Where are they now?

Baldwin High School alumni Austin Chavez graduated in the class of 2013, with the inquiry of becoming a welder. Chavez attended to North Central Kansas Technical School in Beloit Kansas for college to pursuit his welding career. Spending a year in college he returned back to his hometown of Baldwin City, to seek a welding business.

• Senior year of high school, did you know what you wanted to do for your career?

-“No, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do until the end of my senior year. I was decently good at welding and liked it, so that’s what I decided. When I got to college I loved it even more.”

• How many classes were you enrolled in while in college?

-“I only had three classes during college, physiology, math, and a computer class. My day at school consisted of welding from 7a.m – 4p.m in the shop, and a 30 minute lunch break. On Tuesdays and Fridays I went to my education and learning classes.”

• When you returned from college in 2014, how long did it take for you to find your first welding job?

-“It took me only a month before I found my first job, but I filled out many applications for numerous places immediately when I got back home.”

• Where are you employed right now?

– “I am working at Schuff Steel Co. located in Ottawa Kansas. It’s a metal fabrication shop, we weld I-beams to construct buildings for many different buildings.”

• How long have you been working there?

-“That is my first welding job that I started right after school, so July of 2014. One year and a few months.”

• How are Schuff Steel benefits?

-“Welders get pretty good benefits, you just have to find the right employment.”

• Do you see yourself welding for the rest of your work life?

-“For a part of my life yes, but once you get a higher and better position you won’t have to weld metal anymore.”