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Leonard, 27, from Pelican, Louisiana, completed the seven-month Professional Welding program at the Tulsa Welding School, Dallas Metro (Irving) campus in November 2024.
Thanks for your time, Leonard. What did you do before coming to Tulsa Welding School?
I was driving trucks and working on getting my CDL. I just had a change of heart along the way and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Eventually, I decided to try welding. I didn’t want to be an over-the-road truck driver, so I started looking for something else.
Where did the idea of welding come from? Family member? High School?
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No, no one in my family welds and although my high school had a welding program, I didn’t take part in it. When I realized that truck driving wasn’t what I wanted to do, I just started researching trades like HVAC, welding, and electrical work. I figured HVAC was too hot, and while welding is also hot, I felt I would have more freedom with it. It came down to welding or electrical, and I chose welding.
Thinking back on your time at Tulsa Welding School, what did you enjoy most about the experience?
Meeting other welders and seeing how they weld. Welding is kind of wild – everyone does it a bit differently, but it works. I learned a lot from other students and the teachers.
How many instructors did you have throughout the program? One for each phase?
Yeah, I had a different instructor for each phase; they were very hands-on.
Did you find it difficult starting out, since you were new to welding?
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At first, it felt a little weird. But the teachers showed me how to hold the torch and what to do. It got easier with time.
As you progressed, did you have frustrations, days when you thought welding wasn’t for you?
Yeah, definitely. When you first start, you fall in love with stick welding. But once you learn the other processes, you see how hard it really is. Some days nothing works right; one day just goes terribly and you’re burning through everything. But if you keep at it, you do get better. You’ve got to “burn to learn.”
What helped you push through? Was it your own determination, or support from instructors?
A little bit of both. I remember when I started TIG welding, I just couldn’t get it. I wanted to quit. But my teacher told me, “You’ve come so far. This is just one bad day. Come back tomorrow.” And a few days later, I was laying a good root pass. You’ve got to have that grit and see it through.
Where are you working now?
I’m working for W&K Industries. We assemble machines and do welding work. I started as a helper and welded my way into a full crew.
Did you start with them right after graduating?
I first worked at a place called Sabre Industries. I started there right out of school. I wanted to get my feet wet in the field. I was there for maybe a month or two before moving to W&K. I got this job through a mutual friend I met at Sabre.
W&K is based out of Georgia, right? But you’re still based in Dallas?
Yeah, it’s a traveling job.
Interesting! You didn’t want to drive trucks because of the travel, but now you’re traveling for work.
True, but this kind of traveling is better. I’m not stuck in a truck all day!
Where are you working now, and what kind of work are you doing?
We just finished a job in Louisiana. I was TIG welding on refrigerant pipes – pretty simple stuff since I’m still considered a green hat. I’m not doing anything too crazy yet.
What kind of job site was that – like a refinery?
Yeah, it’s kind of like a refinery with a lot of piping.
How long do you stay at each job site?
It depends on the job and your crew. On the job I just finished, we were there for about a month.
Do you get to choose where you go next, or do they assign you?
They usually tell you ahead of time when a job is ending. Then you decide if you want to stay with the crew, take a break, or move on to the next job. For me, being a green hat, it depends on what more on what they need from me than what I want to do. The more experience you have, the more your schedule is up to you.
Let’s talk about money. You’re six months out of school – are you happy with your paycheck so far?
Yes, trust me, I’m very happy with it! I made a good career choice.
Do you get paid while you’re waiting or are you only paid when you’re traveling?
I get paid when I’m traveling. I start getting paid the moment I get briefed to a job and I’m heading out.
So, you have to be sensible with your money for the time when you’re not working.
Yeah, I always try to make the best financial decisions I can because I don’t get paid when I’m home. I’m saving up to buy my own welding machine right now. I’m trying to be smart with my money.
What are your long-term goals? Do you want to keep traveling?
I don’t want to work my whole life. That’s why I’m saving up to buy my own welding machine. At some point, I’ll look to get a government contract. Eventually, I want to build my own crew and start my own business. I’d like to build a crew to do the hard work, and I’ll run the operation. As I said, I don’t want to work my whole life!
That’s smart, retirement planning at 27! What do you enjoy most about welding?
The art of it. From beveling your own pipe to laying down the root pass – it’s all a form of art. It’s something only you can do in your own way. Just like there was only one Leonardo da Vinci; nobody else could paint like him. To me, it’s the same with welding. Every weld has your own signature; every weld means something to you. Nobody will weld how I weld.
Did you make some connections at school, people you’ll stay in touch with?
Yes, we use the same group chat we had when we were in school. We tell each other about job openings. I’m trying to get one of my classmates on at my job now. He went to Mississippi as soon as he graduated, but now he wants to come back this way. Welding is like a lot of things in life, it’s sometimes ‘who’ rather than ‘what’ you know. Keeping a network is very important in welding.
Did the instructors give you insights, tips and tricks, beyond the welding curriculum?
Oh, for sure. One of my teachers, Will, has been welding for over 20 years. Just having him teach me little wrist maneuvers when I learned pipe welding has made a huge difference for me now that I’m a pipe welder out in the field.
What advice do you have for people to be successful on the welding program at Tulsa Welding School?
Don’t get down on yourself. You’ve got to “burn to learn.” And ask questions. I asked questions because I figured it’s better to know than not know. You don’t know what you don’t know. Everything means something, from temperatures to angles. So, always ask questions if you don’t know. Speak up for yourself. Get the most out of the program you can and pick your teachers’ brains! Trust me, once you learn it, you’ll find yourself on a whole different level in this field.
If you’re a TWS graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year), program, and campus name (Tulsa/Jacksonville/Houston/Dallas).
