What to Know About a Welding Career in Vancouver and Anchorage

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Welding is a fascinating career that can take you all over the world and allow you to work in many different industries.

If you think it might be the right path for you, here are five things you need to know about a career in welding in Vancouver, WA and Anchorage, AK.

1. You Can Choose Different Industries with a Welding Career

Because the most basic skills of welding are the same, you can usually move across industries fairly easily. Many industries have a need for welding, such as:

  • Manufacturing
  • Fabrication
  • Construction
  • Oil and gas
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive

2. Welding Teaches You a Variety of Skills and Processes

There are over 140 processes used in welding today, and no single process is right for every task. But the principle remains the same: the heating of metal by means of friction, electricity, and even explosives to create a sound bond between two metals. If you’re artistic, you might use more basic welding processes to create sculptures or furniture. Or if you’re more into technology, you might weld remotely in nuclear power plants using computer-controlled power sources.

3. Welding Doesn’t Only Apply to Metals

When you think of welding, you probably imagine sparks flying from metal joints and sheets. But plastics and polymers can also be welded. Welding can be performed on plastic, as in plumbing fittings, while polymer welding can be used for medical devices, among other things.

4. You Need to Consider Safety as a Welder

Because you’re dealing with high temperatures and powerful equipment, welding does have its dangers. It’s important to take proper safety precautions to avoid electric shock, or exposure to gas, fumes, fire, and explosions. You also might find yourself sitting high up in the sky on narrow beams if you’re working on a construction site, squeezed in tight spaces, or even under water. Conditions vary greatly from one job to the next, so it’s important to consider what you feel comfortable with before you start a job.

5. You May Be Able to Travel the World with Welding

If you’re looking for adventure or want to see new places, a career in welding may allow you to work while you travel. You could even have a job that keeps you on the road for most of the year. Traveling welding jobs include:

Does this sound like a career that’s right for you? If you want to learn more about all the places a welding career might take you, contact Charter College today to learn about our welding certificate program.

Charter College Welding Infographic