I really want to work pipeline, want to travel, more info inside. Please read!

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Hey guys, alright...so I really want to try working pipeline and travel for a few years or longer. I live in Mississippi and we don't have much for welding around here other than shipyard from what I can tell. I am about to complete a structural SMAW class which is great and all but...it isn't pipe. Basically, I did it to learn to weld and hope it would help get me on as a helper somewhere. Maybe I'm a bit different when it comes to looking for work, as I have a college degree that is somewhat related. I have a bit of experience designing midstream/residential pipelines for neighborhoods and cities and such (sub-8" PLE). Thing is, I learned I hate desk work in doing that. I would love to be a helper, but I'm wondering if there is anything in environmental, safety, QC, or something else that is not so hard on the body as a helper or full time welder? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind hard work at all...I'm just looking at all of my potential options. If there is in fact something I can look into, what is the best way to search it out? I've called a handful of companies but no one gives any information hardly. Yes/No answers. I realize the labor type jobs are almost always in person, show up, show what you can do and maybe you'll be able to stick around...but is EVERYTHING treated that way? Coming from college has me terrified because we are taught to job search online for positions that you can't be in contact with the correct higher up.
Reply:Nothing?
Reply:delete double postLast edited by JTMcC; 07-18-2014 at 03:18 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by StoppedDown I'm wondering if there is anything in environmental, safety, QC, or something else that is not so hard on the body as a helper or full time welder? If there is in fact something I can look into, what is the best way to search it out?
Reply:Originally Posted by JTMcCThere are hundreds of non welding jobs on a full size pipeline spread. So yes environmental, safety, QC, plus gps/survey, parts runners/warehouse, truck drivers, laborers, equipment operators/oilers, road flaggers, office hands, RT (Xray), other forms of NDT, bending cats, engineers, all types of inspectors (utility, weld, ditch, backfill, etc, etc), seeding companies, plant relocaters, mechanics, archeologists, just hundreds.But they all require experience in the particular field, unless it's flagging at a road bore or filling sandbags or an oiler/swamper. That and Welder Helper are about the only entry level work on mainline construction. Inspection (non welding) is probably the easiest entry for inexperienced people. But keep in mind that pipeline work just eats up the inexperienced.