8 answers
quan
Student
McCormick, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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If i'm doing welding and want to go to a 4 year college is that a bad idea? ?
Do I try to weld in college
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8 answers
Chiquria Willis
Loan Processor - Rocket Mortgage
94
Answers
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Updated
Chiquria’s Answer
Pursuing a four-year college degree after gaining experience in welding is a fantastic choice, especially if it aligns with your goals. Welding equips you with valuable technical skills and practical experience, both highly respected and capable of opening numerous industry doors.
If you're thinking about attending a four-year college, consider these points:
Career Goals:
If you're aiming for positions like welding engineering, manufacturing supervision, industrial management, or teaching, a bachelor's degree can be a great asset. Many colleges offer degrees in welding engineering, materials science, or industrial technology, blending technical welding knowledge with broader problem-solving and leadership skills.
Welding in College:
Some universities have welding teams, projects, or hands-on labs within their engineering and technology programs. While not all universities offer full welding programs, look for those with strong engineering technology or applied sciences departments. Community colleges may also partner with universities for transfer pathways.
Combining Skills:
Your welding background is a unique advantage—having both hands-on skills and a college degree can make you more competitive for specialized or higher-paying jobs in fields like construction management, manufacturing, or design.
Alternative Paths:
If your passion lies in welding and you want to stay connected to the craft, consider exploring advanced certifications, associate degrees, or programs like AWS Certified Welding Inspector or Welding Educator.
In short, going to college after starting in the trades is a wonderful idea if it matches your interests and career goals. Many people successfully blend technical trades with higher education, building versatile and rewarding careers.
If you're thinking about attending a four-year college, consider these points:
Career Goals:
If you're aiming for positions like welding engineering, manufacturing supervision, industrial management, or teaching, a bachelor's degree can be a great asset. Many colleges offer degrees in welding engineering, materials science, or industrial technology, blending technical welding knowledge with broader problem-solving and leadership skills.
Welding in College:
Some universities have welding teams, projects, or hands-on labs within their engineering and technology programs. While not all universities offer full welding programs, look for those with strong engineering technology or applied sciences departments. Community colleges may also partner with universities for transfer pathways.
Combining Skills:
Your welding background is a unique advantage—having both hands-on skills and a college degree can make you more competitive for specialized or higher-paying jobs in fields like construction management, manufacturing, or design.
Alternative Paths:
If your passion lies in welding and you want to stay connected to the craft, consider exploring advanced certifications, associate degrees, or programs like AWS Certified Welding Inspector or Welding Educator.
In short, going to college after starting in the trades is a wonderful idea if it matches your interests and career goals. Many people successfully blend technical trades with higher education, building versatile and rewarding careers.
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi,
Not at all! Going to a four-year college after getting into welding can actually be a smart move, depending on your long-term goals. Here’s what’s on my mind when I think about welding and college:
Why Going to College After Welding Can Be a Good Idea:
Career Flexibility:
Welding is a skilled trade that pays well, but having a four-year degree can open doors to more advanced roles, like project management, welding inspection, or even teaching welding at a technical school.
Higher Earning Potential:
Combining practical welding skills with a degree in engineering, manufacturing, or industrial technology can significantly increase your earning potential. You could move from hands-on welding to overseeing welding projects or designing welding processes.
Broader Skill Set:
College can give you valuable skills in business, project management, or technical engineering—all of which can be useful if you want to eventually run your own welding business or move into management.
Not at all! Going to a four-year college after getting into welding can actually be a smart move, depending on your long-term goals. Here’s what’s on my mind when I think about welding and college:
Why Going to College After Welding Can Be a Good Idea:
Career Flexibility:
Welding is a skilled trade that pays well, but having a four-year degree can open doors to more advanced roles, like project management, welding inspection, or even teaching welding at a technical school.
Higher Earning Potential:
Combining practical welding skills with a degree in engineering, manufacturing, or industrial technology can significantly increase your earning potential. You could move from hands-on welding to overseeing welding projects or designing welding processes.
Broader Skill Set:
College can give you valuable skills in business, project management, or technical engineering—all of which can be useful if you want to eventually run your own welding business or move into management.
Kent Falkner
23
Answers
Updated
Kent’s Answer
Not at all—it’s not a bad idea at all to move from welding into a 4-year college. In fact, it can open up a lot of new opportunities, depending on your goals.
Important: It’s not a replacement for your trade skills—it’s a way to build on them.
1. You want to move into engineering or management. • Degrees in Welding Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Construction Management can build on your hands-on welding skills and lead to higher-paying or supervisory roles. • Example: A Welding Engineer might design welds or oversee robotic welding in automotive plants.
2. You want to expand career flexibility. • A bachelor’s degree gives you more options long-term: from teaching at technical schools to transitioning into fields like industrial safety, inspection, or project management.
3. You want to own or grow a business. • A degree in Business Administration or Industrial Technology could help you run your own welding or fabrication business more effectively.
Important: It’s not a replacement for your trade skills—it’s a way to build on them.
Kent recommends the following next steps:
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
quan
Kimberly Ferguson
Write on LinkedIn
4
Answers
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
Follow your passion it will be easier to decide on the path you will take..It will propel you forward in all decisions you have to make. The process will be easier when you write it down and put it on the target so you have a visual that will keep it on your mind. Whatever plans you have you can achieve them because you have a list and can compartmentalize and you have the ability to begin and look within and everything you need to do will be revealed and you just write a down.
You must decide the one you want to do first.
Passion with decide for you because you have a plan to do both.
Welding is a two year degree.
Yes might want to start your four year degree once you have almost sixty credits.
Follow your passion it will propel you forward. This is your vision you will accomplish it.
Kimberly recommends the following next steps:
Karla Medrano
BPA
3
Answers
Alajuela, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Karla’s Answer
Not at all — going to a 4-year college isn’t a bad idea, even if you’re currently welding. In fact, your hands-on experience could give you a strong edge in fields like engineering, industrial design, construction management, or even business.
If you enjoy welding, you can definitely look for colleges that offer programs related to it — some universities have strong manufacturing, robotics, or trade-focused engineering programs where your skills would be valuable. You might even be able to work part-time as a welder while you study, which can help with tuition and keep your skills sharp.
So no, it’s not a bad idea — it just depends on what your long-term goals are.
If you enjoy welding, you can definitely look for colleges that offer programs related to it — some universities have strong manufacturing, robotics, or trade-focused engineering programs where your skills would be valuable. You might even be able to work part-time as a welder while you study, which can help with tuition and keep your skills sharp.
So no, it’s not a bad idea — it just depends on what your long-term goals are.
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
174
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Hello,
You can start training as a welder as early as 16yrs old in some instances. See if it is offered as a vocational trade in your high school to learn the basics. There are apprenticeship programs that will pay you while you work and learn as well. There may be a local union near you that offers this route. There are many 1 and 2 yrs community/jr. college certificates and degrees that are also offered for welding. Pursuing a four-year degree is an option as well. It might require you to choose a specialty in the welding/manufacturing field. At that level you might even consider a path in engineering as well. Welding is a great career field and offers a lot of growth opportunities. Good luck, you will do well.
You can start training as a welder as early as 16yrs old in some instances. See if it is offered as a vocational trade in your high school to learn the basics. There are apprenticeship programs that will pay you while you work and learn as well. There may be a local union near you that offers this route. There are many 1 and 2 yrs community/jr. college certificates and degrees that are also offered for welding. Pursuing a four-year degree is an option as well. It might require you to choose a specialty in the welding/manufacturing field. At that level you might even consider a path in engineering as well. Welding is a great career field and offers a lot of growth opportunities. Good luck, you will do well.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
646
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Quan,
That's not a bad idea at all! You can of course study anything you want, but a few things stand out if you want to build on your welding expertise.
As a welder you need to understand metals and alloys, so Materials Science and Engineering or Mechanical Engineering would be obvious choices. Learning about different classes of materials, their synthesis, properties and structure would broaden your knowledge base. Having a degree would open up paths to advance in your profession.
If you want to go more into the business side of your trade, business and management studies, construction management or engineering management would be good options.
Something different: If you are a creative type, you could even get an art degree and expand your welding practice into creation of art installations.
If you get a welding job while you attend university, you can fund your further education.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
That's not a bad idea at all! You can of course study anything you want, but a few things stand out if you want to build on your welding expertise.
As a welder you need to understand metals and alloys, so Materials Science and Engineering or Mechanical Engineering would be obvious choices. Learning about different classes of materials, their synthesis, properties and structure would broaden your knowledge base. Having a degree would open up paths to advance in your profession.
If you want to go more into the business side of your trade, business and management studies, construction management or engineering management would be good options.
Something different: If you are a creative type, you could even get an art degree and expand your welding practice into creation of art installations.
If you get a welding job while you attend university, you can fund your further education.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Jason White
Lead Product Manager- Network Security
155
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hey Quan,
Nope. I think it's a great idea actually. I believe the benefit is that they have options that many people don't. it's a best of both worlds scenario. I'm sure many go into a trade and major in something like business to eventually strike out and run their own company. I'm a fan of having varied skillsets so you have as many job and income options as possible.
Nope. I think it's a great idea actually. I believe the benefit is that they have options that many people don't. it's a best of both worlds scenario. I'm sure many go into a trade and major in something like business to eventually strike out and run their own company. I'm a fan of having varied skillsets so you have as many job and income options as possible.