I've been kinda quiet on here. Life is going pretty well.
I never graduated from my recent classes. I kept going round and round with the administration as the school about using credits from my former degree (I used to be a software engineer) toward the welding program. I kept getting different answers and then at the end, no one wanted to claim responsibility and give me a solid answer. That said, I never completed general education courses.
I did however, get my certification. At that point, I decided that since it's not a professional job but rather skilled.... screw it. I took my certification and left almost a year ago.
I went to work as a temp this summer at a concrete company. We manufacture large beams, columns, walls, staircases, etc from concrete. My jobs vary from making and altering steel concrete forms or welding together steel substructures for reinforcement internally.
I'm not getting paid nearly as much as when I was in software, but I do have future plans that will make this more secure in time. Baby steps... baby steps.
I know I've been quiet here and depending on several things, I'm likely to again, but I am still sticking my head in now and then.
Wishing all of you the best.