Which direction to take

Did you enjoy building miniature models growing up? Do you have a steady hand? Explore the actual day-to-day facets of each vocation & think about your God-given strengths. How do your strengths relate to each trade? Are you a good problem solver? Can you follow instructions step-by-step without getting rushed & discouraged? Even so, a welder can be a mechanic & a mechanic can be a welder.

 

A welding manufacturing job can be moved overseas. How many companies will use automated welding in 10 yrs From now. some welding jobs would be safe bet, not others. I would say go diesel mechanic but in the end try a little of both a see what fits you.

Also if you end up taking the diesel classes take a couple welding classes, its a very handy skill.

 

FWIW.... and I have no clue about either jobs however....

Take BOTH classes!! Seriously.... If you can't take them both now, then find some classes to take over the summer. But ultimately - you'll probably want to go towards 'Engineering' (in either Welding, Diesel, heavy equipment or whatever).

Sometimes..... Welders get stuck in a factory all day long welding the same things over and over again. Some Diesel Mechanics get stuck making repairs all day long.
Nothing wrong with that.....

But it appears - you want to do more than that. The more classes & motivation/initiative you have, the better.

 

Welding.Why? Because dragons breathe fire and so do welders.

 

More money in the big equipment. I have friends working at dealers making over 100k a year. A couple working on ships as engineers with the slow speed desiels making stupid amounts of money. I don't know many welding jobs that pay well unless your a fabricator with your own shop.

 

If you take both and go to a maritime school like California maritime; or mass maritime. Their marine engineer programs put you in a career that pays very well. And there is a huge demand.

 

I do like dragons

 

Who doesn't?

 

new thread will be made

 

I have no information to provide, but good for you for looking into your future!

 

I'd say it comes down to your creative state of mind. I've done 3 years of welding and 5 years of diesel mechanical work in the Army. Aside from manufacturing, welding gives you more creative freedom and self expression.

I was always proud to see the work I did with a welder and people recognized my work. It's definitely an art.

On my diesel side of work, I had fun diagnosing and repairing vehicles of all sizes. It was enjoyable to dig into a truck and figure out what was wrong with it then get my hands dirty.

In short, I would say that welding is like painting, where as diesel maintenance is like doing jigsaw puzzles.

 

Also, get into welding and you can start fabbing up so sweet bumpers for us

 

Diesel mechanics make good money up here...but so do the welders. It's a hard call...but I think you'd do well either way.

 

I can't draw

 

Look at the market you are going to be working in.

 

I have made a decision

 

My dad has been a welder for over 30 years. 23 were welding mufflers on cars at a dead end job. Now he owns his own business designing ranch style gates and decorative fencing, pool fencing, and automatic gates. He has 2 full time employees and loves what he does.

Jackeasoncustomgates.com


You can always work for someone or you could make your own "job" and start your own business.

 

I am going diesel

 

Do both. I welded my first bead in highschool and fell in love with it. I went on into Mechanical Engineering for 2 years because I wanted to design cars, then into Media production, then into advertising as a job. But I still use all of my welding/mechanical skills to design and build crazy stuff daily. Never hurts to have a wide tool belt. Just do what you enjoy.

 

I know how to weld. The class would be more for the 50$ certification which from what I know is a steal