by Marty Baker
Editor
The World of Welding

We are frequently told that our best advertising for the Hobart Institute is “word of mouth.”  While this is not a form of promotion that the staff at HIWT can directly control, Chris Sakos of New Jersey has demonstrated ways in which to spread the word.

Chris completed training at the Hobart Institute in the fall of 1976.  He returned home, joined the Pipefitters Union, and has had a successful career.  Along the way, he married Maria and together they are raising twin boys (now age 19) and a daughter (now 17).

“When the children were small, I used to tell them that being a welder, I get paid to play with fire, get paid to play on the monkey bars (climbing the I-beams, pipe racks, etc.) and get paid to go on amusement rides (scissor lifts, giraffe lifts, etc.) and don’t take home any of my work.  I told them they should do well in school also, so that they can get a job that makes them happy when they get older,” says Chris.  “Throughout their school years, I often mentioned Hobart Institute and how happy I am today because of the things I learned there and the career I have had because of my training.  Whenever we attended a school function or award ceremony, when a student was introduced with a phrase ‘after high school (s)he would like to go to college and be a teacher, doctor, scientist, etc.’ I would always make the other parents and students chuckle when I said ‘Doesn’t anybody want to go to welding school and be a pipefitter like me?’”

“My daughter just graduated this year,” Chris continues, “and while none of my own kids chose to follow in the footsteps of their Dad, I did stop by the high school guidance office on my way home from work the other day and dropped off Hobart Institute literature and will make sure a Hobart poster is hanging in their hallway along with the rest of the quality school posters when school opens in the fall.”

It would be interesting to know how people have learned about Hobart Institute from Chris throughout the years and acted upon that information.  In discussing recruitment, former HIWT President and now Executive Director of the American Welding Society Ray Shook once told me, “You never know when you are planting a seed.”  This is especially true with word-of-mouth advertising.  The efforts Chris has made will eventually reap benefits for a student and the welding industry.  And the staff at the Hobart Institute greatly appreciate Chris’ assistance in spreading the word.

Chris’ boys were award-winning competitors in fencing during high school and his daughter enjoys playing piano.

“I point out once in awhile that they inherited their dexterity from me because of my ability to stick weld with one hand and because of my TIG welding abilities,” says Chris with a smile.   There may definitely be some truth to this theory.

Chris enjoys staying in touch with past alumni of HIWT and one of those is Rosario Barone.  Chris mentioned, “Rosario signs his e-mails with “Watch your eyes!”

“I think all HIWT alumni should have that as our own special “sign off” trademark,” says Chris.  “I think it would be a hit with welders all over.  Maybe we could print bumper stickers, etc.  What do you say we spread the word?”

We would like to challenge all Hobart graduates to spread the word.  Tell others where you obtained your training and the benefits you have realized because of it. Industry needs more good welders like you!  And we join Chris in cautioning all welders, “Watch your eyes!”

Share your stories and thoughts with us on this or other topics through our web site bulletin board at http://www.welding.org/bb.html, by e-mailing us at hiwt@welding.org, or mailing to Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, 400 Trade Square East, Troy, OH  45373.