Valedictorian finds career path through Hodde Center welding program

‘I am looking forward to learning the different processes of welding and one day becoming a structural welder,’ says James Anderson

July 31, 2018

It was in high school that Dime Box High School valedictorian James Anderson discovered he wanted to pursue a welding career. 

After taking dual credit welding courses through the Blinn College District and graduating at the top of his class, Anderson immediately enrolled in Blinn’s Welding Program. 

“I was always the kid who liked being in the ag shop, so Blinn College was the perfect choice because it is close to home and the instructors know so much about the industry,” Anderson said. “I haven’t been here long and have already learned a lot.”

Anderson is enrolled in two summer courses, Introduction to Blueprint Reading for Welders and Quality Control and Testing Control. 

“These courses are preparing me for the welding labs because the blueprint course teaches the symbols and the language used in the industry, and the quality and testing control course teaches you how to determine a good or a bad weld,” Anderson said. “We also got to weld during the first week of class, but this Fall is when it will become a majority of my coursework.”

“We offer our summer welding courses to support dual credit students so that by the Fall they have a lot of the basics knocked out and are ready to weld,” said John McGee, welding instructor. 

Welding professionals use hand-held welding and flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.  Through formal education, training, and experience, welders gain knowledge and expertise in multiple processes, preparing them for careers as welders, welding fabricators, welding supervisors, pipe welders, welder fitters, maintenance welders, welding inspectors, welding instructors, welding engineers, and metallurgists. 

“The Blinn Welding Program allows individuals to follow career paths in many industries, including maritime and ship building, automotive manufacturing, aerospace production, oil and gas, general industry fabrication, and structural welding,” said Jay Anderson, Dean of Technical and Community Education. “High wage and secure employment make welding a first educational choice for many individuals who prefer hands-on learning and employment.”

Blinn’s college credit programs build upon each other and include a Certificate I, Certificate II, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in welding technologies.

“I am looking forward to learning the different processes of welding and one day becoming a structural welder,” said James Anderson, who is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in welding technology. “Blinn College is the perfect place for the opportunity to have a career in welding.”

“Blinn College provides the facility, material, and a highly qualified instructor in Mr. McGee, but James brings the desire, work ethic, skill level, knowledge, and commitment to make his education meaningful,” said David Yeager, Hodde Center Director. “Success is attained with a rigorous Blinn College course, a skilled instructor, and with participants like James who know their responsibility in higher education. He is a top-quality student, and as a valedictorian, he brings the attributes for achievement every day to the lab and classroom. ”

For more information regarding the Hodde Center and it course offerings, call 979-830-4443 or visit: www.blinn.edu/workforce.