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I have been in the welding workforce for two years now, plus a year of welding school beforehand. While I enjoy my job in the manufacturing facility and would find it hard to leave the people there, I have always been the type of guy  with a strong desire to go higher and higher in skills, knowledge, and employment position. I'm returning to school right now to finish the A.A.S. degree in welding technology, as well as obtaining a certificate in mechanical design and a certificate in engineering materials. (I may or may not do the entire A.A.S. degree for mechanical engineering.) As I try to come up with ideas for my future, I find it hard to choose with path to take. I want to have a job related to the welding industry, in the sense that I'm able to spend time on the shop floor with other weldors but I mainly supervise or am a CWI; basically I want to get my hands at least a little bit dirty everyday, but to get my head out of the smoke from time to time would be nice, especially if it payed more.My main interests for advancement have been things like:1. AWS CWI (and CRI)2. AWS CRAW-T or at least CRAW-O3. AWS Welding Supervisor4. AWS Welding EngineerMy main dilemmas are:1. Most current employers I find on job postings require a bachelor's degree in engineering plus any certification mentioned above2. I feel as if I would truly enjoy my job with any of those certifications, but they all appeal to me, and I want something that will last a long timeI hope I'm not too general in my statements, but I want some words from anyone who has insight on the certifications. If you're a CWI, did you have to get a bachelor's degree on top of the certification? Same question goes for the certifications. Also, what kind of pay are you getting if you're a CWI and/or CRAW-T with any education less than a bachelor's; AWS's stated average of a $90K annual salary, or only the $50K range? If you're an employer, would you be interested in hiring someone with an A.A.S. degree in welding technology and some higher certifications, and showed incentive and the ability to learn quickly?Whatever insight anyone has would be awesome. Thank you in advance
Reply:There is a point, a demarcation line(if you will) where you step put of charred denims and into Dockers....There really is that line drawn in the sand where you are on one side or the other.On the Docker's side, you are respected and paid for your education and degrees, but on the charred denim side you are paid and respected for your beads.....There simply is no in-between...If there was, many salty experienced old welders would be at the top of the heap you are clawing at.Your choice is simple...decide now to be the guy in the cubicle wearing Dockers drawing salary, or the guy in charred denims drawing hourly pay....Each choice has it's bennies....and each it's sux stuff.If i were you, I'd attempt the Docker crap first, and then remain able to revert to the deck plates instantly....But only because I'd make them prove to me they don't appreciate all my training and degrees first, but did appreciate my welding abilities in the end.Last edited by wornoutoldwelder; 11-08-2015 at 10:23 PM.
Reply:Technically, five years in the industry is required before you can become a CWI.
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGTechnically, five years in the industry is required before you can become a CWI.