Unclematt, Congratulations!
and welcome to "the club". Now the real horror begins! You will soon discover that as a CWI, you have just become ("expected" to be anyways) the Guru of all welding prosesses and procedures (and YES, you are expected to be master manipulator of molten metal), instructor, engineer, metallurgist, draftsman/detailer, advice columnist, etc.
All joking aside, being a CWI is a remarkable, challenging and fascinating carreer move without equal. I see it as an engineering job you are qualified by certification to perform with out the B.S. degree (although this would be of immense benefit) and has the potential to reap finacial rewards above and beyond mere mortal welders.
Link up from the posts in this forum (many of the classifieds even state they will accept "green CWI's) and get your reume out through the QC oriented search engines. Hopefully you can find a position under the guidance of a mentor. Rare is the individual who can instantly make the transition from Craftsman to Inspector efficiently.
Like any leap into a new profession, you're going to have to pay your dues to excell. With a "professional attitude" as considered the greatest attribute, you will gain the respect of your peers, help produce better, safer products and make your mark in the industry.
1)Never quote the code without the book open to that page, 2)walk fast, 3)act concerned and 4)don't say any thing stupid (see rule 1). BTW, I'm good at violating rule 4!
Seriously again, try to get as much additional training and certifications in any and everything ie. NDE, ICC, NACE, API, etc.
Best of luck to you on your new and exciting career path.
John
unclematt,
With your experience I would try Northwest natural gas, Northwest pipeline, the pipeline union in Tualiton, Oregon iron works, or Harder Mechanical.
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