Maritime manufacturing combines stability and great pay with future-forward tech and growth potential.
What kind of careers are we talking about?
Careers in maritime manufacturing encompass everything from design and production to the assembly of various naval vessels and their components.
Additive Manufacturing
For the creators
3D print the parts that run the submarine.
CNC Machining
For the shapers
Shape everyday materials into extraordinary submarine components with advanced technology.
Metrology
For the inspectors
Use your knack for numbers and keen eye to ensure quality and spot mistakes.
Non-Destructive Testing
For the experimenters
Ensure that every submarine component is of the highest quality and safe for service.
Welding
For the makers
Use your torch to forge impenetrable bonds and piece together parts, systems and platforms.
Welding
Retail Worker
toolkit
Day
The career you choose now will inform what you'll be doing every day for the next several decades (no pressure). Let's take a look at a typical day at each job to see how you might spend your time.
The night crew didn't do ANY folding last night. The store is a mess.
Haha, bummer. I spent my morning working on this:
Are you kidding me? I'm folding sweaters and you're doing THAT?!
Yeah, so no paperwork for me today! Just finished my last x-ray testing training session. That's how we make sure every weld is waterproof, which is kind of, well, important.
That's awesome. I've also done a cool thing:
Wow. 😴😴😴
Do you have an office? What's it like?
Wow. My "office" is basically a storage closet.
What, your office doesn’t have power tools and robots? 🤖🤖
Nope, but it does have jeans that seem to magically unfold themselves.
🤣🤣🤣
rights
Let's face it. Some careers come with more of the intangible "it factor" than others. When someone asks you what you do for a living, how will you answer?
I build futuristic machines that combat international terrorism and protect global trade routes.
I can fold shirts faster than anybody in the men's department.
I weld 400-foot sea vessels that safeguard our way of life.
I help customers find items in their size and recommend items to create outfits. I'm basically a celebrity stylist.
Certified to use a plasma torch.
I'm pretty legendary at pushing merch during the holiday season.
What will your career trajectory look like? Let’s compare paths to see what your future could hold.
JANUARY 2025
Start Expedited Training
I'll learn how to weld in as little as four months? Dope.
FEBRUARY 2025
Grow My Skillset
Skills unlocked: the ability to review blueprints, weld and fabricate, do inspections, maintain equipment, and more.
MARCH 2025
Pay Training Tuition
FREE
I may not have to pay for training at all through the ATDM program. No debt!
MAY 2025
Get My First Paycheck
Up to $59K/year
First paycheck already and no loan payments to make! 😎💰
JANUARY 2030
Become a Second Class Pipefitter
Up to $69K/year
Putting my Grade III silver brazing certification to use on Naval submarine fleet modernization.
January 2035
Move Up to Welding Supervisor
Up to $80K/year
Boss status begins. I'll continue to hone my skills while also supervising a team of welders.
JANUARY 2025
Look for a Job
I'm applying to every online retail posting I can find. So far, no one has gotten back to me. 😕
FEBRUARY 2025
Get First Interview
The store manager said I didn't have enough experience for the entry-level job. Er, isn't that what "entry-level" means?
MARCH 2025
Land My First Job
Finally! I got a shift at a clothing store ... they said I start in a month. 😬
MAY 2025
Get My First Paycheck
Up to $33K/year
Cha-ching! First paycheck is ... not stretching as far as I thought.
JANUARY 2030
Still a Retail Sales Associate
Up to $47K/year
I greet customers, fold and display garments, and label merchandise. Wheee!
JANUARY 2035
Become a Store Supervisor
Up to $76K/year
I train all associates on store policies and procedures. Amazon is still killing us and my feet hurt most days, but that's the business!
Your journey starts here
Everyone’s path is different; it’s about finding what’s right for you. Some paths include greeting customers and straightening socks. Some include working with teams to build machines and vessels that protect the nation.
What will you choose?
Sources
Training Length: 4-6 months
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
”How to Become a Welder in TX.” Best Trade Schools, www.best-trade-schools.net/locations/texas/welder-in-tx/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Training Cost: FREE
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Average Salary: $61K
"Salary Assessor®: Welder," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Training Length: 10 hours
"Wanna Fix Stores? Empirical Evidence Of What You Might Be Missing," Retail Systems Research, www.rsrresearch.com/research/wanna-fix-stores-empirical-evidence-of-what-you-might-be-missing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Training Cost: N/A
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-4. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Average Salary: $31K
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-5. Accessed 3 May 2024.
Sources
Pay Training Tuition, FREE
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
First Paycheck, Up to $59K
"Salary Assessor®: Welder," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Second Class Pipefitter, Up to $69K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Welder," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Welding Supervisor, Up to $80K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Welder," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
First Paycheck, Up to $33K/year
2022 Modeled Wage Estimates, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24 Aug. 2023, www.bls.gov/mwe/tables.htm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Retail Sales Associate, Up to $47K/year
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-5. Accessed 3 May 2024.
Store Supervisor, Up to $76K/year
"Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: 41-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes411011.htm Accessed 3 May 2024.