Welcome to the community! Tell us about yourself, your welding interests, skills, specialties, equipment, etc.
FNG
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jb1993
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    Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:30 pm

Hello all from Iowa!

New guy here mainly looking for some career advice. I don't have the knowledge, yet, to really help anyone out. But I love this forum and the knowledge you guys have here gives me something to strive towards.

Little background: I've welded for about 8 years off and on, mainly MIG, doing light fabrication work for a local pig company. I'm going to graduate from a university in May (Business), but recently came to the conclusion that my best strengths are in hands on work. I'm really looking forward to breaking into the construction side of the industry and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Poland308
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    Thu Sep 10, 2015 8:45 pm
  • Location:
    Iowa

Welcome. Iowa here too. Lots of construction in the area probably for the next few years for sure. Have you concidered an apprenticeship ?
I have more questions than answers

Josh
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Mike
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    Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:09 pm
  • Location:
    Andover, Ohio

Welcome to the forum FNG.
M J Mauer Andover, Ohio

Linoln A/C 225
Everlast PA 200
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jb1993
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    Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:30 pm

Poland308 wrote:Welcome. Iowa here too. Lots of construction in the area probably for the next few years for sure. Have you concidered an apprenticeship ?
Yeah I went down to CR to the Local 125 and toured with a Kirkwood class. It seems like a great program but I was really trying to get outside of Iowa while I'm still young. Fluor and Bechtel both offer pipefitting/welding programs in house. A staffing agency told me to get my 3G, 4G stick and then they would be able to find me a job in ND.

Which industries are really goin right now in your area?
What's your opinion on the three different routes?
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Poland308
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    Thu Sep 10, 2015 8:45 pm
  • Location:
    Iowa

I was part of last years tour guides for that event. There will most likely be a couple of new power houses going in and a lot of planed up grades to existing ones in the next couple of years. Several large steam boilers for some state run institutions. Talk of lots more because there is a lot of stuff that got built in the 50s that's just starting to get worn out. Travel isn't a bad thing if your ready for it. I already had a family by the time it was an option for me. I stay close to home except for a few weeks a year and some small projects that last a few days. Know a few guys who started traveling with Bechtel and some of the other big players. They watched there money close and will probably retire before they are 50.
I have more questions than answers

Josh
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jb1993
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    Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:30 pm

Thanks for the help. I'm going to try for the big corp training and hopefully get hired on afterwards or just start as a laborer to get my foot in the door. I know some people may not want to talk to some random kid, but is there anyone from Bechtel or other companies that you know I could call up and ask some questions about their experiences (travel, work, lifestyle)?
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Poland308
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    Thu Sep 10, 2015 8:45 pm
  • Location:
    Iowa

http://jobs.bechtel.com/
I would start here. There is usually a lot of paper work to fill out for jobs like these. This will help you figure out what info there looking for.
I have more questions than answers

Josh
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jb1993
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    Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:30 pm

I ended up getting a call back from Fluor. They're starting a new pipe fitters training class in July. Should hear back early June if I make the list. I'll check the link you posted. Appreciate the help.
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