HIWT GRAD LANDS JOB OF HIS DREAMS

A combined love of racing with a talent for welding has placed Nathan Purdue, a 2003 graduate of the Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, right where he wants to be at this point in his life.   

“Since I was a little kid, I loved racing,” explains Nathan.  “I raced go-karts for six years in my early teens and told myself if I didn’t make it as a driver in racing that I wanted to have a job that involved something to do with the racing business.”

Nathan also enjoys welding and chose to pursue more advanced training after high school.

“When I was at Hobart my dad always told me to find something that everybody had trouble doing and become good at it because that is where the good jobs are going to be,” says Nathan.

That bit of advice paid off for Nathan.   

“While on Christmas break at Hobart, I went to the C&R Racing facility [Indianapolis, IN] for a tour,” Nathan continues.  “I was very impressed with what I saw.  The shop was big with state-of-the-art equipment; it was so clean you could eat your lunch off the floor.  I also noticed an even bigger thing, especially for a welder.  The shop was heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer.”

“About two weeks before graduation, C&R called me for a welding test and interview.  I remember waking up that morning to take the test.  I’ve never been so nervous in my life!  I was not happy with the results of my test, but C&R saw the potential in me and hired me right out of Hobart.  I have worked at C&R for two years.  I enjoy my job enough to say it doesn’t feel like I have to get up and go to work everyday.”

For C&R, Nathan performs TIG welding and does some machine work. 

“Nathan is very reliable, flexible and a great welder,” says Chris Paulsen, President and Owner of C&R Racing, Inc.  “Nathan is flexible in his willingness to learn different things and do different jobs; he works very well under pressure and with his coworkers at C&R.”

“When I graduated from Hobart I was trained in every type of welding process and any type of metal,” Nathan says.  “Without my training at Hobart, I would not have been able to have as successful a career in the welding world.”

“An employee’s work ethic and first class welding ability are necessary to succeed at C&R,” explains Chris.  “Reliability is key - we need employees that come to work on time, do not miss a lot days and overall have a good attitude towards their work.  These are all qualities that Nathan exhibits.”