Got the same problem down here in Louisiana seems like all shipyard work. Where I work it's pretty much a shipyard and I'm in the same boat looking for something different. You may want to check out rigzone.com

If you live in Norfolk VA, seems to me you are going to do something related to shipbuilding. If there are companies in your area that do different things than shipbuilding, see what they need. But I am going to venture the training you are getting as a student is slanted toward heavy steel fabrication. A similar issue would be living in Houston TX and not wanting to work in the energy industry. Yes there are companies that do things in Houston that do things outside the energy business, but you have to look for them.
And there is always the option of working for yourself. There are always gates and fences to be built, boats needing repaired, stuff fabricated. You can hit a Tractor Supply or Northern Tools and pick up a gasoline welder for $3K, get a cutting torch, some bottles, hand tools in a tool box and you are in business.
You might be surprised how many people are willing to pay someone to stick things together for them.
Just an idea. Think other than who can I weld for and more what can I weld to make money.

I really want to work for NASA one day but right now i want to work for Liebherr i took the test months ago when i had only started out in flux at school. i did so poorly. I relized alot by taken that test. Tidewater community college was not using thick enough metal to train us. another thing we never used a tape measure in school. also at Liebherr i used a old machine now i know a welder should be able to weld on any machine but i was useto a new machine. where can i learn skills not taught to me by tcc so i can pass this test.