New to the field - cross training?

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Hello!This is my first time here. What a great website! I have so many questions.Here's my quick story, with questions about welding to follow:I'm a Marine Corp veteran (PME tech - aka Avionics Calibration/Metrology). I've got a girlfriend who is 5 months pregnant and we're in the process of moving back to our hometown to be closer to our family/friends. The community college there offers AWS-certified AS and certificate welding programs. They ALSO offer an AS and certificate program in Machine Tool Technology, including CNC programming. As of now, I know literally NOTHING about either trade outside of a basic idea of what each one is.So, question #1: Would it be wise to complete BOTH of those programs? Is cross training between these two trades valuable? I'd be eager to pay for and learn both trades if it will make me that much more of an asset.Question #2: It states on the schools' website that entry-level salaries for machinists are higher than that of welders ($3800 vs $2900/month)- is that true, and what can I expect to earn as an entry-level welder in the San Francisco bay area?Question #3: What about long term? I know you guys are probably biased towards welding (ha), but which one offers better earning potential in the long run? I know job opportunities for both are supposed to be pretty good.Question #4: It states on the schools' website that in the machinist program, it is common for students to work in the field while still attending classes. This seems as though it should ring true for the welding program as well. Does it? And if so, when should I likely be competent enough to get a job welding?That's it for now I guess... I'm really looking for some guidance and I hope you guys can help me!!Thanks!!
Reply:There is no such thing as being too well prepared or having too many marketable skills.  Do all you can and be ready for people to snub your degrees until you get a little experience to go along with them.  Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service, and congratulations on the pending new arrival.
Reply:Originally Posted by randomdudeHello!This is my first time here. What a great website! I have so many questions.Here's my quick story, with questions about welding to follow:I'm a Marine Corp veteran (PME tech - aka Avionics Calibration/Metrology). I've got a girlfriend who is 5 months pregnant and we're in the process of moving back to our hometown to be closer to our family/friends. The community college there offers AWS-certified AS and certificate welding programs. They ALSO offer an AS and certificate program in Machine Tool Technology, including CNC programming. As of now, I know literally NOTHING about either trade outside of a basic idea of what each one is.So, question #1: Would it be wise to complete BOTH of those programs? Is cross training between these two trades valuable? I'd be eager to pay for and learn both trades if it will make me that much more of an asset.In life the more you learn, the more marketable you are.It would be wise to take Machine Tool Firstand Follow up with the welding program.Question #2: It states on the schools' website that entry-level salaries for machinists are higher than that of welders ($3800 vs $2900/month)- is that true, and what can I expect to earn as an entry-level welder in the San Francisco bay area?Can't speak for machinists but, I know pay as a welder is commensurate with your experience and skill level. It is generally regarded as the highest paid "trade".Entry level mig welders in that area are likely making around $10-14 an hr.Thread where recent pay rates are being discussed.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...highlight=makeQuestion #3: What about long term? I know you guys are probably biased towards welding (ha), but which one offers better earning potential in the long run? I know job opportunities for both are supposed to be pretty good.There are still plently of welding jobs around but, you must be highly mobile to get them. i.e. be willing to leave home for good paying work, and work it hard when it presents itself. Sometimes 6-7 days a week and 10 hour days if not more.If Nuclear were to kick up again you could count on a welding job well into retirement.I know many Machinists and CNC operators that are out of work.Where a machinist has a narrow scope to make money....Welders only limiting potential is themselves.Question #4: It states on the schools' website that in the machinist program, it is common for students to work in the field while still attending classes. This seems as though it should ring true for the welding program as well. Does it? And if so, when should I likely be competent enough to get a job welding?The odds of landing a serious welding job while in school are doubtful.Other than maybe entry level mig.I guess in welding there are kind of dues to be paid.Competent enough? When you can certify you have the just enough knowledge and skill to be dangerousThat's it for now I guess... I'm really looking for some guidance and I hope you guys can help me!!Thanks!!
Reply:Thanks for serving RD!1.: You can never know "too much" in this industry, & if you can handle both workloads do both!  I did machine shop first, then welding.  When making anything out of metal, the fitup is most important if you want it to come out right.  If you can get your "measuring & cutting" down first, it will pay off huge later on.2,3.: I think that machinists make more to start, but there is more room for more $$ later on with welding. 4.: Sure, most folks work in-field while schooling, the more you can do, the quicker you'll learn it.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:i'm a machinist/tool&die maker by trade, i hobby weld... i wouldnt mind taking some welding classes for formal education, i find the technical aspect of welding very interesting.  i dont even know if the trade school is even open nights here anymore, plus, i would have to know the teachers credentials and i would insist to interview the teacher before i would pay for a class..  the tool&die certification program in my area has been shutdown due to lack of students..  i come to think the government wants the tradeskills shutdown, i think the government sees them as the middle income that they no longer want.. if i could turn back time, i wouldnt pick machine tool as a trade..  think i would have picked something a little cleaner and also with the way the manufacturing segment has took a big crap the future of the industry seems bleek...  on the other hand if manufacturing gains steam  both trades can pay very well..  if the trade does rebound there will be a shortage of tool&die makers from all the layoffs presently and the tool and die makers changing trades and careers, the ones left with experience that have stayed in the trade are going to pretty much write their own checks if it happens...   i dont see it happening in the next 10 yrs, when chinese tool&die makers are making $5 a day and american companies are over there offering american tool&die training and also design&engineering training and services... if i were looking at something it would almost have to do with "green energy" in some way shape or form...tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/