What is a typical day like in welding?

Austin, as with any career, it's all in what you make it. For instance, in Texas, it's very lucrative to be a pipeline welder working in the oil fields. To some, this might sound boring or mundane. But consider the importance of this job and value that's placed on (by way of very high wages). By committing yourself to making the perfect welds on a large oil distribution pipe, you're making that pipe as safe as it can be to transport vital, natural resources in a way that will hopefully prevent the negative impact on other natural resources. Sure, you could show up and run through the motions each day, but think of the satisfaction you would get from knowing that a pipeline you worked on transported billions of barrels of oil without a break in 50 years. You thought you were just going to be a welder, now you've also had a hand in protecting the areas that pipeline traversed. That's just one example.

Now, with the good comes the bad, right? Welding almost never takes place in what many would consider a comfortable work environment. You're probably going to be hot and dirty at the end of the day. But I've seen welders who beam with pride a perfectly pooled seam.

Having assisted in building a steel-frame building myself, I can attest that knowing I've had a hand in raising a building that can take a direct hit from a F4 tornado and still be standing is an awesome feeling. Take pride in your work!