well welding is not the only part of being a QC you have to know how to read blueprints and all the other tricks that come with being a fitter. after you check all the measurements then you get to the welding part of it.

Opportunity has a lot to do with where you are (I see SW Missouri) and what field you want to work in.  If you're looking to be a general QC inspector, the requirements vary between the different industries.  For example, if your company fabricates aircraft parts, you'll have to be familiar with not only your company's specifications, but those of your customers as well.  As previously stated, blueprint interpretation is a key skill.  Not just being able to read dimensions, but also follow notes, cross reference and research specifications, and sometimes determine the engineer's intent.  Other skills you may need include computer use, ability to accurately read various measuring tools, record and analyze statistics, interpret various code and specifications, and you have to be a little bit cold so that you can tell the welder that his work won't cut it, or tell the boss that the shop lost control of something that cost him a lot of money.  About the best advice that I can give you is don't take a QA job where you work for the production boss.  All you'll end up doing is compromising your own integrity.  As far as experience goes, there's 2 ways of looking at it.  The longer you spend on the floor as a welder the more likely you are to think of QA as a nuisance.  By the same token, the longer you spend trying to get your work bought off, the better you'll know what to look for when you have that stamp in your pocket.  Good luck, hope that helped a little.