Grad Profiles
Whitney Foyer
Whitney Foyer, 25, Woodstock, GA
Why did you become a welder?
I became a welder because I wanted to go into the trades and welding was what piqued my interest.
Where did you go to High School?
I went to Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. I played softball at Seminole State College in Orlando, Florida.
Who are you working for?
Grills by Demant- designing and building modular grills for commercial and residential use.
How did GTS help you?
GTS has helped me tremendously. Since there are so many different types of jobs out there, they did a phenomenal job of giving me welding basics that I took with me to my current job, and any future job I will obtain!
Bri Bolden
What city you were born or raised in: Born in Berkeley California. Raised in Atlanta, GA
Age: 27
High School you graduated from: Dutchtown High in Hampton, GA
Year you graduated: 2011. Graduated from college in 2015
Month and Year you graduated GTS: April 2019
Current Employer you work for: Man Special Effects / Tyler Perry Film Set
Wage: $30 per hour
Buddy Smith
What city you were born or raised in: Cartersville Ga.
Age: 20
High School you graduated from: Cartersville High School
Year you graduated: 2018
Month and Year you graduated GTS: November 2019
Current Employer you work for: South East Connections
Wage: $80K
“Georgia Trade School, is the best welding school in the metro Atlanta area hands down. They helped prepare me for my career in pipeline welding. The staff is some best in the business!”
Chuk Nwanochie
What city you were born or raised in: Nigeria, later to be brought the US when I turned two years of age
Age: 24
High School you graduated from: North Paulding High School
Year you graduated: 2014
Month and Year you graduated GTS: July 2018
Current Employer you work for: Local 72 Union
“Georgia Trade School open countless opportunities for me. The beloved administration are people I’m grateful to meet. As for the instructors, they are sincere; generous; well-focused; well-disciplined Craftsmen. The self-discipline and non-settling mindset of themselves are, what I believe to be, the foundation of their teaching.
I see Georgia Trade School to be a blessing that I was only able to receive through discipline and persistence. I’m indebted to the intangible skills given to me by Georgia Trade School.”
Eric Chavez
What city you were born or raised in: Jasper, Ga.
Age: 24
High School you graduated from: Gilmer High School
Year you graduated: 2013
Active Duty United States Marine: 2013-2017 as an 0311 Rifleman and 0331 Machine Gunner
Month and Year you graduated GTS: March 2018
Current Employer you work for: Boiler and Steam Performance
Wage: $120K
“I am beyond thankful and blessed for the opportunity that was offered to me by GTS, my life without a doubt has changed for the better and enabled me to continue to strive and achieve many goals! every single person and staff in GTS isn’t just an average worker, they are all incredible and gifted mentors! They are Professionals and the best at what they do, and for that I am forever grateful!”
Joseph Satterfield
What city you were born or raised in: Orange, Virginia
Age: 20
High School you graduated from: Orange County High School
Year you graduated: 2017
Month and Year you graduated GTS: December 2017
Current Employer you work for: A & B Process Systems
Wage: $25 per hour with 70+ hour weeks
“I had a great time while at GTS. The instructors and atmosphere was awesome and really set you up for the real world. I know I made the right choice when I chose you guys.”
Kelly Myers
Age 20 Canton, GA
Why did you become a welder?
I have always enjoyed building or working with my hands and when I was in high school, I did some volunteer set construction work for a local community theatre; and it was there where I got to weld for the first time. I thought it was super fascinating and I wanted to learn more about it! Now that I am in it, I feel like I could learn about it forever and still not know everything and I honestly really like that. It challenges me and I get to surprise myself with what I know or can accomplish. I knew I was not going to go the traditional college route, and welding was the first trade that interested me enough to want to pursue it professionally. It also seemed like a good career to start supporting myself at a young age, and I was right!
Who are you working for?
I work for North Georgia Fabrication and Machining Inc in Ball Ground GA. It is a very small family-owned custom fab shop where I’ve gotten to advance my welding skills and also learn a ton about machining! We do not make one specific product; we dabble in all sorts of stuff. So, I have done things from aluminum trailer fenders to dumpster repair to the tiny little bracket that holds the wires on the inside of your ceiling fan. It is very cool!
How did GTS help you?
The biggest thing I think GTS and the staff there did for me was teach me to believe in myself. I am sure that is a very cliche answer, but it is the truth! Every day the instructors pushed me even when I was down on myself because they knew I could do it. The only one in my way was me. I remember the first time I ran a SMAW bead overhead my first week I thought “I’m never going to get this certification”. As it would turn out, my overhead SMAW certification test ended up being the best plate I welded out my entire time at school. GTS taught me to trust myself, and I am not sure that was something I really had before. So, thank you very much for that!
Brodie LaPorta
High School: Woodstock High School
Grad Year: 2024
GTS Attendance: 2023-2024
Why Welding: My stepdad is a plumber, and as I looked at all the trades I kept coming back to welding.
Why Georgia Trade School: I have a had a few friends who came through here who enjoyed it. When I came for a tour, the staff was very friendly. Also, GTS was able to accept me while I was still in high school. My school was able to let me attend GTS through work-based learning.
Career Goals: I would like to end up working for Lockheed Martin as a welder. My goal is to own my own property and support myself and future family.
Gary Higginbotham
High School: Lassiter High School
Grad Year: 2017
GTS Attendance: 2023-2024
Why Welding: I was looking at the trades and welding really kept my attention.
Why Georgia Trade School: It was the closet to my house. It did not seem to be caught up in other things. They focus on the welding over everything else.
Career Goals: I hope to own my own rig and my own company doing fabrication and repair.
Emelia Smith
High School: North Paulding High School
Grad Year: 2023
GTS Attendance: 2023-2024
Why Welding: My dad is a project manager in the construction industry. He has pushed me to look at trades. When I started looking, I found a YouTube video with GTS and it had me sold.
Why Georgia Trade School: Because of the YouTube video.
Career Goals: I want to work in the film industry. I want to join the 927.
Tim Whitney
High School: Sylvan Hills High School
U.S. Army Veteran: 1988-1997
Grad Year: 1985
MOS: 18D Special Operations Medic
GTS Attendance: 2023
Why Welding: Was looking for a challenging trade. I am interested in building things.
Why Georgia Trade School: Reasonably close. The hands-on aspect was a big factor. Also, the Google reviews were very good.
Career Goals: I need to either cut coupons or have a way to earn some cash. I want to live comfortably in retirement.
Previous Career: I was a software product manager. I sat in a lot of meetings and spent long days at a desk.
Advice for Someone Changing Careers: Don’t believe the saying that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Don’t let fear stop you from stepping out of your comfort zone.
Logan Rethmel
High School: Newnan High School
Grad Year: 2023
GTS Attendance: 2023Logan received a job offer two weeks before graduating and is now employed atAero Bridge Works.
Why Welding: I was looking at the trades and was considering the electrician route, but I learned that railroad welders make more than railroad electricians. My goal is to work for the railroad.
Why Georgia Trade School: The number of hours I get to weld in a day really helped with my choice to pick GTS. Also, It was recommended by one of my neighbors.
Career Goals: I want to work on the railroad as a welder. I would like to own my own property one day.
Jacob Quintana-Gray
High School: Newnan High School
Grad Year: 2022
GTS Attendance: 2023-2024
Why Welding: My cousin is a welder in Texas, and he introduced me to it. After helping him weld a few things, I started looking at schools.
Why Georgia Trade School: I started looking at Georgia Trade School and another school. I chose GTS because of the pirate logo!
Career Goals: I want to attempt to master my craft as a welder. I want to be the master at my profession.