Going to TIG school/ AWS membership worth it?

admin

I took the plunge, I've enrolled in "WELD 134(b) (GTAW)", that's the official name of the class at College of Southern Nevada.  Looks like it a good program but I'm taking it as a non transferable class so I don't have to dig out my SATS, take placement tests or go to career counseling.  I'm already 31 years into my dream career and still going strong.  Oh, and the class is $415, all in, including additional "fees" from our near bankrupt state.  Here's the full program...http://www.csn.edu/pages/1146.aspI'm in the Sat section, 1 hr lecture, 6 hrs lab.  It all happens in the lab.  The textbook is optional but I got it anyway.    GTAW Handbook by Minnick  I'll also likely get the Jeffus book to go with the few Finch books I got when I started.  I'm excited, can't wait.  I'll only have time for one class a semester but I'll do at least MIG and inspection.  My goal is to be good enough to build a side business fabing race cars and parts, something I've done as a hobby for about 10 years.  I'm now the guy at the track that gets the "hey dude can you weld (or) bend this for me".  Not looking to under cut the market either.  Quality work is not cheap.  As for AWS membership (not the cert) do you think it's worth it?  I've trolled the site and for me, even if I do hang out a shingle and do this on the side, I'm not sure how beneficial it would be.  Thoughts from the pros?TIADave
Reply:Grats!It'll be money well spent.If you are thinking of self employment a business course will help a ton too!Happy learning!Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:I think it will be worth the money. You'll get their Welding Journal magazine, which has some cool articles and you get to see the latest and greatest in welding equipment. I've let my membership lapse, as I'm inching closer to retirement, but when I signed up it included a copy of the Welding Handbook, too. Mine is a 4 volume hardback set of books that has a ton of information in it. Everything from descriptions of all the various welding processes, to basic metallurgy. I don't know if they still include them, but they are a great reference. All the AWS publications are discounted for members, too.
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldingMachineGrats!It'll be money well spent.If you are thinking of self employment a business course will help a ton too!Happy learning!
Reply:Investing in your education is the best investment you can make.Good luck and study hard,Yakdung
Reply:Originally Posted by yakdungInvesting in your education is the best investment you can make.Good luck and study hard,Yakdung
Reply:Join the AWS.  Yes you get the Journal but more important there are regular monthly meetings where you rub shoulders people with similar interests.  Several times it set me apart from the rest of the shop when an engineer or inspector would come up to me and make small talk.... Why? Because we had met before at dinner meetings and industrial tours.  Networking is very important.
Reply:I am a member.   And I've also just joined AWS...