I’m a single father of two children and work as a production manager in a welding manufacturing company in Texas. But here’s what else you should know. I am where I am now, both personally and professionally, because I decided – later in my life, as an older adult – to enroll in college.
Handling those three responsibilities at the same time – fatherhood, a job and higher education – was no lead-pipe cinch. (I’m more qualified than most people, by the way, to say “lead-pipe cinch” – I happen to make my living as a welder). Going in three directions at once meant I had to stay organized and manage my time just right.
So why, with my plate as a single, hard-working dad already overflowing, would I decide to pursue academic achievement, too? First, because I was always interested in manufacturing, particularly welding, and came to take a strong interest in leadership as well. But second, so I could better answer the highest calling in my life, namely serving as a family breadwinner. I had to find occupational opportunities that would establish long-term stability for me and my children, Trista, 18, and Naimaa,16.
So I enrolled in Rockford Career College. There, I learned the ins and outs of welding, ranging from its materials and its processes to its safety standards. Just as valuable, my experience taught me discipline, attention to detail and an ironclad work ethic, each quality applicable in any field.
It made a big difference. It gave me a highly marketable skill set in an essential trade and a clear path to success. It enabled me to enter the manufacturing industry, starting with the most basic tasks, and build a stable career.
My education equipped me to combine my hands-on experience as a welder with management abilities and grow into leadership roles. Today, my job at United Alloy – the company produces metal fuel tanks, reservoirs, skids, frames, chassis, trailers, heavy-metal fabrications, and complex weldments – demands a lot of both my head and my hands.
I oversee daily welding operations to make sure that production is completed efficiently, on schedule and, above all, safely. I manage weld teams, coordinate jobs, track labor hours, and step in to solve problems on the floor when issues come up. And because I started as a welder, getting my hands dirty the same as anyone else, I can better understand and relate to my team about the challenges they deal with every day.
Ultimately my role is nothing more and nothing less than to keep everything moving, complete our projects properly and help guide our teams to succeed. Oh, yeah, and I enjoy it, too.
The biggest reward? My strong relationship with my children. Nothing else even comes close. I take pride in setting an example of where hard work and a sense of responsibility can get you. How do you put a price tag on that?
Sometimes fathers, including single fathers, are misunderstood and underappreciated. People assume we’re less involved as parents. But that’s far from the reality. We’re just as committed as any parent. We pull out all the stops to raise our kids right.
Maybe you, too, are currently a single father holding down a full-time job but looking to advance yourself and considering going to college. What’s my advice? Stay consistent and dependable. Focus on being present rather than perfect. Build routines to stay organized. Never be afraid to ask for help when needed. Remember that the effort you invest every day brings dividends. Keep bettering yourself to give your kids the future they deserve.
Now a confession. I started from humble beginnings. I made more than my share of mistakes. I had a hard time and was my own worst enemy. But somehow, piece by piece, I welded my life back together.
So take my word for it: If I can do this, so can you.
