Page 17 - HIWT Fall 2011 World of Welding

hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

off to a Good start

By Janet Piechocki

Joe O’Flaherty graduated from the Combination
Structural and Pipe Welding Program at Hobart
Institute of Welding Technology on May 22, 2009
and took a job working for Northrop Grumman
Shipyards [now Huntington Ingalls Industries] in
Pascagoula, MS. His father and mother Don and
Helen O’Flaherty fully supported his decision to
begin a career down south and far away from his
home in Dresden, Ohio.

Joe learned a lot there and loved his job, but when
the Navy contract was completed earlier this
year, Joe was laid off. He could have stayed in
Pascagoula for a few months and awaited recall to
return to work, but he chose to come home to Ohio
to be near his family.
Joe applied to work at Columbia Gas of Ohio.
There were only two positions open and a few
hundred people applied for those positions. But Joe
remained hopeful and was pleased to get the job. Joe O’Flaherty
He began his new job the last week of March.

Joe was told afterwards that he carried himself well through
the interview and it’s not that common to see such a young Show Your
person handle themselves as well as he did. Clearly, the Student ID for
formal education Joe received from the Hobart Institute, 10% Discount!
his job experience at the shipyard, and his outgoing, mature Gases • Welding Supplies
personality has contributed greatly to his success. As a newly
hired employee, Joe is still in the learning phases of his Celebrating 91 Years In The Miami Valley
position as he works to repair parts.
Your Complete, One Stop
Recently, Joe returned to his alma mater, Tri-Valley High Welding Supply Center
School in Dresden, Ohio, where he spoke with his former
teacher Michael Rauch and the current students about Six Locations to Serve You Better:
opportunities offered at Hobart Institute. I was present
and was excited to see how much Joe has matured since he Dayton Moraine Richmond, IN
completed training at Hobart. We wish Joe much success as 324 E Second St 2865 Main St 5 East Main St
he enters his new position and pursues his career in welding. 937-222-8312 937-299-9293 765-966-9353
Piqua Springfield Fairfield
8598 Industry Pk Dr 403 W Columbia Ave 3225 Profit Dr
937-778-9353 937-323-6408 513-874-9353
To learn more about Hobart Institute, including the Combination
Structural and Pipe Welding Program, or to take a tour, contact Open 7:30 - 5:00 M-F & 8:00 - Noon Saturday
Admissions Representative Janet.Piechocki@welding.org or Can’t Come In? Call in your order and we
call 1-800-332-9448 ext. 5051. will ship it UPS!
1-800-526-9353 or
www.weilerwelding.com

17