TWS is a Great Training Option for Everyone
Learn more about how we can prepare you to advance your career.
Terrence, 20, from Lake City, Florida, completed the seven-month Professional Welder program at Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville in August 2025. 
Thanks for sharing your story, Terrence. Did you go to Tulsa Welding School straight out of high school?
It was actually about six months after. I finished high school in late May 2024 and started welding school in January 2025. I already had welding experience because my dad is a welder; I grew up welding in construction with him. He still wanted me to go to trade school, but he taught me the dos and don’ts of different processes. I also got my AWS certification while welding in high school.
That’s cool. If welding was already your path, why did you wait before enrolling?
Have You Considered a Career in the Skilled Trades?
Fill out the form to recieve a no obligation info packet.
So, out of high school I got a welding job with Fierce Steel Structures – a local fab shop here in Lake City; we traveled from Lake City to a job in Tennessee every two or three weeks. We built steel structures – sometimes 180 feet in the air – welding stick and doing structural work, so that was real good experience.
TWS actually came to my high school to recruit us, but I wanted to feel out the school and open up my options a little before jumping straight in. There was another school I was considering, but Tulsa Welding School stood out more, especially since it was closer to home and I wouldn’t have to travel as far.
Did you have to quit that job to go to school?
No, I kept working, just locally instead of traveling. I worked from 4.30am until Noon and then went to school in the afternoons and evenings. I’d often do double shifts at school; do my afternoon class and then stay on practicing until close. I’d often be there from 1pm to 11pm. I’d stay as long as they let me.
What did you enjoy most about the program overall?
New: Industrial Maintenance
Learn About Our New Advanced Industrial Maintenance Program
Tulsa Welding School is proud to announce our newest program offering available at our Houston & Dallas Metro Campuses – Advanced Industrial Maintenance Technology! Learn the skills you need to take on the industries of manufacturing, distribution, energy production and facility maintenance in as few as 7 months.
It felt like one big family. You could count on everybody – instructors, staff, classmates. If you had a problem, someone would help you figure it out. You always knew someone had your back.
You had welding experience going in. Was the program still challenging?
Yes, it was tough at times. Some days everything clicks, and other days you wonder if you can do anything right! Welding can be like that – you have to really lock in and focus. You’ve got to tune everything else out and pay attention to what you’re doing. Don’t get distracted from the weld you’re trying to do.
Were you able to use your experience to help other students?
Yes, a lot of students came to me before going to the instructor since I was working right next to them in the aisle. They’d look at my weld, and I’d look at theirs, then suggest adjusting their amps, or talk about their weld speed, arc distance – just small critiques to help them improve.
Did you ever help someone who was close to quitting school?
There was one guy during the Stick phase who was getting frustrated with his root pass; he was ready to pack up. I said, “Hey, hold on. Take a breath. You feel me? I’m going to help you with the root. I’m going to give you something that I learned that was easier for me, let’s see if it works for you. If it doesn’t, I’ll help you figure it out a different way.” He walked away for a few minutes, then I showed him the technique that worked for me, and he followed along. It came out the way he wanted, and he got his confidence back. I liked being able to help people.
Good for you. After graduation in August, did you stay with Fierce Steel?
No, four days after finishing class I moved to Indiana and started working for Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company. We build trains from the ground up. Career Services arranged for them to come to the school; I did a weld test for them, passed, and got selected to come work for them. I’m a welder fabricator. My dad works for a Caterpillar company too back home, so I can always go to a different Cat player at some point.
Sounds great, Are you happy with the pay?
Yes, I am. I got a pretty good pay rise from my old job. They also pay a little bit more for overnight differential which makes working nights more worthwhile.
What’s your schedule like?
Right now, I work Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. I’ve been getting a lot of overtime – I’m doing around 62 hours a week. So, I’m alright with the schedule for now, but eventually I’d like to go back to the early morning starts because I’m an early bird anyway.
What’s your career plan from here?
I’ll probably stay here for a couple of years to build more experience in different parts of the field. After that, I’d like to go work the pipeline with my dad. He works for Ring Power, and he does drag line/pipeline work back home in Lake City. They are another Caterpillar company, so I should be able to move pretty easily when the time comes.
What draws you to pipeline work?
It’s the type of welding I like. I prefer stick welding. At my current job, I do a lot of MIG, which I’m not as big on. With stick, I feel like I have more control. It’s just my preference.
Would you like working with your dad?
Yes, I’ve worked with him before, so it wouldn’t be hard. He’s been welding since he was 16 – over 30 years now – so I’ve learned a lot from him. It would be cool to work with my dad again now I’m not a kid anymore.
What do you enjoy most about being a welder?
Right now, working here at Progress Rail, it’s the thrill of making something real – something people will ride in or rely on. Knowing that you built something that helps people get from place to place – that’s what motivates me. Welding feels like I’m doing something meaningful or worthwhile, making a difference.
Do you stay in touch with your TWS classmates or maintain those connections?
Yes, we have group chats, but everyone works different schedules so it’s hard to catch up. But some classmates have offered me opportunities in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas for pipeline work. It’s good to build connections in this field. As we say, it’s better to get numbers and then make friends with those numbers, then those numbers can help move you along in this field.
What’s the biggest piece of advice you’d give some about to start at Tulsa Welding School?
Hit it hard and grind it out. Don’t let all the little stuff make you mad, don’t let small frustrations get to you. Learn from those little things, stay focused, and keep grinding hard. You’ll get there one day…even if it doesn’t feel like it some days!
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).
