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I am a 17 year old male in St. Louis, MO trying to start a career for welding. What can I do to get started on this career?
I'm trying to become successful in the near future and do welding. Can I get any tips on what I can do once i get started?
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Cristina’s Answer
Hi Maleek - what a great career path to be considering! Welding is a skilled trade that opens up so many doors. I'd love to share (1) a personal story about my husband's journey, as well as (2) an important piece of advice about the Mike Rowe Foundation that I think could really help you get started.
(1) My husband took welding classes in high school when he was around your age, thinking it would be his lifelong career. After graduating, he worked as a welder for Halliburton in his hometown of Duncan, Oklahoma - while Halliburton isn't a welding company, their massive Duncan facility is dedicated to heavy industrial manufacturing and large-scale structural welding to build oilfield machinery, pressure pumping trucks, and drill rigs. It's actually one of the largest employers of industrial production welders in the region, which gave him incredible hands-on experience early in his career. He later started his own small welding business serving local companies in his area, and that business actually paid his way through college - welding gave him both financial independence and a valuable skill set at a young age. Life then took an unexpected turn when he joined the Air Force as a navigator, and today he's a Lieutenant Colonel at NGB. Even though welding didn't end up being his lifelong profession, he still uses those skills constantly for hobby projects around our home, and he'll tell you to this day that learning to weld was one of the best decisions he ever made. The point is: welding is a career on its own, but it's also a skill that will serve you for the rest of your life no matter where your path leads.
(2) Now, for what I think is the most important tip I can give you: look into the Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship. Mike Rowe (from "Dirty Jobs" - check out his channel) is a huge advocate for the skilled trades, and his foundation awards scholarships specifically to people like you who are pursuing trades like welding. It's a fantastic opportunity to help fund your training. The application is open right now through 10/31/2026! You can learn more and apply here: https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/mike-rowe-work-ethic-scholarship
A few other quick tips to get you started:
- Check out welding programs at local community colleges and technical schools in the St. Louis area (Ranken Technical College is well-known in your region).
- Look into earning AWS (American Welding Society) certifications - they're highly respected by employers.
- Try to get hands-on experience early through apprenticeships or entry-level shop positions.
- Check out reputable welding YouTubers who teach different techniques - Alec Steele is fantastic for learning about metal and metalworking, and Welding Tips and Tricks is a channel my husband swears by for its incredible wealth of knowledge from an experienced pro; other channels like Weld.com, Timmy Welds.
- Keep an open mind about specialties like underwater welding, pipeline welding, or aerospace welding - some pay extremely well.
Wishing you all the best on this exciting journey. You're already ahead of the game by thinking about your future and asking the right questions!
(1) My husband took welding classes in high school when he was around your age, thinking it would be his lifelong career. After graduating, he worked as a welder for Halliburton in his hometown of Duncan, Oklahoma - while Halliburton isn't a welding company, their massive Duncan facility is dedicated to heavy industrial manufacturing and large-scale structural welding to build oilfield machinery, pressure pumping trucks, and drill rigs. It's actually one of the largest employers of industrial production welders in the region, which gave him incredible hands-on experience early in his career. He later started his own small welding business serving local companies in his area, and that business actually paid his way through college - welding gave him both financial independence and a valuable skill set at a young age. Life then took an unexpected turn when he joined the Air Force as a navigator, and today he's a Lieutenant Colonel at NGB. Even though welding didn't end up being his lifelong profession, he still uses those skills constantly for hobby projects around our home, and he'll tell you to this day that learning to weld was one of the best decisions he ever made. The point is: welding is a career on its own, but it's also a skill that will serve you for the rest of your life no matter where your path leads.
(2) Now, for what I think is the most important tip I can give you: look into the Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship. Mike Rowe (from "Dirty Jobs" - check out his channel) is a huge advocate for the skilled trades, and his foundation awards scholarships specifically to people like you who are pursuing trades like welding. It's a fantastic opportunity to help fund your training. The application is open right now through 10/31/2026! You can learn more and apply here: https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/mike-rowe-work-ethic-scholarship
A few other quick tips to get you started:
- Check out welding programs at local community colleges and technical schools in the St. Louis area (Ranken Technical College is well-known in your region).
- Look into earning AWS (American Welding Society) certifications - they're highly respected by employers.
- Try to get hands-on experience early through apprenticeships or entry-level shop positions.
- Check out reputable welding YouTubers who teach different techniques - Alec Steele is fantastic for learning about metal and metalworking, and Welding Tips and Tricks is a channel my husband swears by for its incredible wealth of knowledge from an experienced pro; other channels like Weld.com, Timmy Welds.
- Keep an open mind about specialties like underwater welding, pipeline welding, or aerospace welding - some pay extremely well.
Wishing you all the best on this exciting journey. You're already ahead of the game by thinking about your future and asking the right questions!
Updated
Dave’s Answer
Hello Maleek!
If trade school is an option for you, I would suggest that. Do your research though. Some are just out for your money. You could also call shops in your area and ask if they offer any apprenticeship positions or if they are a teaching shop.
There are so many different directions you can take your welding career. Do you want to work inside or outside? Do you want to utilize all major processes or specialize in one (you should have a strong background in GMAW and GTAW regardless)? Do you want to build structures, pressure vessels, process piping, DoD welding? You don't have to nail this down at 17, but it is something to think about.
I'm unfamiliar with what is in highest demand in Missouri, but I would recommend developing your GTAW skill in metals other than mild steel, i.e. stainless, aluminum, titanium, etc.
I apologize for the length, but I hope some of it helps.
-Dave
If trade school is an option for you, I would suggest that. Do your research though. Some are just out for your money. You could also call shops in your area and ask if they offer any apprenticeship positions or if they are a teaching shop.
There are so many different directions you can take your welding career. Do you want to work inside or outside? Do you want to utilize all major processes or specialize in one (you should have a strong background in GMAW and GTAW regardless)? Do you want to build structures, pressure vessels, process piping, DoD welding? You don't have to nail this down at 17, but it is something to think about.
I'm unfamiliar with what is in highest demand in Missouri, but I would recommend developing your GTAW skill in metals other than mild steel, i.e. stainless, aluminum, titanium, etc.
I apologize for the length, but I hope some of it helps.
-Dave
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Are you in the Job Corps? If so, you are in the right place to get a good start with a career. Get as much basic and advanced level training as you can before graduating so you will be able to get a great job when you graduate. Stay positive, avoid negative influences and maintain good conduct and attendance so you are eligible for the higher levels of training. It might take an extra year or two, but you will benefit the rest of your life for the training you receive now. the TCU training might be a good next step for you once you complete the basics. Stay focused, keep learning as much as possible and you will do well.
Updated
Tiarra’s Answer
Hi Maleek.
Attending a technical college or community college may be the fastest way to gain the skills, education, and certification you need to begin your welding career. Also, attending school will give you hands-on training and experience, and adding that college to your resume will appeal to potential employers.
Completing an apprenticeship and any internships while you're in school will also add to your resume. After you graduate from community college, trade school, or technical college, you may begin an apprenticeship or find entry-level welding jobs at local factories. I wouldn't make working at a factory the long-term goal unless it is a welding factory, not a company that includes welding.
Attending a technical college or community college may be the fastest way to gain the skills, education, and certification you need to begin your welding career. Also, attending school will give you hands-on training and experience, and adding that college to your resume will appeal to potential employers.
Completing an apprenticeship and any internships while you're in school will also add to your resume. After you graduate from community college, trade school, or technical college, you may begin an apprenticeship or find entry-level welding jobs at local factories. I wouldn't make working at a factory the long-term goal unless it is a welding factory, not a company that includes welding.