a couple of welders I know learned their trade in the navy
Ya,Im thinking about doing something military if I get out of school and cant find a job for myself...but I highly doubt that will happen.
if you are gonna go to school for welding, i would try very hard to get your pressure vessel welding certification
in my job, i deal with alot of pipefitters and boilermakers. if you want to make money as a welder, pressure vessel welding is the way to go. especially x-ray welding. high pressure stuff.
Hmmmm,ill have to looking into pressure welding...any job welding like that would be one badass job.
I've been a welder in the oil/chemical industry since 1989. Currently pipe certified in mig/tig/stick for carbon/ss/inconel/monel/chrome . I've never had any formal education for it. I started off as a pipe fitter. My first employer would let us weld as long as we kept our welders fitted up and busy. Many welders will show you the tricks of the trade as it helps them down the road. It's VERY HARD for new welders out of school to make any real money. Most employers that hire new welders are like waste management/RR companies. Basically you'll be fixing up dumpsters/rail cars for a year or two making $8-$12 an hour until you get more comfortable in the field. But they will never pay more than that even if your there for 20 years. I would personally try to get in with a local UA pipe fitters union if i were you. A 5 year apprenticeship and they will teach you to weld.
A good code welder up here in the NE working the refineries can make 100-150K a year if you like OT. From what I've seen so far in central florida $17-$20 an hour is about the max and they want every cert under the sun for that much money.
I'd be happy to help you out more if you need any more info.
Thanks for the info...
Im not sure if I want to head the union route, I know there is alot more money made in non-union if you can get the job.
Personally, I have never touched a welder but know I would love it.
I would take any job that would get me experience at first, I think that going to school for atleast a year and after I graduate there getting a apprentice job in a non-union would make me better off.
As far as once I get my certification, I would be open eyes to anything from a fab shop,gas/oil,underwater welding to heavy machinery.
I wanted to see your opinion on it and what is required to get your certification in mig/tig/stick?
No matter what you decide to do,do your best at it and take pride in what you do. I am in the drywall business and heve been for well over 20 years now. I metal frame,hang ,finish,texture and do accoustic cielings. I always strived to do better than the next guy,and not be out done.Right now most people inmy business are in a lot of trouble and I can't keep up with my work,or take much time off for hunting. Remember there are 100 Mexicans waiting to take your work no matter what you choose to do,and they will do it cheaper. Quality goes a long way.
I have college layed out in front of me,but it is not what I want.
Im a hard worker and I will strive to be the better than my competition.
When I work 40 hours a week its still not as much as I like.
Im looking forward to working overtime and I will work harder than all of those mexicans, thats for sure.
Btw,its good to hear your doing well skunk ape.
