Geek Child #1 is interested in metalworking and welding as a career. Anyone know of any decent schools in southern PA? Closer to York and Gettysburg is preferred since he wouldn’t have to pay for housing but he is open to schools further away as well.
Also, any career advice for someone on this path?
He did learn some basic welding skills in high school and has done some work in a metal shop.
for some reason I can’t cut and paste in Firefox so no link but
look into Thaddeus Stevens College in Lancaster. Very reputable and he may get a little broader education that will serve him well in the trades.
Ferris State’s Welding Engineering Technology program. Yes, Michigan is another state, and yes, it’s an engineering technology degree and not an engineering degree, which makes it an excellent middle ground between being a tradesman and being an engineer. Actually quite a few of them go on to full engineering positions in various industries, working side-by-side with, say, Ohio State graduates (not a technology degree).
There’s a huge shortage of well-qualified welding people in North American (cite: me).
Take a look at AWS’ welding careers site, which has lots of other educational and training resources.
Edit: and of course, the AWS welding school locator.
Ask these guys:
I lurk there and it’s a good site with good members. Have him introduce himself and I am sure they will be more than helpful. A lot of them are self-employed, foreman, etc. so they will have insight into what schooling they are looking for in new hires. There are good job prospects in welding but it can be hard, hot and dirty work.
If he has any interest in machining, this is the place to hang out:
I am a machinist myself so I am partial to that kind of work and personally find it more fulfilling & challenging than welding. It depends a lot on the field of work and shop.
There should be good prospects in all the non-construction skilled trades in the next few years as guys retire. A young guy with a good head on his shoulders who is a self-starter and willing to learn life long will do well in any of the trades.
Advice:
-Overtime is great money wise but it can be hard on family life and marriages. Jobs with lots of traveling as well.
-Never budget overtime money. Use it for savings or fun money. It can be shut off in a heartbeat and there are always guys who suddenly can’t afford all their toys.
-Listen to the old timers and do it their way as you are learning. There is probably a reason they do things a certain way that might not be obvious right away. After you get some experience, then you can start evolving your own methods.
-The journeymen can be a tremendous resource. They will be more likely to show a young guy things if he is respectful, has a good work ethic, and shows an interest in the trade. If a young guy comes in thinking they know it all, is lazy, or sloppy, they will likely let him sink his own boat. That said some guys are a-holes and won’t show new guys anything out of fear of losing their jobs.
-Don’t be afraid to change jobs after you have learned all you can at the current one. There is an old shop saying: “You can’t be a journeyman until you have made the journey”. Every shop does a little different work and uses different methods.
-New guy gets the crap jobs. Pay your dues and you should move up. If the shop doesn’t advance you, it may be time to move on.
-Never stop learning. The internet is a wonderful resource. I have probably learned more from Practical Machinist than from training at work. There are a lot of different guys doing lots of work in different fields.