HOBART INSTITUTE STRONGLY INFLUENCES CAREER

By Seth Hipshire

I thank the Lord each day for Hobart Institute and its staff.  Hobart Institute has made a life-long career for me as a Combo (combination) Welder.  In the five years that I have welded, the hardest accomplishment I thought would be standing in front of Big Blue and passing a guided bend test at Hobart!  Seeing no failures in the test made me a more confident person in taking a certified test in a real job situation.

After I graduated from Hobart, I started working for a boiler and tank company with a beginning wage of $18.50 per hour.  I stayed with the company for a year, traveling on the road.  When I left them, I was earning $21.25 per hour with higher wages for overtime ($37.75/hr.) and Sundays ($46.50/hr.).   I have now relocated to Jacksonville, Florida where I am now employed by a marine corporation working on a dry dock at Mayport Naval Base.  I am currently welding on the USS John F. Kennedy, an aircraft carrier, and the 14 other battleships in the port.  I have been TIG welding on 3-inch to 10-inch pipe such as carbon steel, stainless steel, copper-nickel, and aluminum. 

Since I have been in Jacksonville, I have had many other welding opportunities.  The one that has interested me most is a job with a railroad transportation company that has advised me that I would possibly have my own welding truck with a welder, boom, and all tools furnished. 

Completing the course at Hobart has opened many doors for me because of my ability to weld and the strong name that Hobart has made for itself.  The education and hands-on work that I received at HIWT has enabled me to earn a very competitive wage in the workforce.  In future years, I look forward to returning to the Hobart Institute to continue my education as a Certified Welding Inspector / Educator.  The school has blessed my life with plenty of work to keep me busy, raise a family that doesn’t have to struggle, and to plan for a great retirement.