Job In Welding OUTSIDE Just Welding

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats withJustin Lafond — applications engineer (ESAB) who calls the role the “Swiss Army knife” of welding support.Kaeleigh Wilkins — 3M Metalworking Application Engineer who moved from sales into a highly technical role without an engineering degree.Frank Vargas — national sales leader focused on relationship-driven technical selling in welding distribution.Cody Vigeant (American Welding Program) — on what makes a great instructor in today’s rapidly changing trade.Austin Hargett (“Dr. Welds”) — on staying energized as a welding instructor and balancing life, side work, and the classroom.Key Topics Covered:Why many high-pay welding careers don’t require holding a stinger every day (inspection, applications, distribution, education).Applications engineering: field problem-solving, process development, training, and customer saves—plus the reality of travel.No engineering degree? Mapping hands-on welding experience to technical job descriptions (Kaeleigh’s playbook).Distributor roles: technical sales and “solution finder” jobs that value people skills and fluent welding lingo.Teaching welding: avoiding burnout, finding the “small wins,” and staying current with robots/cobots.Future-proofing: adaptability and cross-process literacy as automation spreads.Memorable Quotes:“We’re the Swiss Army knives… expected to do all of it, anywhere, anytime.” — Justin Lafond“You can’t really learn our job unless you’re out there in the field doing it.” — Justin Lafond“I’m the only person on the team without an engineering degree… you can still be a fit if your experience matches the need.” — Kaeleigh Wilkins“The welding trade is moving at the speed of light—instructors have to stay keyed in.” — Cody Vigeant“The little wins from former students are what keep you going.” — Austin HargettSave 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20 https://foxly.link/9T3dtcGuest Contacts:Justin Lafond - Applications Engineering (ESAB)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-lafond-5a650b313Kaeleigh Wilkins - Application Engineering (3M)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaeleigh-wilkins Frank Vargas - National Sales Manager (Uniweld)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-vargas-0273a173 Cody Vigeant -  Manager of Education Solutions (American Welding Program)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-v-b4a857145 Austin Hargett (“Dr. Welds”) - Brand Ambassador / Operations Manager (Weld.com)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-hargett-2545ba20a Connect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditweldingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigingtonEmail: [email protected] the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa