Welders, Tradesmen--Career Advice?

[derfargin]

Understandable, you have to me somewhat interested in it otherwise learning it is a pain in the ass. My brother is a programmer and loves it. It takes a certain kind of person that likes staring at code for long periods of time. I for one, am not one of those people.
As for not being able to type, don't let that stop you, if you're interested. About 90% of people I work with in this industry DONT know how to "formally" type correctly, but they still get the job done quite well.

 

[fnord]

Elbert:
I've got a B.A. in History as well and almost minored in English. And, Lord, I wouldn't trade that degree for anything in the world. (I'll always be one of the most interesting people you'll ever meet. As are you, I'm sure.)
I've been fortunate to make a good living for my family is sales - mostly IT - but if I didn't have that gift I'd have opted for a trade.
You've received some world class advice on this thread, hoss. There will be a place in this world for welders for years to come. And electricians. And plumbers. Always.
Elbert, I do a lot of work with the Boy Scouts. One of my favorite kiddos just graduated from high school and is knocking back 50K a year as a refrigeration tech. Maybe a street corner dope dealer can do that much but at what price?
Pick your field. Grab a fucking root and growl. And don't be afraid to improve yourself and your skill set at every available opportunity. (Fortune will always favor the bold, remember?) You're going to be fine, bub.
Fnord

 

[skraps]

Derfargin said:

As for not being able to type, don't let that stop you, if you're interested. About 90% of people I work with in this industry DONT know how to "formally" type correctly, but they still get the job done quite well.

I would agree 100% I spent a good portion of my life as a tradesman, concrete finisher. It was a good job, I loved it and it was a family tradition. I got paid well and worked for a small company that took good care of me. I'm an IT consultant now...
I got a break, an opportunity came along and I jumped on it. I always was interested in computers and technology, but certainly was no Bill Gates. I learned a lot in the first year, and made myself a valuable asset.
The point I'm trying to make is... I'm sure at the moment you do not have the knowledge to weld on the level of being a tradesman... so what's the different between that and computers? You don't just snap your fingers and gain the knowledge you want. You seek it out. While I'm an advocate of knowing a trade, I'm also an advocate of evaluating the future and pursing what is best in the long run. Computers and technology are not going anywhere. All one has to do is look around to see that. There is a growing need for people who can operate, repair and install all that infrastructure.
Just some food for thought.

 

[bigpond]

Since September we've added three new coders at 80k base. None had a comp sci degree but all were fresh out of a coding program. If you're going to go through trade school pick one that appeals and has longevity. Don't sweat the debt you'll get it back on back end. If you don't have a college degree, get that sorted first. You're young enough and it will alter the course of the rest of your life. Last point, consider moving to where the jobs are.

 

[elbert]

The IT guys here are making some compelling arguments. I'm still not planning on more formal education until next fall (when I have a bigger financial cushion), but there's no reason I can't have several irons in the fire. And I can start brushing up on computer literacy and learning coding immediately.

 

[mrbigglesworth]

I feel you. I, too, went back to college and got a degree in, wait for it... photojournalism! :rofl: Talk about low paying and no jobs. I am employed as a photographer at a university now, and I enjoy it. But I'm scared to death I'll be out of work and never find anything else again. I was unemployed and floating around between jobs for about 5 years myself.
But here's the thing. Education is never wasted. At least you have invested something in yourself, even if no one else seems to think it's worth much. That's something you can always be proud of doing.
My father has been a welder all is life. He just retired from Freightliner a few years ago. He never made a ton of money, but we always had enough. And he loved what he did. And now he does projects on the side just for fun. He makes a little side money to pay for his equipment, but mostly he'd rather just help people out and make them happy. I'm very proud of him.
Right before Thanksgiving he made this to give to a charity auction:

 

[prairiedruid]

I was a sheet metal worker for over 15 years and I went on to teach welding at a local high school. Prospects are great for welders. The welder workforce is an aging one so more openings are foreseen in the future. Welding can be physically demanding dirty work but technology has made this a lot better. Machine welding is growing for mass production industries but there will always be a need for skilled welders to go where machines can't or for repair and small run work that isn't feasible for machine welding. The biggest trick to learning how to weld is practice, practice, practice. Learning how the different types of welding work with different metals you can read in a book but it is when you are actually applying that book knowledge is where you learn and develop muscle memory, wrist angles and pace to your work that will make you a successful welder. Quite a few community colleges offer welding courses and certification. Good Luck.

 

[dochudson]

A Bachelor of the Arts with a double-major in History and English. Mistake number 3!

Our DBA had a master's music.. it isn't the actual degree as much as knowing you have the smarts and drive to get it and are educatiabile.
Welding is a fine profession.. But, heavy dirty work. Usually very hot or very cold.
The military would be glad to teach you welding and provide you resume with solid experience.

 

[davet]

Personally I would not want to be a welder in the jobs that I work on. Welding a patch or pipe in a vessel or tank that I've preheated to 350-450f doesn't appeal to me. It can be hot/cold dirty work but some love it. There are many other related trades that pay stupid amounts of money and I can't state enough the pensions are very good.

 

[daveinlax]

I see most skilled trades pay trending down. Factory welders and fabricators around here make what guys made 20 years ago plus your paying a larger chunk of your benefits. The big Union money probably means travel. I'm in the operators and have worked around UA pipeline and Boilermaker welders and when they're working they get paid well but it's a hard life and like us they get old quick. I wouldn't give up on a degree to weld I'd rather teach english overseas than staring at a bead all day. 8O

 

[davet]

it's a hard life and like us they get old quick

+1, there's no arguing that, it's something I wish I had got into younger, made my money and would be ready to retire now. I'm ready to retire now, just without the cash :mrgreen:

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I have a relative who is a welder and I have to say, it is a tough profession that sure does take a toll on the body, as others have mentioned. Personally, I think you should look to see what else is out there in terms of trades. I know a few electricians and a few IT folks and they all seem to be doing pretty well without looking 15 years older than they actually are.
I recall when I was in high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do for a career. My Dad got me a job one summer doing manual labor. It was all I could do to get up every moment and go to work - that's how much I hated it. It was then I decided that I needed to get my shit together and get an education so I didn't have to work a job like that ever again, which is precisely what my father was hoping for.
As a father of two young sons, conversations like this do make me wonder to what degree, if at all, I should be pushing them in a certain direction in terms of education and choosing a future career. I have already set aside the cash to pay for 4 years of university for each, but I want to make sure they are truly committed to it before I sign the cheques, and if they want to do something else -- like pursue a trade -- then I would be fine with that as well. I personally loved university (all 8.5 years of it) and wouldn't trade that experience for anything, but I guess I have to realize that they may have different dreams, hopes and aspirations than I had for myself, and just hope that they make the decision that is right for them, whatever it may turn out to be. The last thing I want is two 30 year old sons living in my basement when I'm retired.

 

[warren]

Not looking forward to sharing what's in that barn are you peck?

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Not looking forward to sharing what's in that barn are you peck?

Damn straight.

 

[elbert]

As a father of two young sons, conversations like this do make me wonder to what degree, if at all, I should be pushing them in a certain direction in terms of education and choosing a future career.

I think about that a lot. On my end I don't know what the right answer is--but my opinion is that no one should leave college without a clear, marketable skill. Something you can instantly 'sell' to an employer--and I don't mean something vague like "critical thinking skills".
Certification means more than qualification when you're looking for a job.

 

[mustanggt]

I failed to say in my earlier post what trade we steered our son to. Electrician. If you aren't a computer geek give them what they need most, electrons!!!

 

[aggravatedfarmer]

My buddy is a union welder. Makes pretty good money and doesn't really busy his ass. If you get in with the union it can be easy street. Though he's earned it after working real long hours and bad hours welding. It's a good living after a few years of work.
Just don't become a farmer if you want lots of money when you are alive.

 

[bigpond]

Which of these two careers can not be outsourced or done by robot?
a) welder

b)plumber

 

[warren]

Neither one at times. Probably both on certain assembly lines.
All I know is that if you are a great welder or plumber you'll get job offers, pick your jobs and work as much as you want. If you are run of the mill, you'll still work, just on other people's terms. I know a couple of operating engineers who who are much sought after. I'm acquainted with a welder who is close to making more money with "artsy fartsy" stuff and will soon leave the union for his own studio. It all depends on your work ethic, abilities, and what you want your future to be.
An old electrician acquaintance has stores in three cities in Alaska, makes very good money and now has to work harder and longer because he has employees depending on him. Still, he owns a nice boat and spends a good part of the winter in Hawaii. He'll leave a nice little operation for his kids to run into the ground.

 

[ssjones]

One of my best friends just retired from our local prison system as a Steam-fitter. He apprenticed 35 years ago, at a Kelly Tire plant, which closed in the 80's and moved to running the heating system at our local prison complex (3 Maryland State prisons). The guy who replaced him is 60 years old and they have no younger back-up for when this fellow retires. Who learns steam-fitting these days? Most hospitals, institutions, etc. still need this skill job.