Should I...

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I have basically had zero exposure to welding but I am at a point in my life where I need to chose a new career direction. I am 30 and I have worked as an auto mechanic, civil engineering draftsman, Residential Care Facility Director, and I've renovated 3 houses. I've been seriously considering plumbing (something I enjoy) but in talking to plumbers, most seem to discourage me going in that direction. Maybe their just jaded? The other day, my grandfather suggest I look into welding. I've spent the last week researching it and am seriously considering going to welding school. I really enjoy construction, I have a strong work ethic, and I want to work with my hands and take pride in my work. I'm not looking to get rich here, just want to work hard and earn an honest living. Any advice?
Reply:What part of the country are you in ?
Reply:Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Reply:It's a good field, like just about any trade right now, times are a little slow but it's marketable and there will always be a need. Schooling is something I highly encourage as no matter what in life, no one can take that away from you.  If you have a good work ethic and some construction skills you'll fit in as a welder just fine.  It's also a pretty diverse field in terms of the different industries you can work in.I love it and don't plan on leaving. I went on and got a B.S in welding engineering, I still weld but i train individuals now too
Reply:And the next question: What are everyone's thoughts on tech school vs. specialized welding schools? The cost difference is significant. I live a few blocks from Tulsa Welding School where total tuition is about 15k as opposed to the local tech school where it's closer to 2k.
Reply:I would go with the cheaper option. Vo-tech would give you enough experience to make a decision on what to do from that point. Type "pipe welding schools" in the search function above and read what is there too. The threads below both mention TWS as well as others. Good luck. Welding gave me and my family a good life for 35 yrs., and a local Vo-tech was my school. You get out of it what you put in to it.http://www.aws.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=23887http://www.aws.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=23890Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:My 2-cents.When I was 18, instead of going off to college like my mom said I should, I opted to go my own way.  I hired on with Chicago Bridge & Iron in Houston where I live.  I worked 90-days for $4.50 an hour (probation).  They put me operating an ironworker, a plate shear, then moved to the pipe department where I basically operated a huge bandsaw and forklift.   had expressed an interest in welding at my initial interview.  After 90 days, they pulled me out and put me in their "in-house" weld school, making about $10.00/hr.  Went out on the floor welding, no prob, then union lay-off came around.  Being a relative newb (no seniority), I got laid off.  But I took what they they taught me in a short period of time and got another job with a small fab/machine shop.  Learned more.  Got another job at a shop where I got to learn how to stick weld pipe (and fit).  Then busted out and worked turnarounds all up & down the ship channel at the chem plants and refineries.  Did well, but at 26 yrs. old, I went to college and got my BS in Mech. Engineering.  I always used those early years to my advantage.  Long story short.  Go the cheap route.  You will find out on your own if you can/want to do it.  I f you can and want then, you will teach yourself a lot, very rapidly.  I still weld, have a AWS/CWI, but don't use it.  I love to build and wouldn't ever do it differently.Sigh, thanks for listening (i'm a laid-off power plant start-up/oil/gas/pipeline engineer that now does catering and hot dogs....I love it !)
Reply:well lets see.  if you like being bent,hunched over or contorted around some hot piece of metal for hours with sparks burning ya and i dont care how much PPE you wear your still gona get burnt at some time.  Yea the worst is when ya get one in your ear and ya hear it sizzle.  or you enjoy freezing your rear of in the winter or you like really frying in the summer.If this sounds fun to you then maybee yes this is the job for you.now it may sound like im bitching but i really do love burning rod.  However im not gona sugar coat it and tell ya how great it is when there are some things that ya do need to be aware of.