USU Eastern’s Welding Program: Behind the Scenes

Welding is one of the oldest forms of technology known to the modern world, dating back to the Bronze Age, when natives would smelt materials such as copper and tin to create tools and weapons. Since then, welding has evolved immensely, becoming one of the most important trades in the world.

USU Eastern has an outstanding welding program that gives students a direct foot in the door for future career opportunities.

This welding program has sent many students to state, national, and world competitions.

This program wouldn’t have the resources and opportunities it has without the outstanding instructors who assist these students in reaching their goals.

One of these professors is Jake Clement. Jake went through the welding program at the College of Eastern Utah, which we now know as USU Eastern. His father, as well as two of his colleagues, also attended this welding program, demonstrating the rich tradition that this program holds.

Jake competed in the individual SkillsUSA welding competition during his time in the program. Jake attended the College of Eastern Utah for a year before transferring to Weber State University to obtain his bachelor’s degree in welding engineering.

Jake has had the opportunity to work in both the aerospace and medical industries, utilizing his welding education acquired in this program to create components for these fields. His first job out of college allowed him to work on nuclear weapons and determine how they needed to be built.

Each opportunity that Jake had to work in a different field of welding gave him the components that he needed to teach and lead his students to success.

USU Eastern’s welding program offers students the opportunity to compete in the SkillsUSA competitions, a national organization that aims to help students acclimate and gain training for future career paths.

This organization offers various areas of competition for welding students.

The first option is to be the individual welding competitor. This student is required to weld with four different processes and be proficient in all four. They create a project individually using various types of metals and processes, depending on the level of competition the student is in.

The second area of competition is the fabrication team. This competition requires a team of three students to create a project. The students pull from each other’s strengths to create a project, such as a table or chair.

The third area of competition is the sculpture competition, where students use different welding processes to create a piece of art to be submitted to the contest.

Jake believes that one of the most important aspects of his teaching philosophy is the culture that is created in the classroom. He wants to help students recognize the journey that they are embarking on rather than just the destination.

Jake believes that effort overrides natural talent. He doesn’t think that individuals have natural proclivities, but rather that it is an individual’s experiences, mentors, and effort that make them talented.

Jake also believes that we have created a societal normality to make everything we do look effortless. No one sees the hard work behind the scenes, only the reward and “natural talent” that is put forth.

Dedication and effort are signs of an individual truly valuing a skill or trade. It shows a person’s willingness to try, fail, and try again, something that is morally frowned on in today’s world.

Jake hopes to teach his students to set attainable goals and work hard. He wants his students to start where they are, rather than skip oversteps in an attempt to become the best immediately.

Jake also believes that both lab and theory go hand in hand, not that one has more importance than the other. While students may enjoy hands-on experiences more, there is importance in knowing the technical terms and usages of the machines as well. Jake hopes to teach students not only how to do something, but also why they need to do it that way.

Technology is a quickly expanding ideology in today’s society, especially in the welding industry. New and upcoming technological breakthroughs are happening in the welding industry constantly.

One of these inventions is a laser welding process, more specifically, a handheld version. This process could compete with MiG welding and Tig welding, which are taught to students regularly. This process is significantly faster than Tig welding and reduces warpage in the welds. It’s also getting cheaper every day.

Jake is working to get this new technology introduced to their curriculum as soon as possible. Laser welding, as well as other upcoming welding advancements, will be part of students’ future careers, and it’s essential to ensure they have the necessary knowledge to compete with the fast-changing industry.

One thing that Jake enjoys about the welding program at USU Eastern is how close-knit it is. His classes usually have a cap of around twelve students, making it easy for him to get to know each of his students personally.

If students are having a hard time with either educational or personal needs, Jake notices. These smaller classes ensure that if a student needs assistance or guidance, they can easily get it. Jake cares for his students immensely, and he’s willing to pull students aside to check up on them if he feels it’s necessary.

One of Jake’s long-term goals for the welding program is to grow sustainably. There are currently 84 students enrolled in the welding program and four instructors to teach them. Many of the instructors have a heavy load this semester, with one instructor teaching nineteen credit hours this semester.

Jake recognizes the need for students to be involved in the program, but he is concerned about compromising the quality of teaching and the program’s humanity.

When asked why Jake loves being a welding instructor at USU Eastern, he answered that he loves to be involved with his students. He gets the opportunity to watch them grow and fulfill the dreams that they’ve been chasing for years. He finds it fulfilling to give his students the tools needed to excel in their future careers.

One piece of advice that Jake had to give was to remember yourself. He believes that while it may not be a completely detrimental thing to please others, it’s your dreams and life at the end of the day. Maintain a sense of self and be true to yourself as much as possible.