Hey pipes,
Yes, you're right, it is different for everybody in their career choices, type of welding they find favor, and if the open road presents a challenge and satisfaction they find fulfilling. I believe we all find the niche we savor and look forward to doing each day, and that's how we know what endeavor we WANT and CHOOSE to do in our working lifestyle. I burned my first rod at 15 at my uncles' Harley shop and he taught me oxy/acet. with coathangers. Made me produce sound welds by learning the characteristics of metal.
Really got into welding after my military commitment and back into civilian life and found great satisfaction, desire, and curiosity in the production arena of manufacturing. Worked in machine/fab shops, equip. mfg., and thru careful probing of the senior workers knowledge base, managed to enhance my own experience. Learned every application of welding I could, took a few evening classes that were available, and side jobs to keep a constant touch with welding.
For me, and many others here, nothing compares to metal....shapes, size, thicknesses, alloy....cutting, grinding, drilling/tapping, bending, beveling, deburring, polishing, fitting, and then....WELDING....Stick, MIG, TIG, Oxy/Acet., SAW, Plasma, Resistance, Induction, and Laser. The world of metal is so fascinating.....and I know the woodworkers may challenge us as far as individual operations, but we each have a love of a base material. You know you're really hooked when every manufactured item you purchase you first check the welds before anything, and every structure you pass you look at the welded joints.
There are youngsters who hunger, as we did, to have someone experienced just take a bit of time and TEACH....technique, do's/dont's, quality, safety, perseverance, and the mindset of always a positive outlook no matter what the circumstances. Personally, I love to pass on my knowledge and help a youngster get started....why keep all that knowledge locked away? Who benefits when you're gone and all that knowledge gets wasted into oblivion? Who could have used some of that knowledge to further their learning and possibly become another Edison of tomorrow? Enough rambling....just hope some of the more "senior" gents, like myself, give a little, just a little, to help one of those promising youngsters. You will see who they are.....they will find you.....Denny