9781422273340

A college student learns how to weld pipes.

No trainingmethod is better than another. You just need to choose the best path for you based on your preferred learning style, how quickly you want to enter the profession, if you want to get paid while you learn by training via an apprenticeship or through the military, or you prefer to go to college and are ok with paying tuition, and other criteria. For example, Neil, who has worked as an underwater welder for seventeen years, chose the college route. “When I was in high school,” he recalls, “I was unsure what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to do something in engineering or the trades, but I didn’t know what field.” Neil’s momand dad suggested that he attend a two-year college and take classes in a variety of technical and scientific areas to explore his interests. “I ended up taking an introduction to welding class and became fascinated by the process of welding,” Neil says. “Welding seemed like an appealing combination of technical skill and a kind of art.” Neil became intrigued by underwater welding after seeing a presentation by someone in the field. “I was always a good swimmer and enjoyed the outdoors, so this type of welding career appealed to me,” he recalls. “The fact that underwater welders can earn $100,000 to $200,000 a year also sparked my interest!”

The World of Welding

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