Rudy Steward

Job: Level II Welder at Trinity Rail in Jonesboro

Age: 27

Hometown: Forrest City

Degree: Welding from Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute

Where do you work?

I work at Trinity Rail in Jonesboro, AR. I started as a level 1 welder and now I’m a level 2 welder, but in the future I see myself as a level 3 welder. A teacher gave me a recommendation at Trinity and I’ve been working here since October.

What is your job like?

I work on 3-4 cars a day. There’s a lot of grinding and measuring going on throughout the day. I also help out people down the line so we can all leave at a decent time. It’s all about the teamwork.

How did you get into your job?

I chose a technical school because a four years of college would be too long. I needed something where I could get a good job quickly. I thought this job was a great opportunity and there’s the ability to move up in the company.

What is your advice for students as they prep for college and careers?

Learn as much as you can under your instructor and make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. Take time out and really study the different degrees. You’ll never have to go to work a day in your life if it’s something you love to do.

Why should students choose this field?

It’s an easy job to get into and you can make a lot of money in this field. Welding is a skill you can use in everyday life. You’ll never be looking for a job if you’re a welder.

Why do you love welding?

I love welding because of the variety of things you can build. You can turn a sheet of metal into something completely different. It’s not the same everyday because every car is different.

Jobs In Welding

Believe it or not, but welding is a part of just about everything you see and touch in a day, like that car you drive, the bridge you drive over or the school you attend. Welders are in great demand because of the importance of welding in the manufacturing process. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that because basic welding skills are the same across industries, welders can easily shift from one industry to another.

Welding jobs range in difficulty and salary pretty drastically. As a welder you could work on NASCAR cars, a nuclear powerplant, hospitals, deep-sea oil rigs or even underwater pipes. Keep in mind that the more types of welding you master, the more you can earn. For salaries in welding, the sky’s the limit!

The requirements: High school diploma or equivalent at minimum; some employers may prefer postsecondary education or an apprenticeship

The job: Manufacturing, construction, industrial maintenance and repair, ship and boat building

The paycheck: The median annual salary for a Level I welder (the most entry-level position) is $36,755.

See more at Where The Jobs Are (And Who Pays the Most) in Arkansas