Kylie Neff

BUS 1010
Basil Chelemes
November 7, 2016

Research in the Art of Welding

Job Description:
In welding, heat is used to melt the workpieces, and a filler material is used to form a
weld pool or molten material. When the weld pool solidifies, a strong joint will be formed.
(The Art of Welding, n.d.). The responsibilities a welder has all depends on the type of welder you
choose to be but the basics task a welder has is using melted metal to bind two different things together. I
am more interested in becoming a welder who makes art which will contain many different skills and
various types of welding. The four most popular types of welding are:

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)- With this particular type of welding, the
welder follows a manual process of stick welding. The stick uses an electric current to
form an electric arc between the stick and the metals to be joined. This type is often used
in the construction of steel structures and in industrial fabrication to weld iron and steel.
( 4 Popular Types of Welding Procedures,2014)
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)-This style of welding is also referred to
as Metal Inert Gas (MIG). It uses a shielding gas along the wire electrode, which heats up
the two metals to be joined. This method requires a constant voltage and direct-current
power source, and is the most common industrial welding process. It has four primary
methods of metal transfer: globular, short-circuiting, spray and pulsed-spray. ( 4
Popular Types of Welding Procedures,2014)

 Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)-This was developed as an alternative to shield

welding. The semi-automatic arc weld is often used in construction projects, thanks to its
high welding speed and portability.( 4 Popular Types of Welding Procedures,2014)
Gas Tungsten Arc Gas Welding (GTAW/TIG)-Welding together
thick sections of stainless steel or non-ferrous metals is the most common use for
this method. It is also an arc-welding process that uses a tungsten electrode to
produce the weld. This process is much more time consuming than the other three
and much more complex, too. ( 4 Popular Types of Welding Procedures,2014)
In order for me to become a successful metal artist I will most likely have to learn all four of
these types of welding and possibly even more. I would say the most important responsibility a
welder has would be to make sure that they do a decent job on the piece they are welding so it
holds together because, depending on the project, could save lives.
General Career Path:
Since my main goal is to become a metal artist that sells various art pieces to people it is
going to take a lot of hard work and communication. To become a successful metal artist I will
first have to get a blue collar job working at some welding shop or mechanic shop but while
doing so I can start on my artwork and sell my sculptures to family, friends, and neighbors. It
would take years before I could ever make a living off of my art alone if I ever get that far but as
long as I am making art that people can enjoy than I would feel like I had succeeded.
General Education Experience:
Welding education requirements vary by employer. Some employers require welders to
have a high school diploma and require completion of employer-based welding tests. Other
employers look for a certificate or undergraduate degree from a technical school, vocational
school or community college. Welders may also learn techniques through welding

apprenticeships. Welding education programs may culminate in a Welding Certificate of

Achievement, Associate of Science in Welding or Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering.
Formal education programs may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to complete.
(Welding Education Requirements and Career Information. n.d.) No real amount of
schooling is set in stone to become a welder but I know I definitely want to earn more
than my high school diploma. As of now I am planning on getting my Associate of
Science in welding and if I feel the desire to continue I will. To be an artist doesnt really
require a diploma but I will need to work blue collar jobs before I could ever reach my
goal and those jobs will possibly require some kind of diploma and even if they dont I
will have a higher chance of getting hired if I am further educated.
Average Salary:
The median annual Welder I salary is $37,037, as of November 07, 2016, with a range
usually between $32,226--$42,559, however this can vary widely depending on a variety of
factors. (Welder|Salaries, S.B.) Like many things associated with the career of being a welder
the salary of any welder but more specifically an entry level welder varies depending on things
such as the business you work for or your education or your position, there are many factors that
can adjust your salary.
Career Outlook:
For me it is hard to stay positive when thinking about taking this career. My main goal is
to become a metal artist and as most people know it is very hard to become a successful artist. I
have never really had that aha moment where all of a sudden I know what I want my future to be
like and welding seems like the only thing I would enjoy doing. I always keep my mind open for
new career choices but in the meantime I am going to continue my way to becoming a welder.

Bio of someone in the profession:

I decided to interview my grandfather (Bob Neff) because he is a welder and has
accomplished some pretty amazing and useful things with his knowledge of welding. I
interviewed him over email since we could not find a day and time that fit into both of our
schedules.
1) How did you get into welding?
When I was in the ninth grade got an Oxy-Acetylene welding set. Started by making a go-cart.
It felt good to be able to design and build something useful.
2) Have you always liked welding?
As a hobby, it is good to be able to repair and build things.
3) Why did you choose to pursue in welding?
Upon returning from my mission my dad wanted me to get a college degree. So went to Winter
quarter at the U. didnt enjoy the experience and didnt like the idea of spending most of my life
in an office, so the following September started a welding course at Utah Trade Tech. Did fairly
well at school. This seemed like a good occupation. My first welding job was to make a part for
front discharge cement trucks. Was being constructive and able to see progress. Work got slow,
so was laid off. Then went to work at Chicago Bridge and Iron making large tanks. That was a
great place to work. They had showers so was able to go home clean. Every other week we got to
see a half hour of a movie, so during the week got to see the whole movie. The work was dirty
and boring.
4) What welding project are you most proud of? Picture?
23 Ford Roadster (Picture on sources page)
5) What kind of skills are needed to be a welder?

Good eye hand coordination, steady hand, willing to get dirty, being willing to do reparative
tasks
6) Do you think welding is a good/safe career choice?
There was a time it appeared to be a great choice, but after while it became boring. It would
depend on what was being built and how much you enjoyed working on that type of project.
I am very proud of my grandpa and hope to become as knowledgeable as him one day.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Enjoyable-Something I think I would love doing
Creativity- Put you own spin on your work
Career Advancement- Easy to move up the ladder (Pros and Cons of Being a
Welder n.d.)
Job Choices- There are many different categories to specialize in. (Pros and Cons
of Being a Welder n.d.)
Cons:
Hazardous-Welders might have to work in high above the ground. They use high
intense heat to weld together metal pipes and metal parts. (Pros and Cons of Being a
Welder n.d.)
Discomfort- Will possibly have to work in filthy and confined spaces. (Pros and
Cons of Being a Welder n.d.)
My Fit in this Career:
I am a 51 19 year old girl and I know I am not at all like the stereotypical welder you would
picture in your mind but I do feel like I could handle this career choice and prove to others that I
know what I am doing. I realize that it will take a lot of perseverance and determination to be

successful in this career but I know that if I stay dedicated I could do some really great things in
the welding community.

Sources
The Art of Welding - Famous Metal Artists and Sculptures ... (n.d.). Retrieved November
7, 2016, from http://www.webinfobits.com/page/98f4d986dc2c

4 Popular Types of Welding Procedures. (2014). Retrieved November 10, 2016, from
http://www.lincolntech.edu/news/skilled-trades/welding-technology/types-of-weldingprocedures

Welding Education Requirements and Career Information. (n.d.). Retrieved November

10, 2016, from http://study.com/welding_education.html

Salary.com, S. B. (n.d.). Welder I Salaries. Retrieved November 10, 2016, from

http://www1.salary.com/Welder-I-salaries.html

Pros and Cons of Being a Welder. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016, from
http://www.trainingfyi.com/article/pros-and-cons-being-welder

(Bob Neffs 23 Ford Roadster)