Where to start??

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Hi guys,     Brand new on here and figured this would be the best place to ask questions. Long story short I am getting discharged from the Navy (Honorable) after an injury in SEAL prep course. I welded on and off for a couple years with my small mig at home and before i left for the military last year i had about a years experience welding and fabricating at a sanitation plant under someone, sort of a make shift apprenticeship.  I just learned the bare minimums in the shop. Now that im coming home though i want to pursue a career in welding and fabricating.      I just started enrolling at a community technical college that offers a diploma in combination welding, or just individual certifications (whichever you choose, i applied for the combo). I also applied to a couple apprenticeships around town.  Is this where i shoud be right now? Or should i get through the schooling before getting on-the-job experience. Is the schooling worth it? (Its fairly cheap, not like a wyotech or those other "prestigious technical schools" that rape your wallet) Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I love welding and fabricating and want to make a career out of it. Im 22 years old, about to get married, and am also about to finish my associates. Dont know if any of that matters, just wanted to give some details on my situation. Thanks in advance for any info!
Reply:Damn seals always breaking thing,and er...people. Used to work with a handful of those guys.   if your still into the navy,ever thought about the Seabees? lots of metal fab if you can wiggle your way into the right spots. I can't help you much as there's just too many variables. i went to a local tech school forever. did twice as many classes as needed, just to get better. and still had a hell of a time trying to find welding work. Took almost 3 years. it's hard being young and trying to break into the industry when there are so many old hand welders out of work. ( notice: that doesn't mean they are better than you, many times its quite the opposite, old hands can have bad habits) all i can say is to weld your brains out anyway you can. make as many connections in heavy industry as you can. you have a friend that runs heavy equipment. there's probably a welder around see if you can use it. Get on as many machines as possible. You just have to aggressively attack that goal. Same for the jobs, you gotta be aggressive.  I kept two razor blades I TIGed together on my wallet with my number etched into it as a calling card ( old welder taught me that one)  Something to make you stand out. Remember too that welders often to alot of things that are not welding. Dont be the guy that thinks he's a hot shot welder and only wants to lay a bead down. Be flexible. if you gotta torch **** apart in 6" of misc. fermented animal ****( my last two days) then you do it. it's hard man. But now that i'm finally in it. I'm as happy as i ever could be. it's worth every min of struggle. Treat it like Seal/Buds school and burn some metal,bud.  PM me if there"s anything else i can do for ya. I certainly know what its like to be the 24 year old heavily tattoed welder kid trying to break into the industry,hah.
Reply:Hey UInked,From an 'ol geezer, take the class.....completely. The more you learn about each process, the more value you are in the field & to any company that does multiple processes. Be sure you ARE GOOD with each one.....takes much practice.....all to your benefit.I've worked in every kind of fab shop, pipe shop, production shop, & each utilized different processes & applications. Get hungry & stay hungry.....will definitely pay off in the long run for you. Being retired now, after 48yrs welding/fabbing/machining, all of it still pays off now with my own small welding/fab shop. Work has been good with the downturn in the economy as everyone is getting things fixed rather than replaced. Ask anyone in the service sector & they will say the same. I make my own hours & yet take the time to enjoy my retirement because I earned it, although I like to work every day as it keeps one in shape & your mind sharp.You have a good attitude...a positive one......That will bring you success. Don't hesitate to ask any questions here.....many superb minds & experience to provide help. Good luck....DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Thanks for the feedback guys I really appreciate it. Im gonna hit those classes and look for jobs and see where it takes me. Ypap- Thanks for the pep talk. What you're doin now is a long time dream of mine and im sure a lot of guys. I hope i can be there someday!Grimm- I wish i could have had the chance to be a seabee but the rates just arent available. Thanks for the insight and that razor business card idea is pretty bad ***.
Reply:I'm sure a lot of the older guys on here have heard of it. But i'll be damned if it doesn't still work. I saved them for really awesome job opportunities though. Engraving them was a pain in the ***! They dicked me around with the seebee's for a few years before I gave up,said screw you guys and did PMC work for a while. I'm probably getting a little old, but I'd still love to spend a few years with the Bee's. CAN DO! another one i did on two jobs i really wanted was to take two 3/16th stainless rods and bend them up into crazy little patterns and and weld them together in parallel So its just this little bundle of crazy tight fitting welds in crazy positions. I had a specific super shorty tungsten,nozzle,end cap etc for my TIG to do those.