3 answers
Asked
486 views
what college would be best for the trades?
im in the 11th grade im thinking about college but im not sure what college that would be best to help me with welding and the trades i need some pointers.
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Daniele’s Answer
Hi Connor, it is a pleasure to meet you !
I have attached the following link to help assist with your search of a promising welding school in your area. It is called Columbia Basin College located in Pasco, Washington. The link is directly to their tuition site that will be important when deciding what school you'd like to attend. There are several options that are out of state as well, that will potentially be higher.
I would suggest, getting in contact with your school counselor and express your interest in welding and they may have programs they can recommend as well. I would also suggest taking a tour of Columbia Basin College by end of this school year to get a feel of atmosphere and to ask any questions you'd like regarding scholarship information and ways they can best serve you. Best of luck you Connor!
https://www.columbiabasin.edu/i-am/current-hawk/pay-for-college/tuition-affordability.html
I have attached the following link to help assist with your search of a promising welding school in your area. It is called Columbia Basin College located in Pasco, Washington. The link is directly to their tuition site that will be important when deciding what school you'd like to attend. There are several options that are out of state as well, that will potentially be higher.
I would suggest, getting in contact with your school counselor and express your interest in welding and they may have programs they can recommend as well. I would also suggest taking a tour of Columbia Basin College by end of this school year to get a feel of atmosphere and to ask any questions you'd like regarding scholarship information and ways they can best serve you. Best of luck you Connor!
https://www.columbiabasin.edu/i-am/current-hawk/pay-for-college/tuition-affordability.html
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
connor
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
You can even consider joining an Apprenticeship program. Look in your area for Iron Worker or Boiler Maker Unions. They can tell you what types of apprenticeships are in the area that match your education interests. You work during the day and go to school at night if how apprenticeships normally operate. Good luck
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Hi Connor!
It is great to meet you.
I am not in the industry any longer but have worked in commercial painting, commercial drywall and construction, and construction sales too. For an idea of something cool I did go look at Portland International Airport, I was on a huge construction project there in 1997 (it has changed quite a bit since then).
So quick thoughts about colleges for trades (though not welding specifically):
Most universities have Building Construction Management or Project Management programs (that is what I studied at Purdue in Indiana since I am from the Midwest). These programs are all encompassing as there are many facets to large commercial projects. A program like this or even a construction Engineering program might be of interest. In my construction management program at Purdue we had large facilities where we built actual structures, it was pretty cool. Other universities / colleges in your area have this too, 100% guaranteed.
If you want to truly hone in on the trades, then a Union might be better. The Elevator Mechanics Union is a phenomenal one that is always looking for great talent. When creating / building and deploying Elevators as you can imagine there is a lot of steelwork specifically, as well as advanced electronics and more.
You are already doing the right thing by trying to learn about this and create a game plan. I would suggest working in one of these fields as an apprentice this summer, Construction companies always need honest people that they can trust on jobsites to handle a myriad of tasks that come up on a day to day basis. If you get a job and really like it, that might be a sign you are on the right track.
If you go the University route, remember that Construction Engineers design things and then oversee their construction. Construction managers build things that other people have designed. It is important to know if your aspirations are to create and build things in your career.
It is great to meet you.
I am not in the industry any longer but have worked in commercial painting, commercial drywall and construction, and construction sales too. For an idea of something cool I did go look at Portland International Airport, I was on a huge construction project there in 1997 (it has changed quite a bit since then).
So quick thoughts about colleges for trades (though not welding specifically):
Most universities have Building Construction Management or Project Management programs (that is what I studied at Purdue in Indiana since I am from the Midwest). These programs are all encompassing as there are many facets to large commercial projects. A program like this or even a construction Engineering program might be of interest. In my construction management program at Purdue we had large facilities where we built actual structures, it was pretty cool. Other universities / colleges in your area have this too, 100% guaranteed.
If you want to truly hone in on the trades, then a Union might be better. The Elevator Mechanics Union is a phenomenal one that is always looking for great talent. When creating / building and deploying Elevators as you can imagine there is a lot of steelwork specifically, as well as advanced electronics and more.
You are already doing the right thing by trying to learn about this and create a game plan. I would suggest working in one of these fields as an apprentice this summer, Construction companies always need honest people that they can trust on jobsites to handle a myriad of tasks that come up on a day to day basis. If you get a job and really like it, that might be a sign you are on the right track.
If you go the University route, remember that Construction Engineers design things and then oversee their construction. Construction managers build things that other people have designed. It is important to know if your aspirations are to create and build things in your career.