
Gotta Start Somewhere: First Welding Job Stories
From WELD by Weld.com
May 11, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 246
About this episode
This episode shares first welding job stories from various welders, highlighting the lessons learned and the importance of experience over pay.
Your first welding job might not be the cleanest, highest-paying, or most glamorous job, but it can teach you more than school ever could. If you’re fresh out of welding school, getting ready to apply, or trying to figure out how to land your first real welding job, this episode gives you real stories from welders who have been there. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to get your foot in the door even when you don’t have years of welding experience yet • Why your first job may involve more grinding, helping, and learning than actual welding at first • What real welders learned after leaving school and stepping into shops, fabrication work, pressure vessels, aluminum, and field repairs • How taking a chance on the right opportunity can open jobs you didn’t even know were possible, including overseas welding work • Why finding the right people, mentors, and work environment can shape the direction of your welding career This episode brings together some of Beau’s favorite first welding job stories from past WELD Podcast guests, including Liv Taylor Dodge, Austin Hargett, Nate Bowman, Donny Spara, Korissa Morgan, Jonathon Herrera, EJ Naegeli, Brett Fenning, and Keenan Maines…
People in this episode
Host: Beau Wigington
Guests: Liv Taylor Dodge, Austin Hargett, Nate Bowman, Donny Spara, Korissa Morgan, Jonathon Herrera, EJ Naegeli, Brett Fenning, Keenan Maines
Topics covered
- first welding job
- welding experience
- career development
- mentorship
- job opportunities
- welding stories
Keywords
- welding
- first job
- career
- experience
- mentors
- opportunities
- stories
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