When I was back in mechanic school this ol' timey teacher told us, "When you get out in the shop turning wrenches find the oldest fart mechanic in the place, get to know him and pick his brain for everything he has. When you've learned everything you can, move to the next oldest fart". Don't be afraid to ask, or ask again to understand what they want, how it's done. If you do something wrong, guess what, all of us have. I've cost employers money when I was a green tech, you don't want to but employers know your learning....just try not to do it. Use common sense, take initiative. We worked with a guy who was a helper. Worst helper in the world, you had to ask him for everything, "hand me another rod", "hand me the grinder", "hand me the brush". Repetative measurements had to be told to him over and over......and over again, over 30 times, same 2 measurements and he always had to ask...."how long?". Seemed the only thing he was good at was circling the jobox and drinking gatorades. You can look ahead, you see your mentor is finishing up a weld, have the brush ready, or the grinder. It's kinda like having a crystal ball, thinking ahead. I suppose I could go on and on about what to do but once you get out in the shop and get comfortable it'll come to you.
I'll second the good pair of boots, I've learned that from my wrenching days and a company like Liebherr will most likely foot the bill for the boots once a year. Check out the thread,
http://www.americanweldingsociety.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=26674a few guys posted some websites to American made boot companies. That concrete will flat out kill knees and feet standing on it all day long. If your out in the dirt and muck like me, it's a lot easier. Good luck Leighann!! Enjoy it!! Your one of America's newest ugly step children....your a Welder!!!
Shawn