[legion]

I took a welding class at the local community college 10 years ago. Same as you, it was something that I was always interested in.

I was 30 at the time and the Community College did not offer a "community education" welding class, so I had to enroll as a student for this one, single class. I was told that my admission to the class was questionable as I was not attempting to become a welder. I had to meet with the Dean and persuade him to let me enroll. There were 10 slots in the class and they were concerned that I'd be taking one away from a future career welder. After the meeting, I was allowed to enroll. I took the class with a friend who was similarly put through the ringer.

At the end of the 10 week class, my friend and I were the only two A's. The next highest grade was a C, there for three D's and four F's. We were the only two to attend every class. The sole female in the class attended once on week 6, (past the drop date), realized she'd never catch up, and never attended again. Our projects looked way better than all of the kids there to be professional welders. We were never sent our grades, I had to drop by in person to get them. The whole experience made my scared to trust a weld.

Next, I decided that I wanted to learn to drive a semi. I looked into it. The same community college has a commercial trucking program. At the time, it cost $8,000 and met for 8 hours a day for 8 weeks. I couldn't afford to take 8 weeks away from work (I don't get that much vacation!) and $8,000 seems outrageous. Never mind.