And yes, it is extremely close to me. 2 miles away from my house.

If that welding opportunity is relatively close to where you presently live, jump on it ! Yes you may start with a broom, but you can certainly move up. It's exactly what you need to see if it's truly your passion. If it pays equal or more than your retail gig, why not go for it ? Is it possible to...

I visited a local welding and fabricating shop over here just looking for advice. It turns out that the owners would be willing to hire to me (at first to help of course) but then acquire welding skills over time. I don't know too much about the process of getting certified, but one owner basically ...

GSB, While you're doing the retail thing, enrol yourself in a math course and see how it goes. You seem to be wholly focussed on failing due to a math weakness, so do something about it. Math is one of my weaknesses, I missed out on the basics because I went to school in 3 different countries, seve...

The trades would be the last place I would ever steer someone but it sounded to me like welding might be your passion. My 2cts, in all reality is that the trades are a hard road uphill because they are flooded with people who ended up there because of no other choice. You will never get rich workin...

It's rough. I'm kind of in a bad situation. I'm working in retail right now just to get some money together. Obviously I don't want to be here forever. I don't know if I should use a trade as a stepping stone to get some money together for a college degree or just go the college route in the first p...

You see, the thing is that I dont know if Id like sitting at a desk all day and solely designing things with software. I feel like Im more of a craftsman.. I like using my hands and creating.. In the tangible sense. But Im just concerned that Im going to have regrets and think "what if" i...

You see, the thing is that I dont know if Id like sitting at a desk all day and solely designing things with software. I feel like Im more of a craftsman.. I like using my hands and creating.. In the tangible sense. But Im just concerned that Im going to have regrets and think "what if" i...

If you have lung problems already, most types of welding are going to cause you problems in my opinion. I'm 45 and now have COPD. I've never smoked and only welded part-time. Also worked in concrete and some carpentry. I say tig welding only if you are starting out with problems. Wear your mask rel...

If you have lung problems already, most types of welding are going to cause you problems in my opinion. I'm 45 and now have COPD. I've never smoked and only welded part-time. Also worked in concrete and some carpentry. I say tig welding only if you are starting out with problems. Wear your mask rel...

Thank you for the informative replies everyone. I have two questions: 1. I know this is really shifting away from welding, but I have no one else to ask. I don't have family. But would you all say that it's better to depend on a college education for a career as opposed to learning a trade? See, wha...

I have such respect for welding as a whole and I have not had such a fascination in anything nor a desire to master something in such a long time. However, I am greatly concerned about the health risks associated with welding as a career. Is it true that you can take all the precautions and safety m...