Broader horizons

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Hey guys first lets me give you a run down on work history, I went to a local college to pick up the trade 4 years ago and ever since I have been working in a production shop welding. I've come to the point in my career that I need to broaden my horizons and learn the trade as it's meant to be. So I've applied at a structural shop. At this point in time at at a cross road thinking should I stay at a job where I have 3 shift rotation every 2 weeks with better pay benefits and job security. Or should I take a chance of leaving and if it doesn't work I'm sol.. Then the idea of taking a leave of absence from my current job came up.I need some advice from guys who have had to make this jump is it worth a pay cut to have a better job? A normal life? The end game is to run my own welding truck/business and I won't get that doing production.Please help.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:If you take a leave of absence you are usually not able to take on different employer. As far as your future of being happy, i would take the pay cut, move on and just readjust my lifestyle. Being happy in life is a key factor.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:is that accordance to labour laws or other? because i have heard of a few guys going out to the alberta pipeline to make a few grand while on leave. and trust me being able to see friends and family again would be amazing. happiness doesnt exactly fill the belly either know what i mean. its a 4$/hr pay cut. I was thinking the leave of absence if i can to work the probationary period see if i even like the place to begin with.
Reply:Too bad you are on a rotating shift.  Have you got your Red Seal yet?  If you have been welding for 4 years you should be getting close to the required amount of time.  I am guessing that the present shop you are in does not test the welders so you don't have any tickets?  You should drop by the school you went to and ask about upgrading.  If you are going into a proper structural shop likely they will test you out for flat and horizontal on flux core, metal core or hard wire.  You would be issued a CWB certification.  Until you have an all position SMAW CWB certification you will be inside welding structural.  An all position E 7018 certification is needed if you do outside structural work.  Almost every crew of ironworkers needs at least one person with a welding ticket.
Reply:Right now I hold fcaw and SMaw privately paid for and no I'm due in November. For the required 4 1/2 years and 7200hrs. We have a local test center that does all cwb and red seal testing.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:Originally Posted by hydeRight now I hold fcaw and SMaw privately paid for and no I'm due in November. For the required 4 1/2 years and 7200hrs. We have a local test center that does all cwb and red seal testing.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Living with the gf in an apartment, no kids just bills. And ya I was surprised to hear I had cwb's until 2012 that I didn't know I still had. And I phoned cwb branch recently they made 4.5 year minimum mandatory which agreed is kind of odd.... Feels as if they are trying to prevent people from making money and vein successful...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:My opinion, since I was 20 years young I went into the heavy industrial construction. Like yourself I was working for the army before I jumped ship. I was repairing combat vehicles that were out of service as a welder making 2100$ a month. Then the job opportunity came to work out of town as a helper picking up trash for 12$ an hour and 90 per diem. I'm 26 years old now with a family doing wonderful. Working as a rig welder making 58$/hr and 100+ per diem. The burdens are heavy but the rewards are great. Your choice my kind sirLast edited by Bostick101; 04-22-2014 at 10:59 PM.~1987 Lincoln Sa-200~~1978 Miller Big 40~ (restored) ~and everything inbetween~
Reply:I did this a few years ago.  Be smart about it.  Times were not always easy but couldn't stress how much the quality of my life has improved as well as my skill and knowledge.  Some guys can go to a place and take a job that is just a job limited to only what that company does and that is fine.  My fear was I would wake up one day at 55 and be disposed of and SOL only really knowing what limited experience I got there with kids to feed.  Disliked life at the time and had tasted the other side beforehand.  I'd much rather be a more balanced and experienced professional.  It wasn't easy all the time but I do not regret it.  Most of my coworkers would have come with me if they could have.  Takes time but in my case it was well worth it.  Good luck with whatever you decide....and burn that **** in hot.lol
Reply:Thanks guys I think the huge problem everyone has is the what ifs in the back of your head. I love the idea of something different every day and expanding on my knowledge I already have. And I know the saying if you want to be great don't stay anywhere too long. Doesn't help I have poor spending habits. Has anyone had to take a pt job to help themselves along?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:Like what WELDERMIKE STATED , You gotta be happy and love what you do. As far as spending, just try to separate your WANTS from your needs ! It ain't easy ! Everybody wants, BUT ,do you really need it ??
Reply:That's the hard part. Right now my hobby is restoring a c10 but that won't happen if I take this job. The plan was finish it for next summer, buy a 4x4 cheap Tj or yj and remove car payments from my life. And relief myself from all my debt. Buying a 30k truck wasn't the best idea but at the time never thought about it that way.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:Hindsight is always 20-20....  When I was about 22 years I asked a guy in a trust company about investing is stocks and such.  His advice was that before I do anything I should have six months income saved up and in a SAFE investment like bonds or term deposits.  He refused to even help me buy stocks.  Looking back it was good advice.... I should have listened to him but....
Reply:Well guys I appreciate all the advice but I have decided to stay with the job im at now and get my ducks in a row before i move anywhere save up 3-6 months income before i make a jump. by that time i will hopefully have my red seal i appreciate all the advice guysif you can step across it I can weld it.