Welding career

admin

Hello, my name is Ian. I'm 19 years old and live in Columbus Ohio. I went to Columbus State Community College with an interest in Network Management as my major. The computer path wasn't the right choice, I struggled on almost every lab and homework assignment. Spring quarter came and I made the decision to switch to a welding class. I had been exposed to welding during my senior year in high school and really enjoyed it.That's what has happened.I would like to make a career out of welding. Where should I start? I've been told to get an associates degree to open up different employment options in the future.What do you guys recommend? What would you do differently if you could go back in time and with a clean slate?Thanks in advance for your time and input.
Reply:If I had to do it all over again, I'd definately apply myself more in college. I went, left and then went back to finsh. Not an easy thing to do. There are a few opertunities I passed up on thru the years I'd probably take now that I look back at it thru the lens of time....A few things to think about for what it's worth. Most companies don't advance from the shop floor to management any longer. If you want to move up you'd better have the education, even if it's not exactly the field you are moving thru. 2 guys both with the same knolege and skills, one with a highschool diploma and one with a college degree in just about anything, the guy with the degree is most likely to get the job. A degree in the field you are working in or even a related field, say engineering, or business will help.If you  want to work for yourself, it's a bit different. Here it is possible to learn and advance up thru the shop, then either start your own business, or buy/take over an existing one and do well. The issue here is that while many can do the work, most can't run a business and it doesn't work out.3rd option would be a union, especially in strong union states, but with the drop in the ecconomy, getting in will no be easy unless you know someone.All these options work for some and not others. What fits you may not fit me. I often look back at an opertunity I had years ago to get into a union and passed because it wasn't what I though was for me. Today I regret that somewhat. I had another opertunity to become an inspector with my collge degree and my time in the field working my way thru school. They actually came to me and offered me the job after finding out how much education I had and what I was doing on the site. Again at that time I was making too much cash to see the long term picture and passed. Today I run my own business. In many ways the business end is the hardest part. I hate the paperwork and estimates, but like doing the jobs. It was better before the crash when it was more a PT thing and mostly I worked for others. To me, a computer background and welding says robotics and CNC. A piece of paper may just be a big thing when looking for a job. Even if you never need to use those computer skills, they may set you apart from 100 others with a welding background of some sort. Think about all of this and see what you think might be best in the long run..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:It's alot easier to get school over with at this point of your life. I say go for at least your associates, maybe a bachelors, any degree is better than no degree.  Trying to work full time, and do online courses later in life stinks (in my personal experience)
Reply:Get you an associate degree in welding with emphasis on metalurgy.  Then get your AWS CWI and go directly into welding inspection.Try to get in with a reputable company where you can pick up SNT-TC-1A Level II in PT, MT and UT and you can travel anywhere in the world while you're young and pull in low to mid 100K a year at minimum.
Reply:Considering that the site gets these posts every week almost it might be an idea to make a sticky thread for faq's about schools to attend and paths to consider in regards to welding technologies.
Reply:You live near one of the two universities that offer a Weld Engineering Degree in the country. The Ohio State University and LeTourneau University, in Texas, are the only two degrees that the N.A.S.A. recognizes as a real Weld Engineering degree.I work with the N.A.S.A. welding engineers and contractor  engineersevery day and they are sharp. Check it out.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Hey guys, I really appreciate the advise. This means a lot to me.