Combo Welders: What was your first job out of school?

admin

For all the combo welders on this board, I'm wondering what your first job was after graduating from your welding program?  Seems like it's a huge challenge for a new combo. welder to land/keep a job since xray testing is so thorough.  Thoughts?
Reply:My first job was the Naval Shipyard. It was less money then other jobs I was offered that were only one discipline. I advanced rapidly bucking to move up to the next level by qualifying for more stuff. i.e. pipe, tig, ss and other specialty metals. I learned more at the Navy Yard then I did in welding school. and out of the 6 - 7 years I was at the Navy Yard about a total of 2 years was spent in the training center qualifying. Paid training, ya gotta love it! Not sure what your worry with the qualifying is though?  If one is a combo welder, it means you will pass the tests now matter which process. Combo welder is a goal for most welders. And hard and expensive to maintain the certs if you are doing it yourself. Mostly it is all practice, practice, practice,  then find a place to work where they apply multiple processes. Sometimes that can be hard to find.Welding everything, from the crack of dawn to a broken heart.
Reply:Ironic but cutting material on saws and ironworker then running brake on evening shift.  You just never know what you will end up doing.  60 men in shop and I was new guy.  28 laid off suddenly but not me...  Why?  Because I volunteered to learn the brake and take evening shift.  I lasted another two weeks  but then when laid off I could sorta weld and operate a brake.  Two weeks later I am brake operator and part time welder in another shop.   Unfortunately many welding schools do not train skills on saws, ironworkers, burning tables, shear and press brake.  The local college makes sure their people have those skills... oh yes also a bit of rigging.Last edited by lotechman; 02-02-2012 at 05:59 PM.Reason: addition
Reply:^^^ Yeah, that is the trick. Never be the guy with his hands in his pocket and always be reaching for the next tool or machine. Let them know you are hungry to learn. If there is nothing to reach for then reach for the broom. You will get noticed. That is the hard thing about welding. Being a welder is only part of it, it is the hammer and nails so to speak. Then you have to learn how to fixture and fabricate, fit pipes, run machines, build ships etc. Just being a welder will get you $10-$20 per hour. Being able to weld in multiple processes in multiple positions and being able to fit and build will get you much much more. And you will be the last guy out when the work slows down. A good solid work ethic goes a looooong way.Welding everything, from the crack of dawn to a broken heart.