Rhodes builds career through MCC Welding and Cutting Technology Program
Samuel Rhodes can turn a blueprint into part of a building.
The 19-year-old fitter-welder reads drawings, cuts steel, and joins pieces to create beams and columns.
Rhodes received his technical certificate from Meridian Community College’s Welding and Cutting Technology Program during the Summer Commencement ceremony. He earned his career technical certificate in May and plans to complete his associate of applied science degree in December.
“I’m finished with the welding program itself,” Rhodes said. “I just have that one class left before I have my associate degree.”
Rhodes works full time and will take his final class online.
Welding was not his first career plan. Rhodes grew up working on cars with his stepfather and planned to become a mechanical engineer. His path changed, though, during his junior year at West Lauderdale High School when he joined the FFA program and competed in welding contests. His team placed third in the state his first year, and Rhodes earned the highest individual score. The next year, his team placed first, and he had the second-highest individual score.
A summer welding job soon became a career.
“It was only supposed to last for the summer, but I fell in love with the work and learned a lot,” Rhodes said.
His employer, Slay Steel, later helped pay for him to attend MCC.
Welding appeals to Rhodes because each project is different.
“It’s never the same,” he said. “Every day is a little more interesting than the last.”
His job also involves technology. Rhodes serves as a backup programmer for the company’s computer numerical control machines and works with computer-aided design software.
Rhodes also recently passed a visual testing course through the American Welding Society. The certification allows him to inspect welds and determine whether they meet required standards.
He hopes to build a career in welding inspection.
Rhodes knows the work can be demanding. Heat, cold, wind, and moving materials can affect the welding process.
“You have to have a love for it,” he said.
Rhodes compares welding to “adult Legos” because workers use separate pieces to create something larger. His personal projects have included structural parts, toolboxes, toy cars, a metal deer head and a fish fryer.
He credits MCC welding instructors Eric Jones and Edward Boudreaux with helping him improve his skills. Jones noted Rhodes is what every employer looks for in an employee.
“As his instructor, Sam made my job easy because he was eager to learn, accepted feedback well, and consistently applied what he was taught. He took pride in his work, showed respect for both his classmates and instructors, and continually produced quality results. He does not settle for ‘good enough.’”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/cte.