Off and on lurker finally registered

[secretcitizen]

Hello W.W. I have been a lurker of the site for around a year or less.
I am currently a Industrial Heat treater looking to make a change for the better.
I have been doing heat treating for about 5 years now and man am I getting burned out on it.
I have been throwing around idea on how to get into welding as a profession> I live in Nederland, Tx so work shouldn't be a problem, just the pay cut.
FYI Nederland is about 5 miles from Motiva PAR.

I am looking to WORK towards tig (GTAW), well because it is highest pay, I'm not going to lie. Why sell myself short?

I have a few questions for you current pros, should I:
-take a crash course welding school(local one is $3600)
-take a huge pay cut and become a helper and work from there


Oh and I only own a lincoln buzzbox that I have been messing about with for a couple of weeks.


Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and have a great new year.

[specter]

Hi Ya secretcitizen and Welcome to the Welding Web Family. We are always glad to see longtime lurkers come in from the cold and join up. No One should ever sell themselves short! Best place to ask your questions would be the General Welding Questions forum. But my immediate response to your questions would be

welding courses never hurt plus you get the hands on training with various welding equipment that you might not get on your own or in a speciality shop. While in the school as the teacher/instructor if they also own a shop! By asking you let your instructor know your serious about welding as a career. Your instructor may take you under their wing and into their shop giving you that actual shop experience you would need on a resume. Your instructor most likey has connections (aka friends & other shops) he can refer you to. I have seen future welders go so far as to check out welding school prices then offer local welding shops half or more of the school cost to take them in an personally train them (a bonus for the shop in addition money income and of course a free shop helper).

[secretcitizen]

Thanks specter, that is a great idea.

[specter]

glad to help

tom

[longevity-inc.com]

Welcome secretcitizen,

Welcome to the forum,

This is a great place to have your questions answered and help others.

Best,