Greetings all,
I live south of Chicago, and am currently in the local community college for my AAS in industrial welding. I am 47, am starting a second career, after 20+ yrs in Fire/EMS has worn my knees down. My research for a second career routed me in this direction with the pay scales I have seen possible and the supposed lack of qualified and motivated welders available to work out there.
Something I was wondering and would like some feedback about is my age compared to the "kids" I am learning with along side in school. Would the high paying jobs, (pipeline, oil field, contractor etc..) be only slanted for the kids coming out of schools, or are the companies looking reliable, consistent, and focused people to hire on?
I am in shape and work out consistently, but if I am honest with myself, I can keep up and outpace the learning curve by sheer determination and drive, but unlike the kids in my class, when I go home at night, I am shot till the next day.
( strange I don't remember that being a problem..lol )
I guess I am wondering were I will fit in in the welding world.. I started my welding degree last June from scratch, and am slotted to complete my degree by DEC 20th this year. I have managed to test out of every certification available at the college in the areas I have been learning on and I am working testing out of 6G pipe within the month if all goes well. It's been hard work but I hoping I can get a good return for the investment..
any thoughts?
- Otto Nobedder
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Weldmonger
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Posts:
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Joined:Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:40 pm
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Location:Near New Orleans
Shadowrunner,
Welcome to the forum!
Your age is actually an advantage, particularly a fit 47. Experience is valued in the trades, and your age will give a "first impression" of experience. Age is also assumed to have a developed work ethic and the ability to "self-start", reducing the amount of time supervision has to spend with you, as opposed to a "snot-nosed" kid fresh out of school who's never worked for a living and thinks someone's going to just hand them a check.
Just two or three cents...
Steve S
Welcome to the forum!
Your age is actually an advantage, particularly a fit 47. Experience is valued in the trades, and your age will give a "first impression" of experience. Age is also assumed to have a developed work ethic and the ability to "self-start", reducing the amount of time supervision has to spend with you, as opposed to a "snot-nosed" kid fresh out of school who's never worked for a living and thinks someone's going to just hand them a check.
Just two or three cents...
Steve S