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“Battling the Trades Stigma” – How the AWS is right on this
Professional societies are typically beneficial; it is for this reason that people elect to join them in the first place. I would be remiss were I not to mention I belong to two: the American Welding Society and the … Read the rest
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The Math Myth and Other STEM Delusions – Book Review
The Book Review Series Riveting, compelling, and tantalizing are but a few of the words I would use to describe The Math Myth and Other STEM delusions. I might follow them up with ingenious, stimulating, … Read the rest
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Professional jealousy
Over the course of my career I have experienced what I like to call professional jealousy. Actually, I have experienced it and projected it – and when that happens it isn’t my finest moment to be sure. It wasn’t until … Read the rest
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Neutron Radiography
As a American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and a member of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), I receive periodicals from both professional organizations. Sometimes the information isn’t interesting to me; I mean, I’m not too … Read the rest
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Do we really believe what we say?
I have touted for a number of years the intelligence of many skilled trades individuals. I know some of my stories have made it into posts when I talk about the disconnect between the skilled trades and office personnel (blue … Read the rest
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The pros and cons of the skilled trades
*Updated for 2025* As an advocate for and being in the skilled trades, I certainly can attest to the pros associated therein. I sort of stumbled into it, but no matter, they have been immensely enriching both … Read the rest
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The rare, elusive, and experienced field engineer
At the end of 2019, after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and OSHA released their findings about the collapse of the FIU pedestrian bridge, I wrote a piece from a skilled trades perspective. It was a long piece, informative … Read the rest
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College class hazing – Yea, it’s a thing
Ideas for posts originate almost anywhere and at anytime and this one’s no different. I got to thinking about all the various “general education” classes you have to take in the pursuit of a degree. You know the classes I’m … Read the rest
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America’s ultimate hazing experience: the college degree
Sometime ago, I was doing research for another article and came across a term I had never heard before: the college industrial complex. I’ll admit I was favorable to the term; after all, I have maintained for quite a number … Read the rest
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Job satisfaction: what’s it mean to you?
While writing another article I suddenly thought about job satisfaction and what it means to people. Is it something people consider when taking a job? How important is it to them? Is it even on their radar? I think in … Read the rest
