Welding may seem like a career for those who enjoy working with their hands and creating. If you’re a tech geek, you may have not considered welding as a career path or hobby. However, you should for all these four reasons listed below.
Maybe you dream about working on a pit crew for the Daytona 500 or you want to express your artistic side through metal. There are jobs all over the place for those who have the skill of welding. From the military to underwater oil rigs, there are countless possibilities that can combine your passions with a job in the welding field.
Some Welding Is Computer-Aided
When most people think of welding, they picture a person using a handheld welder. While this hands-on type of welding is still done today, it’s not the only type on the market. New computer-aided welding allows welders to take care of welding without being hands-on with the equipment. This is perfect for those who enjoy the tech field but love the creativity that welding brings to their career table.
It’s Very Lucrative
Welding is such a high demand field that businesses are paying a hefty sum for those who partake in it. The average salary for a welder freshly out of welding school is around $50,000. With some experience under your belt or by taking jobs in extreme conditions, you can expect to earn more on the upside of $80,000. This is a great career that will provide you with consistent income and may opportunities for work.
You Don’t Need A College Degree
If you’re not convinced yet that welding can be the right career for you, the fact that you don’t have to go to a college to do it may. While welding requires a specific skill set, you don’t have to attend a four-year college to learn it. Many general welding jobs can be gotten with a simple six-month tech program or by completing an apprenticeship. In addition, buying your own TIG welder is easy and doesn’t cost as much as you think.
As a tech geek, you may not have a clear idea of what type of career field you want to go into. Welding is one that you should look into for the many reasons above. Welding is no longer just reserved for hands-on work. There are lots of new technology that is making a union between computers and welding technology. With this combination, you’ll be sure to find a welding opportunity that sparks your interests.
If you do decide to take welding as a career, ensure to always wear a good welding helmet, some safety goggles and probably a hand-held face shield or other suitable eye protection when gas welding or oxygen cutting. I wish you success in your welding career.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
