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I spent so much time learning how to be a good software developer and then trying to build a career. But you know I really think getting into software development was a huge mistake in my life. now I can't even get a job doing it unless I start bullshiting people which I could do very easily but I hate the work anyways. I hate Star Wars. I hate playing with Legos. I hate learning how to do the same thing for the fifth time using a supposedly better JavaScript framework that takes as much time to learn and set up as it saves you but non-coding fuckwits believe knowing the currently trending JavaScript framework makes you an elite coder compared to somebody who knows 1,000 other things including other JavaScript frameworks just not your particular favorite.

Anyways, I've done a little construction and I actually like that. But I think I might like welding more. I've been hesitant to reskill myself for the past I don't know year and a half to two years but welding actually does seem like something I would like to do.

Any advice on getting started? Any idea how much I can expect to actually get paid? Any idea what the job security for a rookie welder might be during a period of hyperinflation? Any other advice?

I spent so much time learning how to be a good software developer and then trying to build a career. But you know I really think getting into software development was a huge mistake in my life. now I can't even get a job doing it unless I start bullshiting people which I could do very easily but I hate the work anyways. I hate Star Wars. I hate playing with Legos. I hate learning how to do the same thing for the fifth time using a supposedly better JavaScript framework that takes as much time to learn and set up as it saves you but non-coding fuckwits believe knowing the currently trending JavaScript framework makes you an elite coder compared to somebody who knows 1,000 other things including other JavaScript frameworks just not your particular favorite. Anyways, I've done a little construction and I actually like that. But I think I might like welding more. I've been hesitant to reskill myself for the past I don't know year and a half to two years but welding actually does seem like something I would like to do. Any advice on getting started? Any idea how much I can expect to actually get paid? Any idea what the job security for a rookie welder might be during a period of hyperinflation? Any other advice?

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[–] • 6 pts (edited )

Get your certs. Perfect your craft. Treat it as a professional art form. Keep perfecting your craft. Never stop learning metallurgy and materials science. Learn to identify and implement the subtle differences between $10/hour, $40/hour, $60/hour, and $100/hour craftsmanship. Keep a photographic record or journal of bad, good, better, and best welding examples from everywhere you go. Make it a habit to take a camera everywhere you go and keep pictures of as many welds as you can find, everywhere you go. Catagorize your pictures and try to reproduce the excellent ones you find whenever possible. Strive to mimic the $100/hour craftsmanship.

[–] • 2 pts

Go with this. A lot of wisdom there.

[–] • 0 pt (edited )

Yeah sure .. the most often repeated complaint from welders I have heard is that ever since they entered the trade there has been nothing but unremitting toil, they resent the fact they have to labor and strain every day while others in the community without their level of expertise get by just the same .. it is not only welders, numerous ppl abandon high paying trades and engineering positions for whatever reason, the whole concept of "get a trade you can get a job anywhere" falls down in the face of some of the stuff they expect you to do .. maybe if the money is right has been my stock answer.