Welding Academy? Community College? Or...Learn On Your Own?

Figuring out what you want to be when you grow up can be mysterious and challenging-I hope my experiences dealing with those mysteries can help other people who are in a similar situation.

[@denttech2515]

Thanks for your service. Genuine. Music, and all. Thanks

[@Christopherbever]

I left my career as a PTA to work for my uncle as an equipment mechanic, I love diagnosing machines, hydraulics, electrical etc… but a few times a week I get to weld repair and man do I absolutely love it… I took a stick class a decade ago at a CC, and now I’m thinking about picking up tig and trying to get more into the welding industry long term. Thanks for the advice!

[@prestonrichardson2547]

Great idea to make this video and share the knowledge, Sir. This great country was built by blue collar men like welders, bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, etc. There's still plenty of good paying blue collar jobs like this for the generation coming up. College isn't for everyone so it's wonderful to know people can raise a family with skills like this.😊

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

Great comment, Preston. I try to remind guys about all that whenever I get the opportunity.

[@ColoradoSpringsAHA]

College schmollege. Bring back the apprenticeships. Always enjoy watching you, my friend.

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

Thanks Jeff. I love the IDEA of college, it's just the reality that I hate, lol. Just kidding...kind of...well, maybe not. But seriously, how many did you and I serve with who had college degrees, sometimes graduate ones, yet were complete imbeciles?

[@ebinmaine]

We got into vintage Wheelhorse Garden Tractors several years ago.. Because of and alongside that the implements and attachments, and many other pieces of vintage tools or equipment. I decided it was time to learn to weld. I have no desire to be anything other than a halfway reasonable hobby welder. I never took a formal class. Watched literal dozens or hundreds of KZbin videos over the years. Also got some great verbal or written instruction from professional welders. The real key is.... burning rods. To learn to weld, you have to weld. Period. Eventually I got two pieces of metal to stick together. Likelihood is I'll always need to spend some time grinding out to fix my errors. I'm very OK with that. I appreciate you taking the time to edit and post this. Great info for others. And yes...... those damn bloopers too. 😅

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

Haha, yeah, I remember talking to other students when I was there, I'd say "You know the best way to learn how to weld? Welding!" Shocking concept, I know. Regarding your getting two pieces of metal to stick together, and grinding to fix the errors, like I mentioned in the video, for the love of God do not look at the welds on my weld cart lol! And just like any welder, whether they admit it or not, I still have those moments and days where I just can't seem to weld for whatever reason, and out comes the grinder. I'm happy you like the bloopers, maybe I should put them up front, because I don't think most people who watch the video get to the end to see them.

[@ebinmaine]

@TheCreativeSpark-4AD Up front bloopers would be neat IMHO. Good entry. Bring out a little positive energy.

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

@@ebinmaine I might just do this based on your comment alone.

[@ebinmaine]

@@TheCreativeSpark-4AD HA! Best not listen to me. I've never proven to be all that bright. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@musicroom5238]

This is amazing advice for welding and life!

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

You are too kind. For those of you who don't know who "musicroom5238" is (and I didn't either at first), he's a former commander from my Army days, retired Lt. Col. Tod Addison. He was one of those extremely rare guys who actually made the environment better for everyone around him.

[@chriserickson4417]

You get out of it, what you put into it.

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

Yep. It seems obvious and trite to say it, but judging by the amount of people who were content to do mostly nothing all day while I was at welding school and elsewhere, it's not all that obvious and trite after all.

[@Justjackson7]

I feel like trades should be on the job training honestly everything should be hands on stuff you learn in college might never use on the job because they teach you there way of how they want it to be done

[@TheCreativeSpark-4AD]

I agree with you in theory. I will say that apprenticeships aren't what they used to be, at least in my experience. I worked at a shipyard that had a four-year (mandated by the government for some reason) apprenticeship program. Before I got into this industry, I would have been excited at the prospect of how much skill I could acquire over four years of practicing. But my observation was that, with rare exceptions, most of those apprentices were sub-par welders with sub-par work ethics. I hate to say it that plainly, but there's nothing to be gained by denying reality. I think it's because the apprentices were seduced by the typical shipyard mentality, which is to do as little as possible throughout the day. Talk about four years squandered.