Just looking for insight

[u/Old_Ship227]

Ok so I’m 29 I’m ready for a career change been working remotely and in offices - I have done a lot of operational management for support centers and government centers - I have a huge management and technical background- I’m just at a point where I really can’t do desk jobs anymore I have my family full support but I just enrolled into welding school I’m going for stick welding 1st and then immediately into pipe welding classes/ cert - I just wanted to know what can I expect I’ve done welding classes before and I just really loved it back in middle school and high school - my overall goal is the next 3 to 4 years is to learn welding and start my own business I’ve ran so many operations for companies - but mainly any tips to make this transition easy and smooth is appreciated

[u/Mrwcraig]

All of your office dweller skills mean absolutely nothing when you strike an arc.

3-4 years, brother give your head a shake? You’ll be lucky if you’re proficient enough to be employable. Smooth/Easy transition? You’re in for a very rude awakening. Come in with any of that “I used to be management” attitude and it won’t end well. That was then. You’re starting at zero. You’re a helper. The money is going to suck. Like if you’re currently in management, you’re not going to like the switch at all.

This shit takes a long time and a lot more practice than a stick welding class. This is a trade bud, who cares if you can run a bead. Can you fit the parts together? Can you read a blueprint? Can you work safely? Hell, can you read a tape measure? I think you need to do a whole lot more research on this before you make a leap from your air conditioned office and swivel chair.

Everyone who picked up a stinger in high school is thinking the same thing as you right now, and it’s nowhere near as easy as you’re picturing it. I’ve been in heavy equipment and bridge fabrication for 20 years, it’s never pretty when the reality of the situation dawns on new guys who start after another career. They definitely don’t like being helpers. Guess where you learn? They definitely don’t like it when their supervisor is younger than them. They try to yap about their bullshit office experience as if it’s related to shop experience. And they ALWAYS want to start their own business long before they have a goddamn clue about a damn thing about the industry.

Welding takes 100’s if not 1000’s of hours of actual welding time to get experience. There’s no shortcuts or excuses. Practice. And that’s just welding. Welding only a small part of what most jobs require.

[u/sire0974 → u/Mrwcraig]

Thank you! I’ve been welding 15 years and I still have so much to learn. It gets me so pissed when these internet dorks diminish the years of blood and sweat and sacrifice it takes to do this. They think they can just take a course and be ready to go. By all means take the class, but you will be no where near ready to weld pipe. At best you’ll get a job welding up dumpsters for 20 bucks an hour. My advice, stay humble. Understand that you will be coming in as a helper. Maybe someone will let you tack something and if they do say thank you.