Personally, I would urge you to apply for an apprenticeship with the UA. That would be a long term move that would prepare you for a good career. You would learn about the trade from the ground up and you would have an opportunity to learn to use other welding processes besides SMAW. You would work with different alloys, i.e., carbon steel, stainless, maybe a little nickel, and you would have an opportunity to travel if that's your long term goal.
Best regards - Al
I served an apprenticeship through the UA Pipefitters union, and then worked as a union pipefitter for 30 years. Their apprenticeship is definitely a golden opportunity if you can get in, the kids graduating here in Utah have an Associate's degree in Construction Management, are certified plumbers, and certified welders. The benefits through the union are outstanding. Keep in mind this will get you into commercial and industrial work, not pipelines. If pipelines are where you want to go (I am actually one of the few members of my union that did this kind work occasionally) you will pretty much need to start out as a helper and work your way up, whether you are in the union or not. Those guys make a lot of money, but are never home and have to supply their own rig.