How Welders Can Build a Career Without a College Degree
About this episode
Justin LaFond shares insights on building a successful welding career without a college degree.
Justin LaFond built a welding career the hard way — through shop work, sales, field experience, and learning how to solve problems most people overlook. If you’re a welder trying to figure out your next move, avoid expensive career mistakes, or understand what opportunities exist beyond the booth, this episode gives you a real-world look at where welding can take you. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Justin went from welding in a family shop to becoming a field application engineer at ESAB • Why the lack of a college degree became a challenge — and how experience, reputation, and networking helped him move forward • What simple shop issues cause the most welding problems, including liners, feedability, ground clamps, and overlooked consumables • Why auto-set machines and simplified welding technology can help shops but also leave welders without the fundamentals • How different regions of the U.S. offer different welding opportunities, from manufacturing and shipyards to pipe, tanks, heavy equipment, and structural work Justin LaFond is a field application engineer with ESAB who brings a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective from years in welding, fabrication…
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