BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A WELDER

Honestly, all I care about is learning a trade that'll make me enough money to comfortably live on my own.

im 30. tried plumbing, machinist, culinary, criminal justice, audio production, warehouse, distribution, retail, grocery, animal care....and now im thinking of welding..i really dont know what to do anymore

I finished college debt free but I also want to learn trade. The degree is just for back up. I want to find a job that gets me working with my hands. I don't want to work at some boring office jobs counting spreadsheets.

This fella makes a lot of sense on this. I started training to be a welder in high school in 1983. I graduated with about 50 people and most of them didn't stick to it. I don't keep up with all of them but most of them stayed in the area. The moral here is that only about 6 of us still earn a living welding, and one of them just passed away last year.
To be a good welder takes dedication to the craft. It's not something you just learn to do then go. And honestly it doesn't matter what school you go to when you get out welding in the real world you'll realize school only taught you enough to get by. You don't truly become a welder until you have several years in the field.
After all these years in the field here's some questions I believe you should ask yourself before you make the decision to become a welder. First, I'm I willing to accept a craft where I'll be learning something new until the day I retire? Being a successful welder takes dedication to the craft. Second, I'm I willing to travel? because unless you've already got something local lined up the real money in welding is made traveling. Third, I'm I ok working in extreme heat or cold? Confined spaces, or heights? Getting burnt, shocked, soaking wet, filthy dirty, crawling, climbing,or kneeling. Fourth, and in my opinion the most important, How do you handle stress? If your quick to loose patience when things go wrong, or working conditions are inhospitable, trust me you don't want to be a welder. If your cool headed, you've got what it takes.
I'll be happy to answer any questions.

As a 17 year old going into my senior year while doing a welding program this has helped me greatly

"Make the plan first then learn the skill to apply your plan"

Couldn't be summed up any better. I will remember that when I encounter my next endeavor. God Bless

I appreciate you saying this. I’m at a crossroads in this year of my life, I want to achieve big things but I’ve been thinking it backwards. Thank you

When I first started welding school, I was so ignorant that I didn’t even know what welding was. I just knew it was decent money (and the best money I’ve ever made) for my family. I went to school to learn with an open mind. I didn’t know if I wanted to weld pipe, structural, or at a local fab shop, etc. I actually still don’t know what I like best, because I like doing them all so much now. I just simply want to work for the best job that can provide quality to me so I’m happy when I come home to my family. That’s what I’ve figured out after 2 years of welding so far. I still always question if I should stay or leave; but I’m never unhappy with where I came from.

This is the realest advice I've ever heard about choosing this skill set. Thank you for being honest and truthful.

Bruh learning welding was free in my Highschool. And a couple hundred at the community college.😂 I'm lucky to live in my city.

Just stumbled upon this video and just want to say that more people need to see this. It can be carried over to any profession not just welding, not enough people see the other side of what it really takes making the big dollars. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for this advice. I got into construction a few years ago and want to be skilled at this. I helped the framers, carpenters, painters, etc. But could only do so much with the welders. I want to help build in that area! I enjoy watching the buildings come together and knowing that I helped make that happen! I can also pretty much work anywhere and the pay will be better to support my family! Also, I enjoy the mentorship I get from those that have been in their areas of expertise for decades. I was very surprised at how many of them love to teach us newbies! I'm willing to learn! Thank you!

I've been considering welding school and I really appreciate your input on this. Some great food for thought

Before i even start the video or scroll through the comments, the fact you warned your audience about this not being about the welding career, or starting your own career is respectable. I'm subbing just for that. You are an honest man.

100% agree. Direct and on point explanation of the reality of the trade. I took a general apprenticeship in a welding shop that didn't cater to the actual welding that I wanted to do, subsequently creating wasted time that could have been spent learning the direct style of welding I wanted to partake in. Solid video.

Exactly. What I've found out in reality on these jobs, welding is technically only 10 percent of what you actually do. The other 90 percent, you must use your brain, you must know what your doing. You can weld nice all day, but if you dont know exactly what's going on, if your not producing fast enough, and someone is always having to tell you how to do this and that, the foreman will show you to the door, no explanation. I found that out the hard way coming out of welding school. Not to mention guys, the HEAT is nothing to play about. I'm in Houston Texas and boy I'm running to the fountain every 45 mins. Dont get me wrong, I love to weld and build things, the job did start me off at a decent amount to pay my Bill's, but I MUST apply that skill everyday meaning if I fail to do that, i cant feed my family. Just like what the man said in the video, welding just a SKILL. Oh, and one more thing, be prepared to meet some assholes. They will test you.

Very good video. Needed to hear it. I am working on a plan and have always had an interest in welding because, 1) it is a trade skill that if all else fails I'm more likely to at least have work and 2) I love building things and want to make that a major part of my career. Thank you for talking about this.

Well said WB. Also if going into a small welding business, like at home, be comfortable working alone. I love it myself. Now a retired welder, I use my skills in my hobby, customizing hotrod Harleys.Life is good in retirement, and welding trade has served me well.Keep up the videos.

May everyone find happiness and stability in life.

Im thinking of going into welding, im 21 and I want to explore new things and figure out what my career for life is. Exceptional video mate! God bless you

I saw a job listing for a rail yard, repairing rail cars. I love trains. That would be cool for a while.

My attraction to welding is because it's a useful skill to have in a lot of different walks of life. You can use it to repair just about anything, you can use it to design and fabricate things. For instance, I'd love to be able to design and craft furniture, both for myself, and potentially to create my own business out of it. There's a lot of utility in welding... and that's why it attracts me more than any other trade skill, I think.