Education - College vs Private vs Self Taught

[smithdoor]

The key word is education.
Whether you get from school or a books.
There are lot of rod burners how can lay a good bead but did not learn mush else in school or try reading a book..

Dave

Read books, look at pictures, and ultimately you go and watch how someone else does it.

[smithdoor]

The education is the important part of being a good welder.

I have interviewed a lot of welders with cert. I would ask them what rod they like using there answer was E70S-3. I ask about welding symbols most did not answer the few that did would get a paper out wallet with welding symbols.
All the had education from high school most was JR college

Dave

Personally I'd suggest the following.

1 - Associates degree in business. College will help you learn how to find the answers, and provide a basic foundation in economics, accounting and business principles. A minor in liberal arts will help you become a better person, and the history of the world.
2 - Trade school to learn the craft of welding. Get certified. It's very difficult to become certified is you are self taught. A good school will help.
3 - Continuing education as self-taught.

[California]

The education is the important part of being a good welder.

I have interviewed a lot of welders with cert. I would ask them what rod they like using there answer was E70S-3. I ask about welding symbols most did not answer the few that did would get a paper out wallet with welding symbols.
All the had education from high school most was JR college

Dave

Simplest definition of a PhD, doctorate, I've ever heard: And it also applies to many specialties: "He not only has heard every theory that applies to his specialty. He also can explain to you which of those theories are correct and which are wrong".

That kind of knowledge is miles above tradesman-level education.

[smithdoor]

A PhD is to get go paying job.
A tradesman should be educated too.
But who is going fix your plumbing issues.

Dave

Simplest definition of a PhD, doctorate, I've ever heard: And it also applies to many specialties: "He not only has heard every theory that applies to his specialty. He also can explain to you which of those theories are correct and which are wrong".

That kind of knowledge is miles above tradesman-level education.

[smithdoor]

Just think of Microsoft and Apple.
Bill G and Steve S. did not have a Degree. But both are highly educated in computers.
Basically if doing the you need to be educated in the line of work either school or book

Dave

Simplest definition of a PhD, doctorate, I've ever heard: And it also applies to many specialties: "He not only has heard every theory that applies to his specialty. He also can explain to you which of those theories are correct and which are wrong".

That kind of knowledge is miles above tradesman-level education.

[Lucaskook]

I am the man who learned everything independently.

[smithdoor]

I can just see Bill Gates going to a college to learn how to use Windows .

O he is a college drop out too.

Dave

I am the man who learned everything independently.

[Lucaskook]

The main thing is to know what to learn if you're bad at studying better in college. But if you're confident in its powers it's best to take independent courses (any field), because you'll only get the information you really need and nothing extra. When I was doing welding courses I turned to the internet several times and I liked this service the most:***spam link removed***, where I found a guide for students on how to write a dialectical essay and I was developing independently. If I needed help I used to turn to them and I had all the information I needed, that's how I ended up with a book on welding where you can learn everything from A to Z.

[Sberry]

I spose its true, you learn other stuff at college like etiquette,,, different than learning on Ironwork job.

[smithdoor]

I do agree.
Most do not read books and a classroom works the best for most.
Even most classroom do not teach any type drafting witch very helpful in laying out large jobs.
But schools are interested in just welding.

Dave

I spose its true, you learn other stuff at college like etiquette,,, different than learning on Ironwork job.

[123weld]

instead, i think they can just get one of those loans, that u dont have to pay back (free)

[smithdoor]

That is good save money 💰 on something that most people depend on a good weld like Bridges and Buildings.
No money or scholarship just a back braking loan for lifetime.

I went college by being a iron worker.
No loads to drag me down for life no scholarship.

Dave

What loans?

[smithdoor]

I 👍 agree

Dave

instead, i think they can just get one of those loans, that u dont have to pay back (free)

[smithdoor]

I hope here home is paid off and car is too or she will on feet again and back to GREEN living in Great out doors.
She made a decision and to late unless it is a credit card.

Dave

It's right, the coworker of my mother took a big loan for her child to study at a prestigious university and now she is fired from work, she just doesn't know what to do

[123weld]

im sorry to hear that. sometimes the boss has favorites, and fires the good one, to give there favorite the position - not fair. did she report it to HR ?

[metalmelter2021]

I’ve read one book on welding [Welding For Dummies] by a cerified welding instructor named Farnesworth, and purchased another book entitled [Farm and Workshop Welding] by Andrew Pearce. Although I have learned a lot from that book, and many welding Videos on Youtube, like IC Welds, Tim Welds, Welding Web, and numerous others, I still decided to sign up for a welding course at the Technical College begining Aug. 10th, and believe that there are some things one can learn best from hands on instruction. Even at 68 years old, and welding already for 10 months on my own, I think the investment in a welding course will give me a foundation on the correct way to do things, and an understanding of metals and processes, that it would take me years to get on my own. I’m serious about wanting to do things that are structurally sound, and would pass any inspector’s scrutiny. Plus, certifications are available if I want to pursue them! Money well spent in my opinion!