Not 35 here, the other way around, 53!!! lol!

27 here.  Been in inspection for 7 years.  God, I'm nowhere near retirement.  Only 38 more years to go!!!!

Local14, I graduated high school the year you were born. I am not under 35 but I can still see 35 for at least 2 more months.

24 here and glad to see you on the forum. I cant tell you how much Ive learned from this. Its a vast pool of knowledge, have fun my friend.

I'm 42 but feel 25 every time I strike an arc!

Going on 41, got started at 18. The recent Nukes I've worked the QC department looked like a commercial for geritol or a Florida retirement home with the occassional salted youngen in the crowd (me). The NDE is catching up fast, and the welders have a bit more age spread.

Geeezzz Guys,
Man, I feel older than dirt reading your ages....I was 35 in 1978.... All in all, I wouldn't trade one of my past days, weeks, or years to be young again....I can truly say: "Been there...Done that"..... The education and wisdom I possess came from those before me who had the kindness and honor to TEACH.... It was I who was honored to work with and beside those fine men. Those were the welders who made me proud to wear the helmet and carry the moniker of a blue-collar tradesman, and skilled professional---A WELDER!!! I found so many superb personalities and genuinely honorable people who share their knowledge, understanding, and guidance since joining this forum. I hope I can help anyone, anytime, to become better at the vocation they choose....especially if it has to do with welding and manufacturing. I want to give as was given to me.....Denny

48 six days ago...........

To Local14 & norcalwelder,
Since you are a very young woman and young man, I can only provide some words of wisdom as guidance and perhaps a thought to retain in your minds' residual harddrive. Your desire for a career is only dependent on what you feel is the most satisfying and rewarding to you personally. Many like to work with their hands, to create, to manipulate, to re-configure, and to connect, and the feel of the tangible is so at home within your nature. You will find it or not. It takes a bit of time, and the wanting and the thought of what each tomorrow brings, will indeed be evident if you seek the skill and talent to become a welder. Those, like myself, know what it is to "feel" the metal we join and become one with the process. Don't allow those who demean or cast doubts on your ability, to induce doubt or the thought "it's too hard". Nothing is hard if you maintain a positive mindset and the acceptance that every mistake you will learn from, and will make you more determined to get better. Find the "Sensei" in the work environment and become his "grasshopper". I was the grasshopper many years before becoming the sensei, and the rewards are many. The only person who holds you back is YOU....Just go for it!......Denny

Gary: You're very welcome....hope I can help again sometime....

Hey Local14!

I am a "bit" older than you (43) but when I am allowed to say...

The AWS Forum and the really wonderful people here have given me so much since I have participated firstly, that it's hard for me to find words to express.

I have found colleagues here having more experience than can be found in any sagacious book in the world.

Any time I have the chance to have a deeper look into the posts I am devotional learning from all these great people, no matter if older or younger than me.

I am and I will ever be honestly grateful for having been "weldcome" (Henry!) as a foreign AWS-Member and been invited to humble participate in the forum!

I have learned some - yes - invaluable lessons here...

And I am sure you will see quickly this forum is incomparable with anything else in the world and a true treasure chest for everyone who is passioned in welding - and the personal age is... unimportant!

Best regards from Germany,
Stephan

25 here, I think I am the only one in my county that can even strike an arc under the age of 40.

27 here.

29 going on 30 here, still feel young with too much too learn and experience

I'm about to step into the workforce myself.

Nope, I'm 42 at the end of this month. Been here with this company for 22 years. I started here not too long after highschool, I was working here fulltime and going to college at night, plus holding down a part-time job selling autoparts. As far as approaching retirement age...well, even after I do reach that golden age, I expect that I will have to keep on going til I drop. All I've ever known is work, so I really can't see me doing anything else.

If you get this welding bug, I have to warn you, it gets in your blood and is there for life.

I'm 31, been working in the welding and manufacturing industry since I was 18. Graduated college with a degree in Welding Engineering and am currently employed as a Welding Engineer and CWI. Also run a small, mobile welding equipment repair business to help support my archery habit. Your right that most the welding work force is reaching retirement age. I try to promote welding to the younger people as much as I can. They need to understand that welding requires knowledge and skill and that it is a respectable trade and is a very much needed part of society.

25, My only Problem with all the learning is that the more I learn the more I realize how little I know. it seems to be a gap that increases exponentially. nonetheless it is my life.

cheers
HF

Hey Local14

I just turned 30 and have been playing with molten metal since I was 19--so you are up on me too!  Every one has said such glowing words about the forum there isnt much to add except that I agree with them all.  Absolutely gald to have another young woman on the site.  I work with a lady who started when she was nineteen in Houston, she showed me a picture today of her welding tantalum pipe with a rigged up rotater thing (the proper word escapes me)--it was taken in 1978.  She was chagrined to hear that I was only 1 at the time!!! 

Reb