I tell my students that my priorities in life are God, family, country, and welding -- in that order.  I try to teach them pride in a job well done, and the value of doing a job right the first time.  No half-steppin’!  Do it, and do it right.

I try my best to teach the value of a good work ethic.  As an Iron Worker, I was always proud in the field that I gave “8 hours work for 8 hours pay.”  In our union, if you don’t work hard, you get run off…plain and simple.  I want my guys and gals to go out there and work hard and fast, and then go to the boss and ask “what now?”

It’s also important on the job not to gripe and moan too much.  (Now don’t get me wrong.  Every good welder has to gripe and moan sometimes.  Just don’t make a habit of it!)  And try to get along with your fellow workers, even if you can’t stand them.  Just put up with them on the job.  And above all, be honest. 

Speaking of being honest, I’ll be honest here and tell you I’ve had some BAD welding jobs.  During my apprenticeship, I worked at a powerhouse 100 miles away while attending apprentice school from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights.  That meant meeting my ride at 5:00 a.m. to go to work and getting back into town just in time to head out to school at 7:00 p.m. My alarm clock became my enemy on that job!

The weather was as hot as heck in the summer, freezing cold in the winter, AND the job location was in the middle of nowhere!  At least on high-rises in the city you were able to wave to a pretty girl now and then!  At the powerhouse location, there was nothing but a bunch of cows! 

I hated that dang job so bad, I started dreading Monday morning at quitting time on Friday!  But I had a goal, and that’s what kept me going.  I was gonna’ be a journeyman someday and then I could go wherever I wanted.  That’s how you make it through the tough jobs…set a goal for yourself, and then go for it.  Use the rough job as a stepping-stone to better times. 

This past Christmas time, I talked to two of my former students… one is working in a steel plant and the other is an apprentice Iron Worker.

After only three months, Brian Martinez is already a lead man at the plant where he works.  He told me about the importance of measuring, and of producing a sound weld.  They fabricate racks and shelves for warehouses, and he said, “We just had a meeting where they told us our new tolerance is plus/minus 1/16^th inch!”  (That means each measurement they make can be no more than 1/16^th or less than 1/16^th of an inch variation from what the print designates.  A cut calling for 2’ 7” could not be more than 2’ 7 1/16^th”, or less than 2’ 6 15/16^th”. )

“Our supervisor came out with a rack that had been welded up.  He kicked it and the whole thing fell apart because the welds didn’t have any penetration.  He was NOT happy!”

Brian said he was glad he had practiced hard in class because it gave him confidence both while taking his test, and for his first days on the job.  He has caught a bunch of flack because he has already been promoted over some hands that have been there longer.  Brian smiles and says “I tell them work hard and learn more instead of whining!”

I was really happy to hear that he is saving as much as he can.  My rule of thumb is to save at least 10 percent of your pay, but hopefully more if you can.  And put every penny you can into your employers savings plan ESPECIALLY if they match it.

His foremen and job superintendents recognized Jeremy Bumbalough right off the bat!  Like Brian, I’m not surprised at all when Jeremy tells me how well he is doing.  Jeremy learned a quick lesson on his first day in the field.  “There was this second-year apprentice who wasn’t worth a flip.  He screwed up our cutting rig so badly, that when the boss came back after lunch, he couldn’t even use it.  He had to call for another one, and was some kind of mad.  He asked who had done it and “Mr. Slacker” just sat there and acted like it was me!” Jeremy jumped up and told the boss it dang sure wasn’t him, and the foreman told him he had figured it wasn’t.  He learned quickly that you better stand up for yourself, even if it’s your first day on the job. 

After working very hard, Jeremy has already had foremen and job superintendents wanting to keep him on their job because they recognize a good hand when they see one. 

Welding instructors around the country could join me telling about our successful students out there in the “real world.”  And I’d bet you their success stories would have something in common with Brian and Jeremy.  They are the ones who were “gettin’ after it” in our programs! 

The more you burn, the more you learn, and the more you’ll earn!

We’re challenging welding instructors to join Marty Rice in sharing success stories of your students.  We are also interested in hearing about your successful class projects.  Include photos if possible (electronic .jpg or glossy prints and mail or e-mail them to:

Marty Baker, Editor
The World of Welding
Hobart Institute
400 Trade Square East
Troy OH  45373
hiwt@welding.org