CONTRACTOR SUCCESS STORY : YOUMAN WELDING
and involves passing a lot of inspections . I had never failed an inspection , but it was very challenging to find work when I came back to California – it took me a whole year to get hired because no one here knew me and I was still considered a new welder , so many guys didn ’ t want to take a chance on me . I also didn ’ t know about unions back then , which would have helped me a lot .”
Once she was given the opportunity to prove herself , Veronica started getting jobs via referral . “ I have all my own equipment and I
know what I ’ m doing . Although I prefer pipe welding projects , I can do both structural and pipe welding and whenever I was out of work , I just kept calling around to get referrals . If you do a good job , people will refer you to your next job . I also joined the pipefitters union , which I wish I ’ d known about earlier ; they have been so supportive – always reaching out to me with welding jobs . The welding world is actually pretty small , so I ’ ve also grown through word of mouth , which has kept me very busy .”
Veronica Youman , welding 2-inch pipe at Gilead Sciences in La Verne , California .
SPRING 2024 LA CONTRACTOR CONNECTION - 17