How to break out as an instructor

Date 02-08-2012 21:21

I don't know where you live, but around here S.E. MN/N.E. IA you could walk in to just about any Community College with a Weld Lab and tell them you are interested in teaching a night course and you're in.

Contact the Job Training center in your area and tell them you are interested.

Contact the United Way.

Contact the Small Business Admin.

Go to my website, www.pwcameron.com, on the left hand side of the screen you'll see a link for Welder Training. You are welcome to any of it.

Contact Lincoln Electric and tell them you are interested in their "No Teacher Left Behind" program

If this is what you want to do, your time has arrived.

PWC

By ctacker (****)

Date 02-09-2012 02:21 Edited 02-09-2012 02:41

Looking at your website your prequalified AWS-D1.1-3G procedure calls for a globular Transfer vertical, Globular transfer is usually reserved for flat and horizontal positions. you sure your not getting a short circuit transfer, in which a prequalified WPS isn't allowed?
Edit:I see your wire speeds are up there, but a vertical and overhead(your AWS-D1.1-4G) Globular transfer seems a bit odd.

By PWCameron (**)

Date 02-09-2012 13:55

ctacker- "Edit:I see your wire speeds are up there, but a vertical and overhead(your AWS-D1.1-4G) Globular transfer seems a bit odd."

PWC - Yes, Globular transfer. I say fire up a machine and give it a whirl. I believe they are written using straight Co2 (I don't have them in front of me). Where does that transition occure using an 0.035 wire and straight Co2? Just curious.

You don't have to use my WPS's... write your own. Make them specific to what you teach. This is what I teach. These are the conditions industries in my area request. I've done so many acceptable PQR's at these weld settings it would make your hair grey (it has mine).

The information is being offered out of the kindness of my heart, love of the industry and understanding of how tough it can be to be an instructor in a system that "doesn't have it in the budget". Again... don't like it? Don't use it.

When my son hands me a Christmas gift and it's a bottle of Old Spice should I look him in the eye and say, "Thanks son, but I like Brut."

PWC

By ctacker (****)

Date 02-10-2012 02:31

Paul,
I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, and I am not an educator nor do I intend to use your WPS. (I was just browsing your site when I noticed your WPS with the mode of transfer and positions)
I am not a GMAW guru either, Its Just I have been Taught that Globular transfer is a glob that falls into the weld joint, and with that I have a hard time seeing how that can happen in a vertical or overhead weld. Esabs website also states " Globular transfer occurs when the drops of metal are quite large and move toward the weld pool under the influence of gravity."

I apologize for the Hijack of the thread and I don't want to get into a pissing match over it. But I'm open to being educated (through a PM or another thread)

Regards,
Carl

By PWCameron (**)

Date 02-10-2012 03:02

No big thang. I made those for training proposes only. They work to teach kids what a WPS is all about.
IMHO: If instructors used more WPS's for the welds the students do the kids will soon learn that setting a weld machine isn't just a crap shoot. There is actually an "optimum" range for WFS and Voltage.
I'm not dissin' instructors on this site... I only know the programs I've been exposed to. Most have been taught by someone who couldn't pass the Welder Qual tests they attempted to teach others.

It frustrates me. I'm passionate about welding. That probably sounds weird.
PWC

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 02-09-2012 18:11

Paul has given you great advice.

Getting to know the local instructors and finding out what kind of help they need is a perfect first step. Networking with your local AWS section folks is also a priority.

Find out what is taught at your local colleges and make sure you can demonstrate everything they teach.

For a faculty position you will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills and it is good to have strong office skills in order to do curriculum work and presentations via powerpoint etc.

Part time (adjunct) instructors traditionally have an advantage when a full time post becomes available, so getting your foot in the door can be important. Part time instructors don't make much money, so it will have to be for love of the game and investment in your future..

Teaching part time will also give you a feel for the work and responsibilities instructor actually has. It's a good way to try teaching out without giving up your current situation. Don't do it if you don't love it, cause it won't make you rich.

By jpill

Date 02-09-2012 20:29

Truer words have never been spoken. I teach both at the HS level and at the Junior College level. I will add that there are many more hats to wear at the HS level. You will not only be a teacher, but a mentor, father figure, counselor, sometimes a doctor or nurse, hard ass, and maybe the only person clapping and screaming at a graduation. The money is not in teaching but the rewards for helping kids are.

By bcostanzo Date 03-13-2012 15:43

Do you use the SENSE curriculum? I am a HS teacher and I am interested in it, but I do not know anyone using it. Is it worth the money and can kids really get a job with the certificate?

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 03-13-2012 21:16

Kids get jobs with skills, certificates are nice, but it's the ability to test weld for a job interview that is going to do the trick.

SENSE costs VERY little for what you get out of it.

Especially good is the SENSE curriculum guide, which helps many HS teachers who are not professional welders, WPS's are provided as well as technical manuals and good support for instructors.

By Blaster (***)

Date 02-10-2012 00:07

Good advice. I have a tip about PT instruction. It is a great way to get your foot in the door but some guys screw it up when they give it a go. After being used to working at an hourly rate, many new PT instructors think that because their part time contract pays them by the instructional hour, that that is all the time they should be expected to work. In teaching there is also required preparation, which usually isn't paid.

I would recommend planning on working several extra hours for each class session you have been assigned. There are lessons to plan, papers to grade, homework to generate and assign, materials to source, equipment to repair, facility improvements to be made, and so-on. Those things are just part of the job. Of course if it isn't in your contract you don't have to do it, but many who don't will find themselves without a teaching job in the next quarter.

In addition to technical competence, the real keys to being a good instructor are organizational and leadership skills. A smart applicant for a teaching job will be sure emphasize that they understand this, and provide examples of how they have prepared to meet those needs.

By Billyboy (*)

Date 02-10-2012 14:24

Thank you, all of you, for the great advise. I think I will do some more research on the pay scale in my area and the availability of work before pulling the trigger on something like this. A part time class would be a great way to see if this is truly the direction I want to go with my career. Would make for some serious hours worked, though. I guess you get out of life what you put in it! Do the majority of colleges require a degree to teach?