may not be ideal, but can get your foot in the door on a temp to hire job. If your school has a career services department, I suggest you give them a visit.Unions are not a bad option either. Fresh out of school they may even knock a year or two off your apprenticeship. You can start as a 3rd year and only have to do 3 instead of 5 before you make journeyman. There are a lot of benefits to going union as well as some disadvantages.
Reply:Originally Posted by akabadnewsKeep applying.Do not apply for jobs that are out of your skill level. Even if you "think" or "believe" you can do them. Your experience says NO.Keep applying.Consider a lower paying, less appealing job to get experience on your resume.Keep applying.Travel.Places like waste management, rail car repair, and production shops will be more willing to hire entry level guys. My first job was welding pulleys in a shop for 12.50. Six months after that I got a call from Newport News Shipyard. Before I could go to sign the job offer, I got another call back from Chicago Bridge and Iron. Mind you, they aren't offering me 28$/hour, or even the nicest welding jobs... but a damn sight more than 12.50.All from six months at a ****ty job.Where are you located? You can contact staffing agencies, which may not be ideal, but can get your foot in the door on a temp to hire job. If your school has a career services department, I suggest you give them a visit.Unions are not a bad option either. Fresh out of school they may even knock a year or two off your apprenticeship. You can start as a 3rd year and only have to do 3 instead of 5 before you make journeyman. There are a lot of benefits to going union as well as some disadvantages.
Reply:I'm up in near St. Augustine for the moment. I came down here for a meeting with the local Boilermakers.From what the rep at IBW told me, you would be accepted into the Union, then put to work. Most of the training is on the job, and you have class days as well. I hear nothing but good things about UA. I just missed their local apprenticeship cutoff date, though. IBW is more appealing to me, anyway. Be aware you may not always have work. I don't really know the details as far as what you can do for pay during down time. You might want to stop by the local and talk to somebody.There are tons of welding jobs available, however. Just apply to everything you see. Ideally, you want to be putting in at least 10 applications/resumes a day. Lots of companies have multiple openings, some for experienced guys and some for entry level. I suggest applying to the shipyards if you can get a security clearance. Places like Huntington Ingalls, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Austal all have work lined up for the next 2-5 years. Austal is building the new all aluminum trimaran and catamaran boats for the Navy. I think it's mostly MIG on aluminum. HII/NNS build destroyers/cutters, carriers and subs. NNS requires a bit more of a cleaner background because it's nuclear work.. but they offer a $5000 relo bonus if you are accepted. HII offers $1500. Apply, wait about 3-5 days, then call the HR dept. Zachry is also hiring like crazy. Mostly combo welders so if you can read prints and fit your own stuff you're halfway in the door. They say they want experience most of the time but it's usually to weed out the slackers. If you've got a good resume and put in the work to talk to them and press them you should be able to get in. A buddy of mine who graduated in June did just that and he's shipping out to Houston.The thing is to not get discouraged. You went to school for this trade, which is more than a lot of people can say. You (ideally) know your business.. at least at an intermediate level. Keep applying. Florida is a crappy place for welding outside of a few shipyards, ports, and waste management. If you are willing and able to relocate, the Southwest is a great place. Also, North Dakota has a booming oil industry lately. By booming, I mean they've had to kick people out of the Walmart parking lots for sleeping in cars/campers... and local housing is completely taxed. If you can find a quiet spot to park the car and sleep, or can find an apartment, or man camp with any room, you can get work on the oil fields up there. I think around Kansas/Pennsylvania there's a pipeline in operation, or construction. Texas is supposedly opening up their portion of the Keystone. The Gulf Coast is always hiring (MS, AL, LA, TX area).Last edited by akabadnews; 09-20-2013 at 09:01 PM.
Reply:If you want to make money, you need to travel.  There is more work than God ever imagined out here.  Permian Basin, Eagle Ford shale, east Texas pipelines etc etc as well as pretty good amount of work on the coast from Corpus on up to Port Arthur.  Pipeline, rig work, repair work, vehicles, backhoes. The hardest part is finding a place to live.  A lot of folks in travel trailers and mancamps.This thread popped up on a quick search.  It's 18 months old, but there is no let up.  Wife and I drove through Karnes City in late April 2013 and we must've passed a guy in a truck with a Red/Gray or Blue welder every 30 seconds.http://www.rigwelder.com/forum/showt...d-shale/page2&In about a year, the Panama Canal will be opened wider and deeper.  All the chem plants on the gulf coast of Texas are building ethylene plants, etc.  Barge traffic is through the roof with feedstock, chemicals and intermediates.  Boats and barges need repairs.Good luck.
Reply:Well yesterday I went and met with the local UA, asked some questions and got some answers. Since I was there they decided to go ahead and test me.I took the UA 21 weld test, which is a 2" Sch. 80 combination, TIG root and Stick out with 7018. Upon completion, the coupon passed visiual inspection, and was sent for xrays. I got a call early this evening informing me that I had passed the Xray aswell. They've asked me to come in tomorrow morning for an interview and to fill out an application. If they like what they hear, ill be started out as a 3rd year apprentice, and taking classes two nights a week.
Reply:UA is the way to go. Ive been a UA welder for 7 years and Its been great. Good luck in your interview.UA Local 598
Reply:All you gotta do is talk to somebody. Congrats on the pass. I only ever hear good things about UA.I'm actually gonna run by the UA offices later this week. Maybe I'll get as lucky as you.