Page 6 - Spring2019

A Trade for a Lifetime

Written by Jeffrey Suagee-Beauduy with Janet Piechocki

Jeff Suagee-Bodey graduated phone were both professional and polite and answered all of my
from Hobart Institute of Welding questions. I just had a gut feeling HIWT was my best option.
Technology in August of 2015
and began a career with the In the fnal months of the ten-month program, I was very
fortunate that Janet Piechocki, one of the Career Development
Plumbers & Pipeftters Local Representatives for HIWT, was able to help open the door for me
10 in Roanoke, VA. Recently he to take a weld test with Plumbers & Steamftters Local Union 10
received a plaque displaying in Roanoke, VA. When I arrived at Local 10s apprenticeship school
his completion of their
apprenticeship. Jeffs story I was nervous and anxious to the point, I thought I was going to
have to call an exterminator to help rid myself of the butterfies in
of how he began his career my stomach. As I walked through the doors of the school I met the
in welding is a testament to Business Manager at L.U. 10, Steve S. Martin. To my surprise he
his perseverance in learning a was the man that was going to test me in not just pipe welding, but
trade that will reward him for a
lifetime. in all the aspects of the things I had learned at HIWT, along with life
lessons that I have learned from working with people. The welding
Before I began my welding test was a very eye opening experience to me.
career I worked numerous Steve was tough and at times seemed to be overwhelming with his
minimum wage jobs, with each job being different than the next. I questions and his demands. I had burned a little over ten pounds
was twenty-four and still trying to fgure out what I was going to do of welding wire on a one hundred degree day in the elements that
with the rest of my life. the great state of Virginia had to offer (humidity was 90%). At the
The initial spark concerning welding came when I was housesitting conclusion of the welding test I can honestly say Steve was very
for a friend in Arizona. My friends next-door neighbor asked if I tough but was also very fair. He only demanded from me the best I
could watch his house the following week when he and his family could possibly show.
went on vacation. He invited me over for a house tour and as we
walked into the garage, I noticed a small Miller welding machine As I was wrapping up my welding leads Steve approached me and
congratulated me for passing the weld tryouts. He commended me
sitting on his workbench, which led to a conversation that ultimately on the knowledge I picked up from Hobart Institute and also my grit
changed my life. After he returned from his family vacation, and aptitude for hanging in there for an eight-hour day. (I was under
we developed a rapport and camaraderie to the point he felt the impression that it was more like a sixteen-hour day, but what
comfortable working with me a couple days a week stacking dimes
on a piece of aluminum plate. do I know). Steve offered me a spot into Local 10s apprenticeship
program, and an opportunity to weld test for a contractor that
As my new friend worked with me to enhance my skillset, he had secured work at a nuclear power plant. At this point I was
recommended that I watch a couple YouTube videos from Welding wondering if this guy had been standing out in the sun too long so
Tips and Tricks produced by Jody Collier for videos on welding. I asked the question, Do you feel that I am prepared to take a pipe
These videos fueled my desire for more information on how to welding test at a nuclear facility? His reply was one that I will
become the best welder that I could possibly be. As I watched never forget. He said, If you dont want the job, get in your vehicle
Jodys videos I noticed information regarding the Hobart Institute and drive back to those dead end jobs. If you do want the job, pack
for Welding Technology. At the time I did not know you could go to your bag and head up the road.
school for welding, and now I was intrigued. At this point I knew deep down in my heart that I had obtained the
Coincidentally, a few weeks later a relative mailed me a letter necessary knowledge to work towards becoming a journeyman
with a newspaper article which described the current high demand pipeftter and pipe welder. Not only was I successful on my weld
for craftsman in all the trades. The article stated that for the past test for that very same contractor, I am proud to say three years
decade or more the majority of high school graduates had been later I have successfully completed my apprenticeship through Local
going off to college to earn four-year degrees. Meanwhile, the 10 and now have my journeymans card and license. Looking back at
job market now desperately needed quality craftsman, such as my career from start to fnish, it went by as fast as a cool evening
electricians, carpenters, ironworkers, boilermakers, millwrights and breeze. Not to say there were not a couple hills and valleys in my
pipeftters. The highest demand however was for welders, and lustrous career but every second and every dime spent was well
more specifcally for pipe welders. worth it.
I wanted to start a career with a long-term demand that had plenty Attending HIWT gave me the opportunity to learn a very marketable
of options for employment. The month after reading that article I skillset, which opened the door for my welding career to advance
enrolled in the Combination Structural & Pipe welding program at with LU 10. Upon joining the union, my quality of life has improved
HIWT. Choosing HIWT over other welding schools was based on the exponentially and my self-esteem is at an all time high. I now feel
fact that Hobart Institute is the worlds top welding school according as if I am a contributing member to society. Most importantly I have
to my research. Additionally, the school website was very easy to excellent health insurance and retirement benefts in a career I
navigate, and the personnel in the front offce I spoke with over the thoroughly enjoy. I feel truly blessed to be where I am now.

2019 SPRING ISSUE - 6 - www.welding.org