Questions about the industry

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This is a little long of a post, but I would greatly appreciate it if I could get some help from somebody.I'm really interested in becoming a welder but I'm having some trouble finding the information I need to take the appropriate first step. Education is crucial to be successful in any industry, and finding schools with respectable welding programs has certainly been my biggest challenge. The problem is there are very few (if any) trade schools that are every day household names like universities such as UGA, NYU, or Harvard. And to make things even more frustrating, typing "Respectable welding schools in Atlanta" in Google only sends me to tons of links leading to websites that blow my phone up with recruiters who are interested only in their commission from getting me to join and don't give me any helpful information. I've been toying with the idea of moving from Atlanta to North Carolina to live with my aunt and go to the one school that seems to be a decent fit (Wake Technical Community College) at the end of my lease in April. My biggest fear is going there and getting my degree and not being able to land a good job because the school is viewed by employers as third rate. This just recently occurred to me and I'm freaking out about it because the time is coming soon to make a decision. Can anybody please offer me some insight?
Reply:Originally Posted by MuccinoThis is a little long of a post, but I would greatly appreciate it if I could get some help from somebody.I'm really interested in becoming a welder but I'm having some trouble finding the information I need to take the appropriate first step. Education is crucial to be successful in any industry, and finding schools with respectable welding programs has certainly been my biggest challenge. The problem is there are very few (if any) trade schools that are every day household names like universities such as UGA, NYU, or Harvard. And to make things even more frustrating, typing "Respectable welding schools in Atlanta" in Google only sends me to tons of links leading to websites that blow my phone up with recruiters who are interested only in their commission from getting me to join and don't give me any helpful information. I've been toying with the idea of moving from Atlanta to North Carolina to live with my aunt and go to the one school that seems to be a decent fit (Wake Technical Community College) at the end of my lease in April. My biggest fear is going there and getting my degree and not being able to land a good job because the school is viewed by employers as third rate. This just recently occurred to me and I'm freaking out about it because the time is coming soon to make a decision. Can anybody please offer me some insight?
Reply:It doesn't matter if you went to God to learn welding.  You will be the new guy with -0- experience for several years and you will have the crappiest job in the shop and the lowest pay. It's the nature of the business. You with a certificate from a school versus some guy that can't read but has been welding for 15 years= you making less money than him.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaIt doesn't matter if you went to God to learn welding.  You will be the new guy with -0- experience for several years and you will have the crappiest job in the shop and the lowest pay. It's the nature of the business. You with a certificate from a school versus some guy that can't read but has been welding for 15 years= you making less money than him.
Reply:It doesnt really matter much about what school you went to. Find one close to home and after that its all about putting in the time and getting experience.It doesnt matter if you went to Harvard, or some comunity colage. You would still end up with the same position welding right after school.
Reply:So is school going to help get me ahead at all? At this point I'm 100% clueless about the industry. Should I even bother getting into it at all?
Reply:Originally Posted by MuccinoSo is school going to help get me ahead at all? At this point I'm 100% clueless about the industry. Should I even bother getting into it at all?
Reply:In Canada most of our training is done through regional colleges and although there is a tuition they are partially publically funded.  I would shy away from any privately run schools unless you are dead sure they are reputable like Hobart or the Lincoln School.  Look in your phone book and go to a local welding shop and without taking too much of the supervisor's time ask what they want in a welder coming to work for them and where to get training.  Most people in industry will be tickled pink to have a young person ask questions and take interest.   In my area a lot of the foreman and supervisors are on a first name basis with local welding instructors at the colleges.
Reply:I went into welding sales after getting a A.S. in welding and prior military "A" and "C" schools in electronics. I made better money my first year than the foreman at many shops after 15 years.The fun part was I got to play at every shop and learn the best and worst situations for many things.JanErik"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Abraham Lincoln
Reply:Check out the technical school in Griffin Ga they are supposed to have a good weld program and i believe it is an assosiates degree program. they have changed the in last couple years but it is same place. hope that helps