[ChrisPR]

Well first of all let me introduce my self, my name is Chris and I'm from Puerto Rico but residing in Rhode Island, what a contrast right? This is a great small forum that I've enjoyed for the past few months, very informative and very welcoming. I'm trying to begin a career in welding and to tell you guys the truth is had being a bit difficult (but what isn't?)

I moved from PR because my island is in very bad shape in all aspects, socially, economically etc. etc.. . I worked as a salesman nearly 15 years of my life, I'm 32 years old, and when thing started becoming more and more difficult, I started to look for options work related. I discovered a few months about welding, I knew what welding was but didn't knew what welding was all about.

I checked the internet made some research then after being secure I called a school in my home town (in PR) that offers some crash courses in welding, so, I enrolled and since the first time I got the stinger in my hand and struck, I felt in love with this, to bad I didn't discovered welding earlier in my life I took 3 crash courses (about 100 hrs. total) but this isn't enough, this is like just the tip of the iceberg, I mean no one can call them self a welder without experience and knowledge combine.

So with that being said, since I'm planing the move from PR to RI I started to look for training's in RI and came across with some training schools, to name a few:
SAMI, is a New England Technical Institute school that training's you in the field of shipbuilding the training is about 8 weeks but getting in is the hard part and have to wait until February for the next opening.

Thielsch, they offer engineering services throughout the country, 6 week course and they say that this course will introduce the student to the four welding processes and welding terminology.

I have visit them both and got oriented in both training but, do you guys think that I'm making good decision here? I mean, is going to school and not look for a job a wise decision? Can you guys share some light with a traveler:.? or do you guys thing that looking a job as a helper or an apprentice job is the way to go?. I need some guidance and it is much appreciated in advance.

Thanks for all
Christian:.

[motox]

welcome to the forum

[Otto Nobedder]

Welcome Christian,

There's nothing wrong with more schooling. I'll say this about the shipyard trade... If you're successful there, you can work anywhere in welding.

However, since you already have skills, why wait? I'd be seeking work actively, even when considering school. Most schools can fit with work schedules.

Steve S

[ChrisPR]

Welcome Christian,

There's nothing wrong with more schooling. I'll say this about the shipyard trade... If you're successful there, you can work anywhere in welding.

However, since you already have skills, why wait? I'd be seeking work actively, even when considering school. Most schools can fit with work schedules.

Steve S

welcome to the forum

Thnks for the response, much appreciated, that's what I mean Steve, maybe I don't fell confident enough to land a job here because I've also noticed that getting a job in this trade here in RI is like you've scored the lotto or something like that. Thanks for all Steve

[Mike]

Chris welcome to the forum.

[ChrisPR]

Chris welcome to the forum.

Thanks Mike!

[Otto Nobedder]

Welcome Christian,

There's nothing wrong with more schooling. I'll say this about the shipyard trade... If you're successful there, you can work anywhere in welding.

However, since you already have skills, why wait? I'd be seeking work actively, even when considering school. Most schools can fit with work schedules.

Steve S

welcome to the forum

Thnks for the response, much appreciated, that's what I mean Steve, maybe I don't fell confident enough to land a job here because I've also noticed that getting a job in this trade here in RI is like you've scored the lotto or something like that. Thanks for all Steve

Like the Lotto, you won't win if you don't play...

Take a crappy little fab-shop job, building handrails or something, just to keep your skills sharp and build a resume, while you're exploring schools. If you're not melting metal, you're not getting better!

Steve S

[ChrisPR]

Welcome Christian,

There's nothing wrong with more schooling. I'll say this about the shipyard trade... If you're successful there, you can work anywhere in welding.

However, since you already have skills, why wait? I'd be seeking work actively, even when considering school. Most schools can fit with work schedules.

Steve S

welcome to the forum

Thnks for the response, much appreciated, that's what I mean Steve, maybe I don't fell confident enough to land a job here because I've also noticed that getting a job in this trade here in RI is like you've scored the lotto or something like that. Thanks for all Steve

Like the Lotto, you won't win if you don't play...

Take a crappy little fab-shop job, building handrails or something, just to keep your skills sharp and build a resume, while you're exploring schools. If you're not melting metal, you're not getting better!

Steve S

Thanks Steve