I'm a welder and got my certification about ten years ago. Really, it depends on whether or not you have a natural talent for it in addition to how well you learn it. It also really depends on your area. Do a search for welding jobs in your area. Ignore most of the ones from recruiters, around here at least most of those aren't real jobs, just jobs to get you to turn in an application so they can offer you a minimum wage temporary labor job. In some areas there are enough welding jobs in relation to welders where a company is willing to take a chance on someone fresh out of school. Remember that a lot of manufacturing has moved overseas and some is still moving which is driving the competition up and the wage down. Back ten years ago, I was making $25 an hour fresh out of school, now I'm lucky to make $14 an hour with ten years experience and I get laid off often. I get called back to work eventually, but, layoffs can come at really inconvenient times. If I was able to move at the moment, there are areas of the country that need more welders. But, my wife is in school so I'm stuck here for the next few years. Also, pay attention to what kind of welders are being hired. Back when I trained, it was mostly MIG but now where I'm at they mostly want TIG. Do a lot of job searches now to find out what's available, maybe even call up places that are hiring and talk to their HR department to ask if they hire people fresh out of school and how often they have openings.