Where to look (jobs) for new grads?

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Welder's girlfriend here. My boyfriend is set to graduate in June with a dual welding/machining certificate and we're already thinking about job opportunities for him. We're in a pretty small area population-wise but are more than willing to relocate for a decent job. He's going for every cert the program offers (he's checking on whether they offer tube welding certs, we don't think so) and is in classes 10-12 hours a day 4x a week (2 semester course, VERY intensive second semester).Anyway my question is this: what types of businesses should we look to for jobs? I know there are factory or maintenance welding jobs but he doesn't want to be stuck in a booth nor does he want something where he can't practice his chosen trade daily. We're aware he won't get his dream job off the bat and don't care so much about that, but with the market so tight we don't want to narrow our options either. I was thinking plumbing, electrical or other "non-welding" professions might be good to look into or at least query. We're just starting to get his resume updated (itll be better when he actually has his certs) and aren't quite sure where to start looking. Pay isn't as important as getting good experience, at least initially. Any thoughts of where to start? He's also considering UA, Boilermakers, Local 798 etc but can't seem to get them to respond to our inquiries.ETA: We live in a big ag community with dairies, fruit factories etc everywhere. There's a lot of places we can look but I was looking for suggestions of places one wouldn't normally consider welders to be necessary. Thanks for any advice!Last edited by ladyeclectic; 01-27-2011 at 11:07 AM.
Reply:Union Thread/Really though, Future jobs depend on what types of welding he can perform.What are his certifications going to be in?Judging by your post I'd assume his training is comprised of mig and stick within structural applications?And I highly recommend he get the pipe welding class if it's offered.Not always needed.But, it increases one's marketability so much more.Especially as a newbie.1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:He wants to take a tube-welding class but none is offered locally. He's going to test for several different certs within MIG, TIG, stick, and I think oxy-acetylene (20 total within those, 15 of which he really wants to get). He's especially keen on learning TIG as best he can and says they're learning to weld tubes the next half of the semester so he'll have a bit of experience. Right now we're looking for a good 220 welder so he can practice his TIG at home (he's already been going in an hour early and leaving as late as the teacher will let him to practice more). I'm pretty proud of his dedication, but I'd hate for him to get discouraged because he goes through this intense course and nobody still hires him.As for the unions, I know it's tough to get in and they're pretty swamped with their own trainees and members, but it'd be nice if at least one would reply back to emails or phone calls. We're going to visit a couple branches locally tomorrow as he is done with classes at noon.
Reply:It sounds as though your boyfriends skills would lend themselves well to a job shop type of environment doing general fabrication. He would get to apply his trade(s) everyday in that type of job and would only get better with time, probably get a lot of diversity in work as well. There are so many different industries that require welding and machining at one point or another it really comes down to what does he want to do, the career path he chooses to take. Figure out where you want to end up and pursue it until you get there. Does he want to be self employed some day? If so, he may want to find someone who is and go work for them to learn the ropes.
Reply:He does want to be self employed but isn't sure if that means owning his rig and contracting, or running a shop. He takes pride in what he does and wants to be, if not the best, HIS best. Believe me he isn't expecting to get a $150k/yr job off the bat but worries of getting "stuck" somewhere that doesn't teach him anything useful or worse, teaches him wrong. Typical new-to-a-profession worries maybe. I'm trying to teach him how to network (he's the solitary sort) as it seems essential in this line of work. It would be nice to have the guidance of a union to help him along but they seem pretty busy these days with current members. Are there any "clubs" or whatnot he can join to get contacts? He was thinking of joining the Masons for that reason (which has gone to the wayside since the business that's this last semester).Btw thanks for the replies, I know you get these questions every day. I looked into welding myself when my sister married a Canadian pipefitter (I took a class at the local college) but despite it being a blast it isn't for me. It led my boyfriend into pursuing it though so I can't complain. Last edited by ladyeclectic; 01-27-2011 at 12:47 PM.
Reply:Have him ask his welding instructors if they own shops and need  a helper or apprentice. If they the instructor doesn't have any positions available many times the instructor will have points of contact for shops looking to hire.  Big thing is get some actual hands on experience in a shop to fill in the experience block on his resume. You can also have him post something in the Links to How-To, Job Opportunities, Education and other resources forum!! But as you'll see in that forum there are many folks also looking for work but almost n one is posting that they are hiring.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:I will send you a PM.UA Local 598
Reply:Another avenue for him may be the Carpenter's union, we have welders too.  (And most of the carpenters can't weld..)  Sadly, work is really slow in the unions right now, most have a huge list of folks that are waiting for work.Also, go to the local Union's websites.  I know on the Mass Carp union website there are listings for some of the local's businesses.  Go and apply to those companies, it'll be the quickest way into the union.  Keep in mind though:  not too many of them are hiring at the moment, & they have to grab union guys first (before any new hires).Farms almost always need welding, he may need his own machine, but they are a good source of small projects.  (some need so much that they learn to weld themselves though..)Good luck!Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Silly question perhaps but I haven't been able to find the answer: if he joins a union and there's no work to be had, can he still work at a non-union facility?He has his electrical classes today but I'll tell him to ask about the helper positions from his professor. I'm also thinking of calling my sister and seeing if she can get my BIL in Canada (the pipefitter) to see if he knows of any jobs for new welders (or helpers) up there. My Dude would likely need a passport and work visa at least (plus the capital to get up there) but how viable is that option? The BIL worked the pipelines in Alberta for years before he married my sis and settled more around Saskatchawan, and is a networking guru so likely has contacts up there, but is it difficult/a good idea for an American newb to try his hand in the frozen north?Last edited by ladyeclectic; 01-28-2011 at 09:31 AM.
Reply:Hey ladye,From experience, & a career in welding/fabrication, I would highly recommend a welding/fab shop as the experience/knowledge base would definitely enhance a resume. Most welding/fab shops will do a multitude of operations & use a nice varying application of processes. I've worked in shops that produced pipe, sheetmetal jobs, structural, & had different materials, ie., steel, SS, & alum., & also used equipment such as lathes & mills that would also provide superb tangent skills. Each ability adds to the value of an employer & enhances an employees chances to get hired. Just some mental fodder to contemplate.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Has he thought about the Millwrights union?Miller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldingWookieHas he thought about the Millwrights union?
Reply:Hi lady, Jobs in Pittsburgh area are pretty good for new welders.  Sipple Steel in Ambridge,Pa. has been hiring, might be worth an inquiry.  Good Luck, Ralph
Reply:Tulsa,Okla, has openings for welders in oil industry and some openings in shop settings. do a search (google) for welding jobs in the area you would likeidealarc 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:living in the area that you do there should be a lot off small shops around supporting the ag industry. These shops are a lot of repair type work but would put both sides of  his trades to work. It would also keep him from being stuck in a both all day.It might be a good way to get a start and not be making the same welds day in and day out.
Reply:Keep in mind work is slow in general and there may be a chance of hiring but starting at the bottom is to be expected.  His ability to weld will move him along quickly versus someone with no skills. Being that he is in school he won't have the fit up and fabbing skills, those come with experience but would be what would hold him back. Companies to look into:Timec JacobsJV Ind.TankcoMatrixHMTCB&I Chicago Bridge and Iron  The companies work in the oil industry being involved with piping and or tank work.  There would be work in the S.F. Bay area and also through out the state with travel to be expected at times. With the first three companies it would be ideal to have pipe certs.