Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Hathaway.
Hi Bobby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My career started when I was about 12 (there weren’t child labor laws back then) Just kidding :). My dad work in the pipeline field as a welder; he and my mom started a pipeline and roustabout company (HEI) when we settled in El Reno, OK. I started in the shop and would help with setting up the rigs for the welders, and worked up to being a welders helper. when I was about 13. A few years later, I broke out as a welder. Even before I graduated, I got the opportunity to travel and met some great people along the way.
A lot of those people that I originally met, I would consider to be mentors, but my biggest mentor was my dad. He showed me a lot of things, whether I wanted to see them or not. I can say that I am forever grateful that he did. While out in the field, I spent about three years folding my 6’1″ frame into the my dad’s 1975, 28′ Airstream travel trailer. I remember those days fondly, and made life long friends living the travel welder life.
I got into teaching later in my career and contrary to the saying that “those that can’t any more – teach”, it wasn’t because I couldn’t weld any more. I was drawn to the idea of being able to help someone learn or even better their skills. My wife Heather and I eventually opened our own business (B&H Welding and Training) in Florida. When we moved back to my home state of Texas, I worked in a few oil/chemical refineries but I always wanted to get back into teaching. I found an opportunity at Elite Welding Academy (EWA) as an instructor, eventually becoming the head of admissions. I consider myself fortunate to have found a home here at EWA and to get to do what I do every day.
I get to spend my time talking to students, at schools and welding competitions, (TXHSWS) not just about EWA, but about the welding field and the value of a trade. To get to see the students at EWA mature into welders is one of the points of pride that I get from my job. Whether it is a high school student or veteran, getting to talk about welding and the value it gives back to a person’s life is one of my contributions that I believe will make my family proud. I know it is part of the legacy that I want to leave behind if I ever retire.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I often say, if it were easy, it would already have been done. Learning a trade and teaching a trade have their own hurdles. Sometimes, I find I take on some of the challenges that our students bring to the school as my own. Being vested in the students has incredible reward, but can bring heartbreak along the way.
For me personally, I have taken the journey from learning, to doing, to teaching. Each have had their rewards and challenges. It took a lot of learning to discover that I wanted to teach. But that passion was worth the trip.
My family has to share me with my work family and students, but I am fortunate that they support me in my dreams and goals. For that, I will forever be grateful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Technically my title is Admissions Director, but I am known for spreading the gospel of the value of a trade. Although I am out educating people about Elite Welding Academy, what I am really doing is painting a picture for students of what the life of a welder looks like. If someone can see themselves doing something, they will work harder to achieve their goals and are less likely to give up. People say I sell motivation. Whether someone comes to EWA or goes a different path, I want them to go forward in their life and achieve something.
My trade school specializes in pipe welding, and being able to teach someone the trade in as little as six months. Part of my job to get the student ready for a continuous learning experience and to help them through the bumps that they may experience.
Another part of my job is to introduce candidates to the school and to help them navigate the admissions process. Most of my questions are around what the student should expect and how they can be a success in the field. The more passionate and dedicated a candidate is, the more questions they will have. I am glad to be the people who helps them focus that energy into building a better future.
A day in my life goes from giving existing students guidance and encouragement, to speaking to classrooms about welding or trades in general, to proctoring welding competitions. I probably meet about 500 people a week, and I can’t be happier than when someone comes up to me asking for more information or background on what to expect as a welder. Lucky me, I get asked that a lot.
The thing that sets me apart is that I never get tired of doing this job.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
No matter how hard you work for something, whether it is something small or large, you need to have others in your life to help you in your journey.
Bringing people along on my journey and asking for company or help along the way has been something that I continuously have to work on. Ironically, in this job it is rare for me to meet anything other than enthusiastic assistance. That makes asking easier, but it is still something that I need to remind myself of regularly.
Pricing:
- Approximately $16,000 for the 1,000 hour structural and pipe welding course
- Customized Training for Companies starting at $10,000
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: eliteweldingacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elite_welding_academy/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elite-Welding-Academy/163782896980714?fref=ts
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/weldingelite
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1WnIbxjEyOzOpgrIDVj6sQ
Image Credits
Elite Welding Academy
