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THIRTY
YEAR CAREER BEGINS
WITH THE BASICS
Career
diversity has led to an interesting life for John Dalen of
Franklin, West Virginia.
While attending college to achieve a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biology and Physical Science at the University
of Wyoming, John decided to take the summer of 1972 off to
work and earn some money.
Taking a job as a welder’s helper, he soon found that
welding was both interesting and challenging
“I
took a night class in welding at a local vocational technical
center,” explains John.
“The instructor said I had potential, so with good
instruction four nights a week for four months, I gained good
basic skills.
I was able to earn good money welding for two summers
before my college graduation in 1975.”
Following
graduation, John taught school for one year, but quickly
realized he preferred welding as an occupation.
“Welding
presented me with an artistic challenge and the satisfaction of
doing things with my hands,” Dalen continues.
“I enjoy seeing the tangible results of my labor
whether I’m building a steam boiler or a log house.
I don’t regret getting a college education.
It was a good experience and has given me some advantages
in the workplace.
But as my welding experience increased, I realized
further training was necessary.”
Upon
the recommendation of a friend, John turned to Hobart Institute
and enrolled in his first course in gas tungsten arc welding
pipe in 1979, which immediately led him to new jobs and
challenging opportunities.
“Since
my original time at Hobart, I’ve taken three additional
courses there.
Each experience has been challenging, interesting, and
very rewarding,” John states.
“It has been my experience that, on any job, the better
I am prepared, the more I am satisfied and rewarded.”
John
is now an American Welding Society
Certified Welding Inspector with experience in nondestructive
testing.
He has worked in inspection in addition to being both a
structural and a pipe welder and fitter and instructor at job
sites in France as well as at various companies in Wyoming,
Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
He is also an Emergency Medical Technician.
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