Heavy Equipment Operator

Welders join metal parts together using various welding techniques including MIG, TIG, stick welding, and flux-cored processes. The work spans construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospace, pipeline, and repair industries. Welders read blueprints, calculate dimensions, inspect structures for defects, select appropriate materials and methods, prepare metal surfaces, operate welding equipment, and verify weld quality through visual inspection and testing. Advanced positions involve welding exotic metals, working on pressure vessels, or performing structural work requiring certification to specific codes. Work environments vary dramatically—from climate-controlled fabrication shops to outdoor construction sites, underwater structures, and confined spaces. Physical demands include prolonged positioning, exposure to heat and fumes, and wearing protective equipment. Career advancement includes specialized certifications, inspection roles, and welding engineering positions.

Commercial truck drivers operate heavy and tractor-trailer trucks to transport goods over local, regional, and long-haul routes. The work involves loading and unloading cargo, securing freight properly for transport, planning routes considering traffic, weather, and delivery schedules, performing pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, maintaining logs of driving hours and cargo manifests, and communicating with dispatchers about delivery status. Long-haul drivers may spend days or weeks on the road, sleeping in truck cabs and managing the challenges of extended time away from home. Local drivers typically return home daily but handle multiple pickups and deliveries. The role requires managing fatigue, navigating unfamiliar areas, backing trailers into tight loading docks, and handling paperwork for regulatory compliance. Specialized drivers transport hazardous materials, oversized loads, or temperature-sensitive cargo requiring additional certifications and skills.

Diesel service technicians maintain and repair diesel-powered vehicles and equipment including trucks, buses, heavy equipment, generators, and agricultural machinery. The work involves diagnosing engine and vehicle problems using computerized testing equipment, performing scheduled maintenance, replacing worn parts, adjusting and repairing braking and steering systems, and testing systems after repair. Modern diesel vehicles incorporate sophisticated electronic controls, emission systems, and computerized diagnostics requiring technicians to combine traditional mechanical skills with electronic expertise. Technicians work in trucking company shops, dealerships, equipment rental companies, fleet service centers, and independent repair facilities. Some specialize in particular equipment types—over-the-road trucks, construction equipment, marine engines, or agricultural machinery. The work is physically demanding, requiring work in uncomfortable positions and handling heavy components.