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Pros and Cons to a Job in Welding

mmurphy7669 — 2025-03-28 17:47:14 UTC

Summary: Indeed, covers the benefits of a career in welding. These include multiple ways to enter the field, as well as the job stability provided from it. Welding has a wide variety of opportunity's, including being able to start your own business once you have experience. There are some factors to the job that may be a downside. The job is physically challenging, including long hours. The conditions on jobs have many hazards and safety concerns if proper protocols are not followed.

Reflection: This article did a good job picking out the main positives and negatives to a career in welding. The major downside of welding is the toll it takes on your body, however it is a great career in other aspects. Even with a lot of jobs getting laid off or taken over by computers, welding remains as in demand and needed.

Citation: Indeed Editorial Team. "Pros and Cons of a Career in the Welding Industry." Indeed, 3 March, 2025. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/pros-vs-cons-of-being-welder

Accessed: 28 March, 2025

Getting Started...

mmurphy7669 — 2025-03-28 17:47:14 UTC

Summary: In this article Katie Flannery discusses the first steps to becoming a welder. She says to consider the straining physicals conditions that will be required before making a decision. She recommends beginners attend a community college or vocational school depending on your learning style and goal. After schooling should come an internship or entry level position to build more on the job practical skills. Then to enhance employability to get certified by the AWS, American Welding Society. From here special actions can be taken such as getting certified by state standards or enhancing your skills in a specific area.

Reflection: These are accurate steps someone can take to get into the welding field. This is the path I am on as I attend a trade school and start my first entry level job. But there is the alternative of skipping the school altogether and going right into an apprenticeship, with a union for example. There is not a one size fits all way to start this career.

Citation: Flannery, Katie. "How to Become a Welder and Build Your Career in 6 Steps." Bob Vila, 31 May, 2024.

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-become-a-welder/

Accessed: 28 March, 2025

Important Focuses

mmurphy7669 — 2025-03-28 17:47:14 UTC

Summary: This covers the top five important things to focus on to be a great welder. Great welders are always learning and open to new ways. They should also be able to see the big picture of blueprints while also focusing on the small details of every weld. Because of hazardous conditions safety should always stay a priority. Both for safety and other aspects of the job, welders should have good communication and interpersonal skills.

Reflection: These are great factors to work on to grow your skills and employment chances as a welder. While these skills apply to other jobs, they have their own specific applications in welding that differs from other fields.

Citation: Ronald, "Top Five Qualities of a Good Welder." West Arc, 5 Dec., 2015.

https://westarcwelding.com/top-five-qualities-great-welder/

Accessed: 28 March, 2025

Progression

mmurphy7669 — 2025-03-28 17:47:14 UTC

Summary: This article covers how there is no strict career path for welders. There are many different ways to learn, and the skill comes from experience. Depending on where you decide to get this experience, you could specialize in something or learn a bit of everything. Despite the indirect path, they find that commonly one is considered experienced after 7-15 years. They list different industries where welders are needed and highlight how each has different skills. They also specify suggestions on how to start a successful business as many do after they become experienced in their field.

Reflection: I like the way this article talks about the progression of a career in welding. There is more knowledge to be learned about the field than any one person could know. The option comes down to picking experiences that will teach you.

Citation: "The Ultimate Welding Career Guide." Welding Watch.

https://weldingwatch.com/welding-career-guide/

Accessed: 28 March, 2025

Health Affects

mmurphy7669 — 2025-04-25 16:34:47 UTC

Summary: This article outlines the findings of health studies conducted on welding fumes effects. There is a very wide variety of metals and other substances that you can be exposed to while welding. From these most body parts could be affected including the heart, lungs, kidneys or central nervous system. There are short term effects such as welders fever and many long-term effects. These dangers can be reduced or eliminated by wearing proper PPE and taking precautions like proper ventilation.

Reflection: When considering the field of welding, health risks should be taken into account. However, as the article includes, there are preventative measures to limit risks. This is why safety is a priority in construction-based work.

Citation: Bell, Vicki. "Welding Fumes, Their Health Risks and Hazards." The Fabricator, 11 March, 2023.

https://www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/safety/welding-fumes-their-health-risks-and-hazards

Accessed: 4 April, 2025

Tools to Get Started

mmurphy7669 — 2025-04-25 16:44:31 UTC

Summary: Lowes gives an in-depth guide to deciding what beginner materials to buy. The article goes over the different welders you need depending on what process you are looking to do. This also goes over considering budget as welders can range largely in price. It also recommends the basic personal protective gear need. There are different types of helmets, some that auto darken, some that are fixed shade.

Reflection: Due to the abundance of types of welders, this article helps break down the search. It can be overwhelming to decide between machines, especially if you don't know what all of the setting are for. This is an essential part to starting to weld if you decide to start yourself.

Citation: Lowes Editorial Team, "A Beginners Guide to Welding: Tools and Tips." Lowes, 11 October, 2022.

https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/welding-for-beginners?msockid=14e81128f4946a4c12af02def5f66b61

Accessed: 4 April, 2025

Degree or no Degree

mmurphy7669 — 2025-04-25 17:15:39 UTC

Summary: The article details the advantages of earning a degree in welding over going straight into the field. While an apprenticeship can get you experience in welding, a degree provides more theory. Through a degree you get the teaching end as well as the hands-on aspect. Additionally, a degree helps your credibility in the profession. It shows commitment and can give you a strong edge over other candidates.

Reflection: From experience, a degree does give a boost in getting a job in the field. Some companies especially like to hire straight out of tech colleges such as Thaddeus Stevens. Having knowledge before looking for a job provides more confidence and provides an easier way into the industry.

Citation: Griffin, Jason. "Is It Worth Getting A Degree In Welding?" Rickys Welding.

https://rickyswelding.com/is-it-worth-getting-a-degree-in-welding/

Accessed: 4 April, 2025

Is The Money What You Expect

mmurphy7669 — 2025-04-25 17:38:01 UTC

Summary: This article covers the specific types of welders who make the most money. Some of the highest paying welding jobs are pipeline welders, underwater welders, iron workers and welding inspectors. To enter most of these jobs, you have to pass specialized tests and be in harsher conditions. Many of these place heightened risks on your safety in addition to requiring extreme skill.

Reflection: Many people are under the assumption being a welder in general makes you three figures. However, this is a misconception and jobs that do pay this well are very specialized. You still make decent money as a baseline welder, but not what most people think. So, if you're in it just for the money, you have to be ready to put in the work in.

Citation: "What Welders Make The Most Money?" Welding Troop.

https://weldingtroop.com/highest-paying-welding-jobs/

Accessed: 4 April, 2025