Which direction to take

X2 this is what I was going to say. I don't think the welding program is too long, and it's a good skill to have

 

http://www.100kwelder.com/

Read up. Good welders make great money.

 

Dooo it. Being able to weld aluminum is invaluable. I got so many projects where I need aluminum welded, but all I have is a Hobart Mig. Being able to Tig would be amazing. so useful. Welding in general is just a great skill. Being able to fix almost anything is awesome.

 

My dad was actually trying to convince me to become a police officer

 

My wife is getting her welding degree at MCC and loves it.

 

I'm farm certified to weld

 

He says it himself. 80% Of welders make 10$-15$.

 

Between the career choices you listed I voted Diesel. Reasoning below...

Both careers you listed have the same estimated expected growth (16% over the period used) & you seem to be equally interested in both careers.

Diesel offers the best pay. Like in every industry/job there are the top earners. $100,000 this $100,000 that, it doesn't matter in either of these two careers (or many others) if you're not at the top of the game and if you are it's good in both. But, according to the government web site www.bls.gov (should be accurate right) diesel mechanics have highest earnings in the bottom 10%, top 10% and median pay. All other things being equal (again job growth & your preference) why not pick the highest paying?

So, unless you have some speciality interest I either of these two careers that affects the typical career in either field...diesel.

I've got to ask, what are the factors that lead to your choice?

 

I am not an artist

 

Have fun at school, diesel is fun, and that's what i was gonna go to school for until if worked in my uncles auto body shop for a month.

 

Ill try my best

 

You could be. Would you consider this art? Some rich people with nice houses would lol





An example of my old mans work.

 

I don't know if that's art to everyone Kevin but, those sure are cool looking doors/gates. Stories of guys, like your old man, making it on their own are always cool to me.

 

I lack so much creativity. I could never build anything that good looking..

 

Welding, I don't know a broke welder. A lot of them make tons of money on the side as well.

 

Both are hard work, but the welding I think will take you further. More doors will open from fab to RnD

 

you can train your brain to be creative.

start simple.

Write down 10 ideas a day. Just 10. they can be anything. Not a to do list but 10 things that could make money.

1. self publish a book on Amazon (its free)
2. open a cigar and whiskey bar and host Maden tournaments once a week on XBOX
3. offer to set up facebook pages for local business and charge them for it. Then offer to update the page with weekly deals and pictures for more $$
4. sell scrap metal
5. how to put wifi into a beer bottle
6....

The more you do this the more ideas you will come up with and you get your brain juices flowing.

 

power generation is a good thing to get into. basically you service diesel generators

 

I'm an amature frabricator. I build trailers to sell. I classify this as a hobby, even though I've lost count of how many I have built and sold. I know I'm near the 300 mark. with that said, I like to weld as a hobby. If I had to do it for a living, I think I would tire of it in a hurry.

My advice is to lean towards the Diesel choice. The main reason is that the welders that are making the big money are the ones that are travelling, and I don't mean 2 hrs from home. These guys are on a welding job in different states for weeks at a time. A diesel machanic will be located more close to home and be more of a steady income. You can kind of plan your life a bit.

Most of the welders in a fabrication shop do not make that much money, but they are close to home. Owners of fab shops can make some decent money.

If you are young and travelling to different areas appeals, go for the welding job. Otherwise think diesel repair.

 

and the 20% that apply themselves and work hard?

I'm not the 80% who are happy with doing the same shit every day for no pay. Work hard, learn, and apply yourself and your not making $15 an hour.

I was making that kind of money with no education driving a forklift unloading 18 wheelers when I was 18yo. Any welder worth his weight would never settle for that crappy hourly pay.