Career shift, Weld school

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Hey all.  I wanted to get the opinion of some people in the welding field.  I graduated from college several years back with an electrical engineering degree.  I don't really feel like going into all the details but while I have the degree EE is not anything I want to do or really am comfortable doing (short of the story is I had a bad college experience and didn't necessarily learn all I should have with EE).Fast forward to today.  I had a good job for several years out of college but it ended up falling out and for the last couple years I've been working various odd jobs (retail, food service, temp agencies, etc.) while looking for better work.  I've also been slowly coming to the realization that while office jobs can be nice, I don't always care for pure office work.  I've considered learning welding, and the thought keeps coming and going, recycling through my mind.  I haven't done any manual welding, though I worked as a machine operator running automatic welders one summer in college, so I am not completely unfamiliar with the work (nearly am though )I've looked up Hobart's weld school and I did try contacting a local community college (they never bothered replying which makes me not want to deal with them).  The community college isn't a great option from what little I saw, because of my odd jobs my work schedule doesn't mesh with their program.  Also, I like learning things in depth with I think Hobart would be better for than a two night a week for like 3-4 month community college program.Here's the rub that makes me hesitate.  I still have over $10k in college loans from my undergrad work and Hobart would likely require at least another $20k to graduate from their longer program and I am not sure if the employment post school would be worth the debt I'd be shouldering coming out.Any thoughts?  Oh and sorry for the book, I meant this to be relatively short, but what can I say?
Reply:I hate to say this, but your best bet to find out if this is really something you want to do will be the CC if they have any welding classes.You should REALLY make sure this is something you want to do with a 300 dollar class as opposed to a 20,000 dollar class.Also what is your location?JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:you may want to use the search feature !!!!!! this topic as been talked about at least once a month or morethe GOLDEN job right out of school is slim ,,,(((most want a weldor with 3-5 yrs,, not saying you can't get that first jobbut if you try the vo-tech or CC you may be monies ahead  if it turns out you don't like this type of workidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I have to agree with joebie.I schooled a CC and had a huge advantage that my father was an EE. I grew up around electronics. It has helped immensely as a weldor and small business owner. Arc weldling theory is something that you should nail easily.So I think you are right on if welding is the direction you want to pursue. Not that Hobart is not a bad school, I just think if you are bright enough, you can reach the same goals at a CC.Good LuckWeld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:if I were going to spend 20,000 on education I would expect it to lead to a job that paid 40,000.  If that's a realistic possibility after the Hobart school go for it.  If not I would look for  a CC type situation.  Might be worth it to move to a place that has a good program.
Reply:EE-grad, I hear where you are coming from. I'm not in the welding field yet (short story is I have a PhD in the sciences but things were the never the same after a motorcycle accident left me with a need to "change direction"). Like those above, I think your best first step in the CC route. See what processes interest you, get your feet wet, etc.If you feel you have a strong interest, you might consider a trade school. Call your state's employment department for leads. The vocational program I just graduated from wasn't cheap but wasn't $20K either. It cost me about $3K all things said and done and ran about 500 hours. The upside is you get LOTS of "hood time" and virtually unlimited materials. I burnt many miles of wire. There's also very little "academic" stuff. But that's a downside too. There, the emphasis is placed on not becoming a "weldor" but learning just enough to deposit metal good enough to pass a practical cert. So I can now produce xray quality welds joining heavy plate under some structural code (D1.1) in all positions but can't weld worth a crap when it comes to actually "making stuff" for myself. Guess that comes later Rome wasn't built in a day.Good luck you you!XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:what about an apprenticeship?
Reply:If your state has something like Georgias Hope Grant for Comm. Colleges then you may be able to get it done for little out of pocket for tuition. I used up my Hope Grant finishing up Machine Tool Technology (hobby, imagine that). We have an outstanding welding program here as well as machine shop. Dont count the Comm. Colleges short, lots of good welders and many other occupations comeout of them. I figure one of these days I may figure out exactly what I want to do. Currently working on a degree in Business Admin. I have been in EMS for 13 years. I am a Paramedic and got all three levels EMT-B, EMT-I, and Paramedic at a local Comm. College.Last edited by bhardy501; 11-11-2011 at 09:26 PM.
Reply:I own my own business (Autoglass) and have recently took a night welding course at a local vocational school.  I've never welded before, but I love to fabricate things and thought this would be a good choice for a new career incase my business goes south.After being in school and welding non stop for 3 hours each night, I've realized this is something I would love to do as a side job or hobby but I would not want to weld all day long out in the elements!!   It was nice to figure that out because before I knew, I was ready to "Be a Welder".
Reply:Illinois has hope, and I think it was only 1800 for me. Max.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Originally Posted by CGCINCI own my own business (Autoglass) and have recently took a night welding course at a local vocational school.  I've never welded before, but I love to fabricate things and thought this would be a good choice for a new career incase my business goes south.After being in school and welding non stop for 3 hours each night, I've realized this is something I would love to do as a side job or hobby but I would not want to weld all day long out in the elements!!   It was nice to figure that out because before I knew, I was ready to "Be a Welder".
Reply:Originally Posted by EE-grad...Hobart would likely require at least another $20k to graduate from their longer program and I am not sure if the employment post school would be worth the debt I'd be shouldering coming out..