There has been plenty of discussion in recent years about what it means to have a “good job.” Is it how much money you can make? Is it an opportunity? Is it how society or your family or peers view the job? It’s probably a little bit of all of those. Recent generations seem to embrace the thought that they need to do better than their parents did and at least go to college for an undergrad degree. But with all the students who have finished their education in the last ten to twenty years, or are entering the workforce soon, the student debt that they have accrued has put them in a huge financial hole before they even receive their first post-college paycheck. Some will never get out of debt. I don’t see how that’s good in any way.
TV Host Mike Rowe strongly disagrees with the popular theory of what a good job is and what young folks need to do to get a good, well-paying career. The current job market experts insist that there is a skills gap for many of the available jobs, and Rowe says, “75% of those jobs don’t require a 4-year college degree.” He also disputes the popular notion that many blue-collar trade jobs don’t pay well. In fact, Rowe made a big deal railing against a 2019 article titled “Welding Won’t Make You Rich.” Like all careers, not everyone who has a career as a welder makes above-average salary, but some do, and many make a very good living.
When looking into a career as a welder, be sure to research which welding process is best for you. These include Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Shielded Meta Arc Welding or Stick (SMAW), Energy Beam Welding (EBW), Plasma Arc Welding, and more.
There are many reasons why welding is a good career choice:
1. To become a welder and have a career in the field, you don’t need a 4-year college degree and all the student debt that comes along with it. There are a variety of ways to learn the trade, such as taking classes from a company like Vern Lewis Welding Supply.
2. There is a significant demand for welders. Welders are needed all over the world and in most places there are more jobs than trained people to fill them. It’s a great trade and as long as you have a good work ethic, you’ll never be out of a job.
3. Welding pays well. Like most good jobs, you don’t start at the top, but you can earn a good wage, even at the beginning. Entry-level welders earn an average of $40,000 per year and can quickly get up to $50,000 and over $100,000 per year.
4. You can move up quickly. There is a demand for welders and because of that, it’s easy to move up the ladder in the welding industry. If you work hard and are career-driven there is a lot of opportunity for advancement in the field.
5. We hear all the time that some jobs get boring. There is diversity in welding. We mentioned before about all the different types of welding. There are also different metals, different types and sizes of projects, and this trade can take you all over the world if that’s what you want. There really is an incredible amount of diversity.
Welding can be a satisfying and enjoyable career for you. If you are interested in learning more about welding, Vern Lewis Welding Supply offers a wide variety of classes with experienced trainers and top-of-the-line equipment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you along your welding career path.
