SUCCESS STORY 

TRACKING A WELDER’S CAREER

By Marty Baker, Editor

Marty.Baker@welding.org

I find it interesting to track the career paths of welders and don’t know of too many other jobs that offer the diversity available to someone who is able to manipulate the torch.  During a few days off in June, Mike Callentine of Michigan took a drive south to revisit Troy, Ohio.  Mike’s welding trail began with an oxyacetylene welding class in high school and led him to the Hobart Institute’s Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program in 1979.  After completing training, he landed a job at a nuclear power facility in Michigan and later with a power company in New Hampshire welding pressure piping.

“Hobart definitely changed my life for the better,” says Mike.  “After a few years in the nuclear plant, I joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Texas and worked in that area of the country.”

Preferring cooler climates, it wasn’t long before Mike returned to Michigan and took a job in a paper mill in Michigan’s upper peninsula.  Soon after, he became involved in repair welding and maintenance of heavy equipment and tractor-trailer rigs.  This experience led to a position working with Jack Roush (notable in NASCAR) in the construction of prototype cars and later with Advanced Vehicle Concepts building “trick” cars.  Each job held it’s own unique challenges and created opportunities for learning experiences.  Since 1993, Mike has been employed by General Motors at their Milford Proving Grounds – Vehicle Safety and Crash Worthiness Lab with auto body development and safety. 

“Throughout my career, holding a certificate from Hobart opened doors for me,” Mike commented.  “Even at GM, where an associate degree or equivalent training is essential, it paved the way for me.”

Talented welders are well paid in most areas.  Union scale, even back in 1979, was $16.24 per hour and it isn’t unusual for union welders to earn $65,000 per year plus benefits, even early in their career. 

Cars also influence Mike’s hobby, as he enjoys working on street rods and body panels for sports cars.  

“Welders can travel anywhere in the country and find work,” Mike concludes.  Diversity has keep his career interesting.

And it seems, from perusing the GM web site, that their slogan “What Moves You” could easily be translated to a welding career, as could the GM career site where it is stated,  “Motivation: I reach one goal just in time to set another.” [www.gm.com]

Set your goals with the Hobart Institute in your career path.  In the 25+ years that I have been at Hobart Institute, I have not yet found anyone who regrets the time they spent pursuing welding training in their trail to the top.