Page 6 - HIWT Fall 2015 World of Welding

College Was Not For Me

By Nathan Ryan

In 2013, after moving back to Boulder, CO from living abroad, I was could wait around another year before making some things happen.
stuck in a rut. I had a dead-end job working as a line-cook in a Anthony told me fat out that if I wanted to become the best welder
sub-par restaurant. I quit college after two years because it just I could possibly become, I needed to look into The Hobart Institute.
wasnt for me. I was happy enough skateboarding and enjoying Anthony went to a great welding school back in Vermont, but he
the Colorado outdoors on the rare off days, but I was mostly bored told me that everyone he knew that attended Hobart was a step
and realized I needed something more. Thats when I ran into my above the average entry-level welders. Unlike the local community
old high school friend Anthony. Him and I grew up together in college welding program, Hobart offered titanium-welding
Vermont and he happened to be visiting his sister in Colorado when classessomething I was most interested in.
I called him to catch up. We met up for drinks the next day and
in our conversation he told me about his experience with welding To make a long story short, 10 months later, on the 1st of November
school. I have always been interested in welding, especially since I of last year, I landed at Dayton International Airport. I had no idea
work on cars and motorcyclesit seemed like it would be a handy what to expect walking through the doors at The Hobart Institute
skill. It gave me the idea to check out the local community colleges for orientation, but I quickly learned the ropes and got comfortable.
welding program. As it turned out, the welding program was a From the frst blueprint reading class up to my fnal class, I could
2-year endeavor and had a one-year waiting list. I didnt think I not be happier with all the experiences Hobart offered. I originally
came to Hobart intending to complete the 5-month
Structural program, but shortly after decided to
switch to the 9 month Pipe and Structural program.
Im glad that I did, because getting those extra four
months of welding experience has been a huge
learning curb for me. Honestly, there were times
when I felt inadequate compared to the other, more
experienced welders in my class. The instructors
and other students, however, were 100% supportive
and helpful throughout the whole experience.

Moving out to Ohio without any prior knowledge of
the town of Troy or the institutes campus was not
easy. Getting out of my comfort zoneas boring
as it wasand leaving behind my friends, my
awesome girlfriend, and everything I had become
accustomed to was a shock. But Troy turned out to
be a great little town. The people are friendly and
there are plenty of things for students to do on the
weekends and after school. I even joined the local
blacksmithing club in town (turns out blacksmithing
helped me tremendously for understanding metals
and welding). I realized, for the frst time in my life
I found something I really enjoyed doing, something
I was really good at and that could open up doors
to a useful career. Not only is welding fun, its a
skillset with seemingly gainful opportunities.

If I had just one thing to say to anyone considering a
trade school, I would say to go for it. In our day and
age there is a high demand for skilled tradesmen
that schools like The Hobart Institute provide solid
training for. Hobart isnt the only incredible trade
school out there, but I can attest to its quality and
would highly recommend it to anyone interested.
The level of professionalism and unique classes
that Hobart offers makes it a step above the rest.

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