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THE MUG 10
TEN QUESTIONS THAT UNLOCK REAL STORIES OF SUCCESS.
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AT A GLANCE
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I am able to make my patients feel comfortable and well cared for while using my analytical brain to give them the best dermatologic care possible.
In my mind, I can picture how things are going to go together backwards. I can visualize something put together.
WHAT IS YOUR
UNIQUE GENIUS?
how did you become interested in this career?
MY GRANDPA INTRODUCED ME TO WELDING
That would be my grandpa. I used to see pictures of all the stuff he would build—I wanted to be able to do that. I was really blessed because it was just me and my grandpa out there most of the time.
He helped me do a couple of projects that would start with my idea and he would help me figure out how to put it together. Then he started teaching me how to weld.
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IN WHAT WAYS IS THIS JOB
A PERFECT FIT FOR YOU?
I am a visual thinker.
I pay attention to details.
I am a communicator.
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Sometimes people call me dyslexic, which means I have things backwards. But, it actually works out really well for me. I can actually see something put together and done.
WHAT SKILLS DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT YOUR JOB?
PEOPLE SKILLS
People skills [and] learning how to talk to people. Learning how to become somebody's friend [because] that could lead to a project down the road—which happens a lot. Communication with your clients is huge, too. You don't want to leave people hanging or guessing or wondering what's going on.
I am able to make my patients feel comfortable and well cared for while using my analytical brain to give them the best dermatologic care possible.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER?
DON'T DOUBT YOURSELF
I would have not even thought twice about a lot of things. I feel like I might be a little bit further ahead if I didn't have so much doubt with the people who are negative in my life. I was told maybe I couldn't do this, or I couldn't do that, or having a welding fabrication company wasn't what [I] should do if [I] want to be successful.
I am able to make my patients feel comfortable and well cared for while using my analytical brain to give them the best dermatologic care possible.
IN YOUR BODY OF WORK, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
TAKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE INDUSTRY
I'm most proud of my family and doing what I love to do everyday.
WHAT'S 1 THING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND ABOUT YOUR JOB?
PERFECTION TAKES PRACTICE
I know [welding] looks easy because I can do it pretty easily. But it took a long time for me to get there. There's a lot of practice, a lot of time I spent learning, a lot of questions I asked, and a lot of help I got from friends.
There's also a lot of costs like having the whole setup in a shop. Some people might complain [about cost], but it takes all this stuff to do that. If [people] understood everything it took just to get to that, maybe they wouldn't feel like that.
INDUSTRY STATISTICS
WELDER
PROJECTED GROWTH
Projected Growth: 2-3%
Projected Openings: 47,600
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY RANGE
$31,350-$63,660
TOP SKILLS FOR THIS JOB
Relationship-Building
Visual Thinking
Innovation
Project Design
Communication
Operating Machinery
Building
People Skills
Planning
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Wear Protective Equipment
Hands-on
Operating Machinery
Time Pressure
Face-to-Face Discussions
Accuracy
TRAINING + DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED usually needed