pipefitter Career Path | See the Career Paths People Really Take

boilermaker

pipefitter foreman

plumber

journeyman pipefitter

superintendent

pipefitter

welder

foreman

A Boilermaker constructs and installs boilers and containers used for housing gases and liquids.  Their role is to read blueprints, weld and bolt pieces together, and perform maintenance.  Their responsibilities are installing boilers into facilities, reading blueprints for location, position and dimensions, completing maintenance documentation, organizing and assembling boiling parts, shaping and fabricating parts, cleaning pressure vessel equipment, and inspecting equipment for proper functioning.

A foreman is a supervisor or manager responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a construction project. In this role, they are responsible for managing and directing workers, ensuring safety regulations are followed, scheduling and assigning tasks to workers on the jobsite, resolving conflicts between workers and subcontractors, coordinating supplies and materials needed for the job site, maintaining records of work completed by contractors/subcontractors and providing feedback to management about any issues that may arise during the project. The foreman also serves as a liaison between management and labor forces in order to ensure that all parties involved understand their roles within the project.

A Pipefitter Foreman is a skilled tradesperson responsible for overseeing the installation, maintenance and repair of pipes used in many industries. They are typically employed by construction companies or industrial plants to ensure that all piping systems meet safety standards and regulations. The primary duties of a Pipefitter Foreman include hiring, training, supervising and directing pipefitters; creating job schedules; inspecting completed work; ensuring proper use of tools and materials; ordering supplies as needed; keeping accurate records on project progress and cost estimates; maintaining good communication with clients/customers throughout projects; resolving any issues related to quality control or customer satisfaction.

A plumber is responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential and commercial buildings. They use a variety of tools to assess the job at hand, including wrenches, pipe cutters, tubing benders, saws and torches. Plumbers must be knowledgeable about local building codes as well as safety regulations pertaining to their work. In addition to installation/repair duties they may also inspect existing systems for functionality or potential problems.

A Superintendent assists the district school board to create and institute policy and processes related to education.  Their role is to develop and supervise school programs, and seek to improve the educational standards of students.  Their responsibilities are to write, propose and revise educational policies, prepare monthly reports, review the curriculum and ensure it meets state and national educational standards, oversee educational spending by setting and maintaining the annual budget, and interview and hire principals within the district.

Discover what it’s like to be an elementary school principal. Learn about the career path, daily responsibilities, required credentials, challenges, and rewards of education leadership.

<h2>Why I Became a Principal</h2><p>I serve as an elementary school principal. I picked this job because I wanted to make a difference in the systems that affect the lives of children. </p><h2><br></h2><h2>Principal Requirements</h2><p>This job requires prior teaching experience in the classroom, a valid teaching credential, and a valid administrative credential. It varies by state—the requirements and some states require you to have a master's degree.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>My Career Path</h2><p>I started my path in a non-teaching pathway. I then found teaching to be something I was very interested in. I taught in public schools, high-need schools, and then took on different educational leadership roles. I moved on to being a reading interventionist teacher, and then I pursued a special credential for literacy. I soon found myself as an English language curriculum developer, and I also worked with teachers as a coach to support them and to offer sitewide professional development.</p><p>From there, I worked on my administrative credential, and then I became a middle school assistant principal. After two years, I became an elementary school principal.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>What it’s Like</h2><p>The average day is predictable, but there are many issues to resolve—making sure that there are substitute teachers and that students are at school on time. There are many meetings in a day with staff, families, and community members.</p><p>Principals are responsible for staff development, and it looks like observations with feedback and staff meetings. Principals also need to work with human resources to support staff in times of personal challenges. Principals also meet with the PTA and families to discuss ways to spend site money. They also work with district leaders in collaboration and professional development.</p><p>Principals need to make sure that the grounds and buildings are in great maintenance and working order.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Salary for a Principal </h2><p>Salary can range in this position. It depends on where you are—it can be from a hundred thousand a year to two hundred fifty thousand a year.</p><p><br></p><h2>Principal Pro and Cons</h2><p>The best part of the job is watching students feel welcome at school. It's amazing to see students grow and reach their goals. A con of the job is the unpredictability and the inability to make all staff, students, and family members happy with you. This job also requires much longer hours than just the average school day. You will find yourself working on weekends and definitely after hours.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>How to Get Started</h2><p>If you're interested in becoming a school principal, start off in teaching. Try teaching different grades, different school systems, and also different subject areas. Then, try moving on to an outside classroom position like a coach or a curriculum developer. As you try on and take on different educational leadership roles, you may find yourself interested in becoming a site administrator or principal.</p><p><br></p>

A Welder is a skilled tradesperson who specializes in joining materials together by using heat and pressure. Welders use various welding processes to fabricate and repair metal components of all sizes, from large structures such as bridges and ships to smaller items including handrails and household appliances. They work with a variety of metals including steel, aluminum, copper, brass, iron and stainless steel. In addition to welding materials together they may also cut them apart or shape them with special equipment. Safety is an important part of the job; welders must follow safety guidelines when working on projects that involve hazardous materials or high temperatures.

Discover what it's really like to work in a challenging yet rewarding trade! Hear firsthand from a professional about the benefits, the hard work, and the sense of pride that comes with the job.

<h2>Pos and Cons of Being a Sheet Metal Worker</h2><p>The benefits are great. The pay is great. And the retirement is also good. Great place to excel. If you want to advance in a company, get out there and be a foreman. Be a site foreman or a general foreman on the job site. The cons are, well, it's very strenuous work. You’ve got to make sure you're fit at all times. Don't come in sick or injured from the previous day. You can let them know, but you’ve got to get a lot of rest.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Requirements</h2><p>You’ve got to have a high school diploma. You’ve got to be able to do math. So to get in, you’ve got to pass the test. There's a test, and you’ve got to get at least 75% correct on the math test.&nbsp;</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Average Day</h2><p>On an average day, you start at six, and it's offloading trucks with material that's coming in. Or they’ve got you installing ductwork. Mostly what I was doing was commercial work, like hospitals, big buildings, and elevator shafts, stuff like that. Everything we make is fabricated in the shop, but if we can fabricate things in the field, that's even better for us. It makes you look good as an individual. We can get the job done. For me, there's a lot of pride. In San Francisco, there were buildings right next to the Bay Bridge that we worked on, and people were paying millions for them. I’d sit there eating lunch, thinking I’d better enjoy the view because people are paying millions for it, and I’m getting paid to enjoy it for free.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Tips for Getting Into a Trade</h2><p>If you don’t have any other skills and you’re trying to gain one, go to trade school. There’s plumbing, electrical work, sheet metal, and a lot of trades. Anybody can get in. If you’re willing to work hard and bust your behind, then it’s there for you.&nbsp;</p><h2><br></h2><h2>Career Advice</h2><p>Take the challenges. If they give you a challenge that you can't do, say, "I’m not great at it, but I’ll give it a good shot." As long as you try, they’re willing to work with you. Don’t say no. Just say, "I’ll give it a shot."</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

Pipefitter Career Path