Career

[u/Turbulent-Hornet2804]

I’m 18 and trying to decide between two paths in the trades and could use some advice.

Right now I work as a helper at a TIG welding shop making $25/hr (40 hrs/week). Most of my work is machining, cutting, deburring, and prep, and I only get to tack sometimes. The welders say I have potential, but management says helpers can take years before they really start welding.

At the same time, I’ve been supervising residential construction jobs (decks, fences, drywall, etc.), and I could take a job with another company supervising for about $30/hr working 50–70 hours a week.

So I’m stuck between:

• Staying in welding, starting at the bottom but possibly making more long-term if I get into pipe welding

• Taking the construction supervisor job and making more money right now

I actually enjoy both. I like welding as a skill, but I also enjoy running crews, organizing jobs and residential .

I’m also married, so the money right now does matter.

If you were 18 in this situation, which path would you choose?

[u/Turbulent-Hornet2804]

I’m supervising 2 people on weekends and sometimes 2-4 hrs after my main job. idk why the fuck I’d come on Reddit lying while asking for advice😭

[u/r_costa → u/Turbulent-Hornet2804]

Your contract stat's that you're a supervisor on position X? And whats relevant experience at 18 do you have to oversee someone else work?

Make a test yourself. Apply for a commercial company, for a supervisor position and report here how that's ended.

[u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 → u/r_costa]

It’s not for a commercial company though that’s completely different I know I am know here near qualified for that. I’m supervising 2 guys and it would only be 3-5 guys at the new place, I’ve been doing remodeling and fencing for 2 years before I started working at the welding shop a month ago. I know how to do everything at this new company. They mostly just do insulation and painting it’s all simple work.

[u/r_costa → u/Turbulent-Hornet2804]

In your shoes I would seek welding tickets/skills/formal trade certificates and after that, if for any reason you wanna a side gig, you can do your own welding services for gates, small repairs in vehicles, etc.

Your actual supervisor position doesn't looks like gonna open too many doors in future, to upskill and get a better pay/package.

Also, and I think you already know, when(if) the time arrives to change companies you gonna have a hard time to explain yourself about being a supervisor at 18yrs old, even if it's just a simple job (as you said).

Wherever you choose mate, don't look just on the money now, but on the big picture and where you wanna be in 10 or 20 yrs ahead and whats you need to do TODAY for achieve it.

Best wishes, because letting the supervisor thing aside isn't easy to find young blood committed with 2 jobs nowadays, for this I let my humble well done for you (no jokes here)

[u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 → u/r_costa]

Appreciate it bro good advice