Troy, OH - March 18, 2008 -- The Dayton Section of the American Welding Society held their Annual Student Night dinner and meeting on March 11, hosted by the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (HIWT) in Troy, Ohio. Over 100 students from various vocational schools as well as from Hobart Institute, welding instructors, parents, and AWS members were in attendance to enjoy dinner and speakers.

Chuck Ford of Hobart Institute served as emcee, welcoming the group and focusing his comments on the student membership advantages and scholarships related to the American Welding Society. He then introduced Bryce O’Baugh, a skill instructor who teaches at the Hobart Institute.

Bryce told the crowd about the enticements that inspired him to become a welder, beginning with his early years as a young teenager working in his uncle’s shop and how his uncle encouraged him to attend Hobart Institute.

Bryce explained that during his time as a student at Hobart Institute, “I knew I had to compete, not with the student in the next booth, but with all those welders in industry that may be vying for the same position some day in the workplace. My welds are a direct reflection of myself.”

After welding for over a year in industry for an automaker supplier, Bryce returned to school and obtained his associate degree from Edison Community College. When an opportunity surfaced to become an instructor at Hobart Institute, Bryce seized the opportunity.

“I surround myself every day with instructors who know more than I do and I keep learning,” says Bryce. “Industry is very demanding and we all need to continue the learning process.”

“There are many opportunities for young welders,” Bryce explained. “Just because you are welding today does not mean that you will be doing the same job in five years. There are many branches of the industry from engineering, designers, and supervisors to sales and quality control including certified welding inspectors.”

“We need to replace those who are retiring,” Bryce continued, “not only replacing welders, but also replacing a work ethic of those who have been welding for 30 years.”

Bryce then passed the microphone to Russ Shurtz, technical instructor at Hobart Institute.
 

Photo: Russ Shurtz, technical instructor at Hobart Institute,
tells students to “be a willing, lifetime learner.”

Russ explained, “I made many choices so that I can be where I am and doing what I love.”

After completing a bachelor’s degree, Russ attended the Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program at Hobart Institute.

“I went to work and I got to weld. I loved it!” says Russ. “Solving welding problems increases your confidence.”

Following a lay-off, Russ moved into an inspection position and traveled. Family commitments soon had Russ seeking a more settled life style and when an opportunity to teach at Hobart Institute arose, he made the decision to join the staff.

“Jump at every chance you have for continuing education,” Russ advised the students. “Education always increases your worth and adds value to you, as a person, and to your job. Be a willing, lifetime learner.”

Zack Tobias, a welding engineer at KTH, a tier-one automotive supplier to Honda, then provided the audience with a definition of a welding engineer and explained the areas of a program in that field of study and work. Zack also gave the students an idea of salary ranges based on various education levels in welding.

Door prizes for the evening were provided by a variety of vendors to the welding industry. Grand prizes in the student raffle included Hobart Institute apparel, Hobart welders, a Lincoln weld package, and a training credit for Motoman’s one week Basic Robot Programming.