391. They Can't Take My Education Away From Me w/ Josh O'Neal

In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with Josh O'Neal for a wide-ranging conversation on education, certification, and career development in the welding industry.

Josh shares his journey through welding, inspection, and education, including his experiences pursuing credentials like CWI and CWE, navigating student loans and scholarships, and building quality systems that support AWS Accredited Testing Facilities. The discussion also dives into workforce development, credit-for-experience programs, and how industry certifications can translate into academic credit.

Key topics include:

• Welding education pathways and career mobility

• AWS certifications, scholarships, and member involvement

• Quality Assurance Manuals and ATF setup

• Credit-by-exam and equivalency programs in education

• Balancing work, family, and professional growth

• Why education is something no one can take away from you

This episode is a realistic look at the trade-offs, sacrifices, and long-term rewards of investing in your education and your career in welding.

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