Salvador Benavidez, Marine Corps Veteran, Welding Graduate
I came in to WFW with no welding experience at all, open minded and wondering if I was even going to like welding. First month was rough learning a new skill and all the theory that comes with it at such a fast pace. Luckily all my TA’s were extremely helpful and helped me understand anything I struggled with. Always answering my questions and showing me their own ways. I was able to better my welds and ultimately fall in love with welding. Seeing welding as a type of art. I’m really thankful to have been able to go through this program as it opened SO many doors for me.
I originally heard of Workshops for Warriors because a good buddy told me about the program because he went through it. He told me how after he graduated and went to work, he would get to travel to different states and countries as part of his job. I was working retail at the time and felt stuck as I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career.
I joined the Marine Corps in 2018 right after high school. I went in as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman. Being a Marine had always been my goal since I was a younger kid. I had a great time, got to travel and make some lifelong friends and some killer memories, but I took all the skills and knowledge that I could and decided to move on to the next chapter.
During my first semester I was nervous about teaching new students but with the help of my former TAs which were now my fellow coworkers I learned so much more than I had already learned. I believe students asking questions made me learn so much more than I had learned as a student. Having to answer questions that maybe I didn’t know the answer to caused me to go back to the books and do a deeper dive as well as ask even more questions about theory in order to become more knowledgeable and be able to answer questions accurately and confidently. I’m really thankful I was able to hold the position of Teaching Assistant and grow my knowledge as a welder.
I joined SpaceX as an Orbital Welder, I mainly weld small diameter Titanium and Inconel tubing. It has been fun so far there is so much more to learn. It’s crazy showing up to work knowing you’re building a rocket. My team is great and always trying to teach me new things.