What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of welding? It’s most likely a person with a torch and a mask fusing two pieces of metal together with extreme heat. That’s not an inaccurate depiction of the trade; however, it doesn’t paint a complete picture because welding is so much more diverse than that.
Take into account that more than 50 percent of products in the United States require welding at some point in manufacturing, including computers, cell phones, oil rigs, and bridges. With this in mind, the necessity for welders is quite prevalent.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers will grow through 2026, with an expected 22,200 jobs being created. In the coming years, welders will play vital roles in repairing and rebuilding components of America’s infrastructure, such as buildings and bridges.
Perhaps you weren’t aware of just how diverse the welding profession is in terms of what kinds of specializations are available, where welders can work and what kinds of things welders work on. To further increase your knowledge of the welding occupation, below are five things you might not know about welding.
Different kinds of welding jobs
The welding field offers a wealth of unique opportunities and specializations across a number of different industries. As a welder, you can work indoors, outdoors, and help rebuild bridges, highways, and buildings. Different kinds of welding jobs are available in different geographic locations, which means you can also choose to live in a number of different places across the country.
As a welder, you could also be part of the construction of new power plants and gas and oil pipelines. There also exist a number of different skills you can master and certifications you can achieve. There are nine different certification categories you can choose from that are offered by the American Welding Society to expand your skills and increase your skill set and marketability.
Chance to live the outer space dreams of your childhood
You have the opportunity, in fact, to work in space as a welder. It’s not just for astronauts. Aerospace welding is just one of the many paths you could choose to pursue during the course of your career as a welder.
Welders are crucial to the construction and maintenance of man-made structures in outer space. Ever heard of a little thing called the International Space Station? Welders helped build it and they continue to work on it and other space structures today. If you have an interest in space travel but feel being an astronaut is a pipe dream, becoming a welder who specializes in aerospace could be the next-best thing.
Opportunity to weld in the oceans
Similar to outer space, the sea is a mostly unexplored frontier. As a welder, you could potentially specialize in underwater welding and spend your days’ building and repair structures while submerged in water. Underwater welders play an important part in maintaining oil rigs and other deep-sea drilling equipment.
Underwater welding is not without its dangers, though as a veteran underwater welder (one who has three or more years of experience) you can potentially earn a six-figure salary for subjecting your body to such peril.
Weld your career path with a Summit education
You’re probably wondering how you start your welding career. Simple. It all begins with a quality trade school education that will provide you with the education you need to start welding and give you the chance to be on your way to a rewarding career. Summit College’s welding program could be just the program for you.
Summit College is dedicated to providing students with the personal attention they need to succeed in learning the welding trade. As a student in Summit College’s welding program, you will be immersed in the basics of welding, upon which your career in the industry will be built. Summit’s comprehensive welding curriculum includes courses in subjects such as:
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding
• Flux Cored Arc Welding and Blueprint Reading
• SMAW Pipefitting and Layout
• Fabrication and Repair
• Career Development
Summit’s program will help prepare you for a welding career in various settings, such as automotive industries, construction, trucking and railroad, ironworks and more.
Summit College is proud to offer its nine-month welding program at its Colton, El Cajon and Santa Ana campuses in California. To help you fit an education into your busy daily life, day, afternoon and night classes are available. You can also benefit by being able to finish the program and start work sooner than your peers who may have opted for four-year programs at a traditional college or university.
The instructors of Summit’s welding program are experienced and knowledgeable professionals who provide students with individual attention to ensure they learn the necessary welding skills. Students learn the ins and outs of the profession in classroom and laboratory settings.
Summit College also offers students career assistance that can help you find employment, including resume help, mock interviews and externships. This wealth of resources can help you make the most of the openings in the welding field.
What are you waiting for? Fuse your passion for the trade with a program dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams and create a meaningful career by visiting our website today!
