Approach fabricators and shops in your area and tell them you would like to intern with them. As an intern you won't collect a pay check, although a few manufacturers pay their interns a small stipend, but you will gain the experience you seek. It is not unheard of that the manufacturer hires the intern if they are impressed with the individual’s talents and work ethic.
You need to show up on time, be clean shaven, no smokes or other tobacco products, dress appropriately for the interview, sit up straight in the chair if you are sitting, look at the interviewer when listening or responding to a question, and show interest in the manufacturer's product line. If the company agrees to take you on as an intern be ready and willing to perform any assigned tasks without complaint. These are points in your favor or they can count against you if you fail to take heed. Small things go a long way in making a good impression. Leave the body jewelry at home and cover the body art when interviewing for the position and during working hours. What you may consider trendy will not impress your prospective employer.
I attempted to bring my nephew into the world of NDT. He did fine the first couple of jobs he assisted me with. Then he decided to show up in a tank top so everyone could see his tattoos and sporting a pink goatee and pink hair. That was the last job I took him on. I told him that he represented my company when he was on the job with me. I didn’t have time to train someone that was interested in being a sideshow attraction. There are circuses that hire people that want to be clowns. The lesson, don’t be the sideshow attraction. Be a professional.
Develop a resume that you can leave with each company you visit. Since you have not accrued a work history, accentuate the jobs you have held (they show the interviewer you have a work ethic) and the courses and training you have completed while you were attending school. Run it through a “spell checker” and ask your instructor or guidance counselor to proof read it for you. Remember to thank the person that interviews you even if they are not interested (their interest can change in a week or two) and shake their hand upon leaving their facility. One last point: make sure your resume has your current contact information so they can contact you at a later date.
Good luck.
Best regards – Al
My first welding job, I told them I would work for free haha, I figured Im useless with no experience. They ended up giving me $10 a hour to sweep floors. But they taught me to weld and to build race cars. Turned out to be the beginning of a racing fabrication career for the next 6 years. Took be to Baja and all over. Amazing what putting yourself out there can do.
No one rejects a free labor offer haha
https://www.steel-careers.com/job/fittersfabricators/
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