Job Hunting..

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I am looking for a welding/fabrication job. I am located in Fitzgerald Georgia. I am willing to travel from Tifton to Douglas. I know howt to GTAW (TIG) weld, GMAW (MIG) weld, FCAW (FLUX CORE) weld. I also have experience with oxyfuel cutting. I am also familiar with punch, shear, and brake machines.I have searched but not really seemed to get much interest in someone who does not have actual Job experience. I am currently attending college where I have learned how to do these welding applications and will continue to learn. If anyone could at least shoot me in the right direction *or* maybe a few links *or* forums to check out. Google has not been my friend the last few days...Thanks in advanced guys!
Reply:As I read your first paragraph, I noticed you used both the AWS process designations and the more widespread outdated (slang) terms, so I figured you had been involved in some professional training.I'm guessing some types of employment will have some respect for your formal education, and others will not.  But either way you'll have to be able to prove your "book learnin" by applying it to hands on work.Have you looked at http://careercenter.aws.org/search/results/index.cfm? the AWS job search?If your are able and willing to relocate, you'll obviously open up many more possibilities.Best of luck.Last edited by pulser; 07-23-2008 at 07:03 PM.
Reply:I tend to agree with what "pulser" said, you have to back it up. The way your post read to me was that you have factory experience, if that is the case then you'll get no mileage from the construction industry, you'll need to prove yourself as a rookie does. Not talking down to you, just giving you my 2 cents worth from experience. If you do in fact have construction experience then you need to give your facts to someone good at writing resumes so they can exploit you experience.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Originally Posted by smokeshowI am looking for a welding/fabrication job. I am located in Fitzgerald Georgia. I am willing to travel from Tifton to Douglas. I know howt to GTAW (TIG) weld, GMAW (MIG) weld, FCAW (FLUX CORE) weld. I also have experience with oxyfuel cutting. I am also familiar with punch, shear, and brake machines.I have searched but not really seemed to get much interest in someone who does not have actual Job experience. I am currently attending college where I have learned how to do these welding applications and will continue to learn. If anyone could at least shoot me in the right direction *or* maybe a few links *or* forums to check out. Google has not been my friend the last few days...Thanks in advanced guys!
Reply:Most guys start out as a helper or apprentice, yes while attending school and sometimes even after. I learned welding in the oilfield back when welding schools just didn't exist, and nobody will hire anyone without practical experience no matter how much schooling you have out there. Everything has to be treated as if it will blow up in your face, because most of it will. No matter how much education you get you will still have to prove your skills. Just like no matter how many years of experience you have you still have to test to get hired. Many places there is a whole lot more to it than being able to run the beads. There is a shop out there looking for someone just like you. Someone who wants to learn and is investing their own money and time in doing so. Just like anything else you start at the bottom and work your way up. Be honest with them up front. Tell them you have no actual job experience, but that you want to learn and you are willing to start at cleaning the shop and go up from there. As soon as they see you can do it then you will be doing it.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Smokeshow, I am located a couple hours west of you, but I know a bit about your location.  As I Went to college at ABAC, and I also have done a good bit of work in that area the past few years.  As mentioned above experience is everything, but you will need a job to start getting experience.   The first place that comes to mind in KMC in Tifton.  I know they used to hire some college kids back when I was going to school, and working at ABAC so it might be worth a shot.  The next place would be Tifton machine.  Talk to Vaughn Harris there.  He is the shop foreman there, or was last time I knew about it.  Brewer Implement out west of Tifton on US 82 might be worth checking on.   Also there was a man and a son up in Chula, I believe there name was Pearman but they had a small business building peanut shakers, and he used to look for help quite often.  It might be a stretch for you, but In Albany at the Marine Corp base I believe they are hiring, and that would be a great place to get your foot in the door.  Have you asked your teacher if they might know of somewhere you could check into.  I would start by going thru the phone book looking for welding shops and just go talk to them.  You might just get lucky.  I have a few good friends over in the Alapaha area.  I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if they might know of anywhere worth interest.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:If its a college, it's almost certainly got some sort of career services department...
Reply:I really have a love for automobiles, so if I could get a job welding on chassis or building frames or cages.. etc. .etc... would be my dream job.  But I am more than willing to start at the bottom, but I also need to support a family.  A 10 day old and 3 year old and a wife, and I need to be home every night, and would like to continue to go to school and increase my knowledge and skills if at all possible.The school does have job placement.  However, you have to complete your diploma before they will help you.  But the way I see it, I will have no more on the job training then, than I do now.  So I was just trying to get ahead of the game.  I have put my name out there and applied at a few places.  But no responses back, and I am not waiting on them.  If they want me bad enough they will contact me.  I have been told about a few production jobs, and everyone agrees, that you will be a worse welder when you leave than when you started.  And I would like to stay away from  bad habits.  I have a few of my own already and really would like not to increase the bad.  I am very eager to learn, and I am a relatively quick study.  As in I had almost zero knowledge of welding and I have learned 3 welding processes in a year and have passed tests in all positions.  That being said, I know that there is a ton of room for improvement.  And I in no way shape or form am the best at it, but I want to be, especially at GTAW ( TIG ).  It is sort of an art form to me, and I take pride in how my work turns out.  Which I would say is my best and worst quality!  I tend to take the extra step to make everything right the first time.  And in a production line, it is more about quantity and not quality.  And I just have a hard time wrapping my head around that process, as in I feel that my name is on everything I do.  And I feel if I wouldn't have it in my house, why would anyone else want it in theirs!  I appreciate the input and replies guys!  I will look into a few of those places.  I have not looked on AWS Job search.  Thanks for the heads up!
Reply:Well I got my second job offer yesterday, however, it's in Mississippi... so I am going to have to pass on that one...So the search continues..