Underwater Welding not for the Faint of Heart
A recent article coming out of Muskegon, Michigan, quoted a young man learning how to be an underground welder at a local vocational school. The man wanted to work on ships, bridges, and oil rigs. He had heard of the dangers involved with the occupation, but he was intrigued by the job's inherent exoticism and its associated high wages.
Like Joe Hampton, a student at the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, many young men are intrigued by a potential career in underwater welding. Enrollment in this specialized field is up around the country. When asked why the career is so attractive, most young men talk about the potential to earn high wages, the thrill of working underwater, and the ability to travel to exotic places. Underwater welders often work on seaworthy vessels, meaning that they are hired for long voyages to ensure that if something goes wrong with a ship below the water's surface, someone is there to fix it.
Learn Underwater Welding in Welding School
If you want to become an underwater welder, or a welder on dry land, you'll need to learn the trade. Welding training can most often be found at two-year technical or vocational colleges. Welding students most often earn associate degrees in welding or welding certificates. Many vocational schools are associated with welding contractors in their local area, and can help recently trained graduates find welding jobs. The vocational schools that are most well-connected in the underwater welding field are located in areas where ships are built. If you are interested in a welding career, but have current conflicts that won't allow you to enroll in welding school, you may want to get some of your requirements completed online. There are some welding courses that cover more academic welding knowledge offered online. Students who take online courses can generally work at their own pace, making their studies more manageable.Source
About the Author
Kirk Bangstad is an artist manager and singer working in Chicago, IL. His previous experience includes consulting for technology companies in the Silicon Valley and serving as a field director and publicist for a statewide political campaign. Kirk holds a B.A. in government from Harvard University.
