The Welding Decisions That Will Transform Your Career FOREVER!

In this episode, we delve into the critical decisions that can shape a welder's career. From choosing between local and traveling work to deciding on self-employment or working for a contractor, we explore the pros and cons of each option.
Key Insights:
1. Local vs. Traveling Work: Local work can provide stability and routine, while traveling work often offers higher pay and the chance to network and explore different locations.
2. Self-Employment vs. Working for a Contractor: Self-employment offers freedom and flexibility, but it also requires managing your own taxes and insurance. Working for a contractor can provide benefits and tax withholding but less autonomy.
3. Maintenance vs. Outage Work: Maintenance work can offer a more stable schedule, while outage work can provide higher pay and the opportunity to work with various companies.
4. Structural vs. Pipe Welding: Structural welding offers opportunities in construction and manufacturing, while pipe welding can make you more versatile and employable by more companies.
5. Carbon Steel vs. Stainless Steel and Alloys: Each material requires different skills and techniques, and being versatile in both can make you a highly skilled and desirable employee.
Remember, the choices you make early in your career can significantly impact your future in the welding industry. Tune in to learn more about these decisions and how to navigate them for a successful welding career.
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[@SeldomFales]

Here is my story as it pertains to your 1st subject. I started as an apprentice plumber/fitter for Local 85 in the mid-60’s. After about 1 year I could see where that when work went slack locally I was going to have to travel. As being married, starting a family, &building a house I decided I didn’t want to go on the road. I applied to work at Dow Chemical which is a hometown company and got hired. Within just a few years I earned 2 journeyman cards (journeyman welder & journeyman pipe fabricator) I was ASME qualified in all materials & welding processes used in Dow. Later, my career as a tradesman was recognized by the head of the Welding Engineering Dept and I was offered a job as a Non-Degreed Welding Engr! I have always been extremely grateful that I chose to stay local and not travel! Since many of the men I worked with from Local 85 still live in my town, I see no evidence of anything other than an easily comparable standard of living except the majority of them have been divorced at least once. They will tell you that the temptations of living away from home and family can cause a heavy burden & stress on relationships! That’s my career lifetime story!