I'd go to someone like Bechtel and you could travel and work anywhere in the world. The more you are willing to travel with them the more you make. They take really good care of their people, training is unbelivable, have outstanding benefits and know what a work/life balance is. If I had to do it again I'd work for a company like that as long as I could, build up a retirement and then go out on my own after 25 years.

I've been welding since I was around 16 been making a living doing it for almost 20 years. The best thing you can do is get on with a big company like KBR or BE&K and get into the pipe welding that's where the money is at for a combo pipe welder. These big company will hire you as a structural steel welder then fine tune your skills as a pipe welder while making good money as a structural steel welder. Don't settle for shop hand experience it's on the road out in the field where you will learn the most and it's okay for a single man easy to make 100 grand a year with a good company as a combo pipe welder but you'll have to live out of a suitcase.

The company I can get on with is called day & Zimmerman. Huge company. I plan on trying to be out of the shop as quick as I can. Hopefully last week of school is last week here.

PM sent cole

Should try to get on with Alabama Power Company. Hahaha, good luck Mr.I can't remember to do a resume.

Offshore isn't going to be what you're looking for, right now. Companies are still desperately trying to keep welders working and not lay them off so they'll be available when the industry turns around.

Sign on with a pipeline, as a welder's helper. You'll learn a lot, make some money, and have your foot in the door when you're able to acquire a rig and start welding.

Your first welding rig doesn't have to be a 6 figure affair...BamBam bought his first truck, an F450, for something around $5000, already had a welding/utility bed on it, too. His machine was used, too...picked it up for another few thousand dollars, and he's still using it today. He sold the F450 and moved into a newer 3500 Dodge after a couple years, and may be in the market for a second machine, now, to have as a back-up, should the one he has ever go down.

Good luck with the hunt, ColeT! Enjoy the adventure.

Oh, and I think it's a requirement that you start watching and memorizing every video on youtube by Pipeline Pierce! He's hilarious, just don't watch them if you have delicate ears around!

I told you to remind me biotch

I like his video about the Lincoln parody.

Check out the one about Mercury outboards.

If you weld me up a steel gate, I'll write you a heck of a letter of recommendation!

Hey buddy, congrats on finishing school and best of luck to you.