Graduate Connections – Meet Layne Jones

Layne, 21, is originally from Valencia, California, but she moved to Arizona at the age of 10. Layne completed the Welding Specialist program at RSI in February 2024. 

Thanks for your time, Layne; what did you do before coming to RSI? 

I was working on my associate’s degree for psychology. I had a job as a para-professional working with kids with behavioral issues. I did that for about a year and a half, but it grew to be too much for me. The kids would often be violent, so it was mentally very hard for me to stay in a good positive psyche doing that job. I realized that it just wasn’t for me. 

I can see that could be difficult. Where did the idea of welding come from? 

I wanted to be hands-on, and I wanted to do something where I didn’t have to work with people that much. I’m an artist as well. I love to paint and draw; it’s kind of my outlet, my therapy in life. So, I was browsing trades and I scrolled through TikTok. I just typed in women welders or welding, and it came up with so much. It really inspired me to see that working in the trades isn’t just for men. There are so many women doing it now, and from what I’ve seen online, the girls are better than the boys! So that’s where it started.

Did you have any prior welding knowledge at all?

I’d done absolutely nothing. The first day of school they said grind that plate. I had no idea how to turn on the grinder! So yeah, I was a blank canvas when I came into RSI. But it meant I could learn all the right ways!

What did you enjoy most about your time at RSI?

I really, really enjoyed the Student Ambassador program they had. It gave me a chance to teach other people. I felt very valued and respected when I did that. I thought the events we did were really beneficial to the RSI community other than welding. That was amazing for me. I really love to teach and help other people. 

Tell us more about the RSI Student Ambassador program.

In your third phase, so the third month, you’re allowed to apply to be an ambassador. You have to have at least a 3.0 and perfect attendance, and then it’s down to your teachers. They have to say yes or no, kind of recommend you. That’s the process of getting into the program. Then once you’re in, you tutor other students, you help with events. You can help tutor students behind you…so they know how to turn the grinder on, for example! Sometimes, getting help from another student can be a little less intimidating, especially for the new people in the early phases. I really love that RSI and Tulsa Welding School have the program in place. For those of us who do become ambassadors, not only does it look good on your résumé, but you also get a letter of recommendation from the school, and we get first dibs on meeting employers at career fairs. You have to be pretty good to get on the ambassador program.

You went from not knowing how to turn a grinder on to being good enough to tutor in three months? 

Yes. It was awesome; I got really good. I think I had a 4.0 GPA.  

So, welding came pretty easy to you then? 

I think, because I have that art background, it felt almost natural when I welded for the first time. I showed my first test to my instructor, and he said it was perfect. I got 97%. That’s the highest you can get because 100% is like an X-rayed weld. I thought, “Oh my goodness, that’s a 97 my first ever time.” I was excited!

Very cool. Did you have frustrations though, days where you thought you’d made the wrong choice?

No, I always knew that this was a great decision for me. I knew it was benefiting myself ultimately. There’s nothing wrong with failing, it’s just more knowledge, and knowledge is power. I had some very angry moments for sure, but I just had to step away for a second, and then I was good. I’m a pretty patient person. So, no, I never thought that I was doing the wrong thing by choosing a welding program.  

You mentioned artistry, but did you consider the earning potential that comes from welding?

Yes, definitely. Money is definitely a big factor in why I chose to be a welder. I saw that some other trades sometimes pay more, but I think welding is ultimately just super enjoyable too. But yes, the money is definitely a factor. Welders can make a bunch of money. You just have to put in the work to be a good one! 

On that note, let’s talk about work. Where are you working?

I’m a welding/pipefitting apprentice with Comfort Systems USA. I started this past Monday, so I’m still in training. This is my second week of training. We have to get our OSHA certifications and stuff like that. Once  I get into the field next week, I will be pipefitting and welding. So, putting pipes together; first prepping the pipes, and then welding them together. The have a bunch of commercial client sites like Intel and ASU. When new buildings are constructed, we go in and provide end-to-end mechanical contracting solutions. So, we’ll install the pipework for the new building’s systems. When one job’s finished, we’ll move on to the next site. So, it’s traveling, but all within Arizona. I’ll get to go home most nights. But I’ll know more when I get into the field.

That sounds cool! Are you happy with the money you have started on and the potential?

Yeah, I will be. I can’t talk about the specifics, but I will be happy! They also have health insurance, dental, vision, all of it, plus retirement. They offer pretty good benefits. My schedule is 5:00 AM to 2:30 PM. I have about a 45-minute commute to Chandler, so I get up around 3:00 AM, and I’m usually home after 3:00 PM.

Oooh…that’s early! How did you get the job? Did you work with Career Services?

Cooper [in Career Services] actually sent me their flyer and I went to an interview. I think there were three of us that got hired. Me and one of my classmates, and another guy from RSI.

What do you enjoy most about this trade? 

Definitely the actual welding. I could be having a great day, a bad day, I could be stressed out, but as soon as I put on my hood and weld, the only thing I’m thinking about is welding. It is a very serene, very peaceful feeling just to focus on one thing at a time. It just resets your psyche; I find it very, very relaxing.

You just started, but what’s your ultimate career goal? 

I do actually have a plan. I want to learn as much as I can, and then when I’ve got more experience, I’d like to apply to weld in aerospace. I really want to work in aerospace. I just had to get my foot in the door and do whatever I could first. The more time and effort I put into this job, the closer I am to my ultimate goal. I want to eventually have my own welding business making art sculptures, jewelry, security doors, fences, custom staircases, stuff like that. I really want to use my creativity and my art background to weld awesome things. That’s my ultimate goal. 

Did you make friends/connections at school that you stay in touch with? 

I made lots and lots of friends. I still talk to my classmates almost every week, a couple times a week. I networked a lot too. The more you network, the more jobs you’ll know about. I have made a lot of friends and long-lasting connections; the instructors were great too.

What class or shift did you do at RSI?

The night class worked out great for me. I worked from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, got a break to take a nap, relax, and then I went to class from 6:30 PM to 11:45 PM. That schedule worked out really well for me because I was still able to work. I worked with plants at a nursery. I just wanted a very calm job while I was at school!

What advice do you have for new students to be successful at RSI? 

Genuinely, you get out of RSI what you put into it. Start with a positive mindset. Ask questions. Don’t be scared. Everyone there is there to help you. Work hard, show up, have a positive attitude, and you’ll do great. 

If you’re an RSI graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year) and program.