{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"402. From Welding School to $100K: The KWI Kids Proving Everyone Wrong w\/ Landon Earlywine &amp; Jackson Settler","description":"Think fresh-out-of-welding-school means starting at the bottom? Landon Earlywine (19) and Jackson Settler (18) are about to change your mind. Six months after graduating from the Kentucky Welding Institute, these two are working 60-hour weeks doing TIG stainless pipe fab for data center infrastructure up in Logansport, Indiana \u2014 earning $38\/hr plus $120\/day per diem. In less than seven months, they've pulled in $95,000 combined, started Roth IRAs, bought reliable trucks with big down payments, and are on track to blow past $150K in their first year. Jason sits down with both of them to find out how they got here \u2014 from a high school ag teacher who flashed some money at them sophomore year, to grinding the third shift at KWI, earning their golden arm certifications, and landing a stainless schedule 10 TIG test in Indianapolis the morning after getting the call. They talk about the real curriculum at KWI beyond the booth \u2014 financial management, CCO rigging, CPR, and OSHA 30 \u2014 and what actually separates the students who land good jobs from the ones who don't. Plus: a totaled '92 Sonoma, a story about driving from Kentucky to Texas at 82 mph at 6 AM, a job box that survived a crash, and why they're not going anywhere until they hit the $100K wall at school. Topics covered: \u2022 TIG stainless pipe fab for data center infrastructure \u2014 the new pipeline boom \u2022 Working 5x12s and 6x10s fresh out of welding school \u2022 $95K in 7 months at 18 and 19 years old \u2022 The golden arm at KWI \u2014 what it takes and what it means \u2022 Financial literacy in trade school: Roth IRAs, principal payments, and smart money moves \u2022 CCO rigging, OSHA 30, CPR, and the full KWI curriculum \u2022 How a wrecked '92 Sonoma led to the job of a lifetime \u2022 Why 7 KWI classmates are all on track to hit $100K in year one \u2022 The $100K wall \u2014 and what you have to prove to get your hood on it.   \ud83d\udd25  Support the Arc Junkies Podcast Sponsors   The Arc Junkies Podcast is made possible by the companies below. If you enjoy the show, please support the brands that support the welding community.  Supporting these sponsors helps keep the Arc Junkies Podcast free and independent.   \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f  Arc Junkies Podcast    Website:  https:\/\/arcjunkies.com   Instagram:  @ArcJunkiesPodcast   YouTube:  https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@arcjunkiespodcast9253   Email:  show@arcjunkies.com   LinkedIn (Jason Becker):  https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jason-becker-45407b72    \ud83e\udde2  Arc Junkies Merch:https:\/\/shop.threadmob.com\/arcjunkie\/shop\/home     \ud83c\udfed  Underground Metal Works   Hands-on welding education for hobbyists, makers, and professionals    Website:  https:\/\/www.underground-metalworks.com      \ud83e\udd1d  Friends of the Show &amp;amp; Sponsors     \ud83e\uddf0  BattlBox   Premium outdoor, EDC, and survival gear delivered monthly    Website: https:\/\/alnk.to\/90Chh6D   Instagram:  @BattlBox   Promo Code:  ARCJUNKIES   Offer:  Save up to 30% off your first BattlBox      \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f  American Welding Society \u2014 Conferences   Stay current on inspection, code updates, and industry leadership   AWS Inspection Expo &amp;amp; Conference    Event Info:   https:\/\/www.aws.org\/community-and-events\/conferences-and-events\/welding-automation-expo-and-conference\/   Promo Code:  ARCJUNKIES   Offer:  Free gift at the event      \ud83e\udde4  Outlaw Leather LLC   Handcrafted welding hoods and leather PPE built to last    Website:  https:\/\/outlawleather.com   Instagram:  @outlawleatherusa   Promo Code:  ARCJUNKIES   Offer:  15% off all in-stock leather goods      \u26a1  Everlast Welders   High-performance welding machines without the high price tag    Website:  https:\/\/bit.ly\/37xJstI   Instagram:  @everlastwelders   YouTube:  Everlast Welders   Promo Code:  ARCJUNKIES   Offer:  Free Nova Foot Pedal + TIG Torch with qualifying machine purchases      \ud83c\udfa7  ISOtunes   Certified hearing protection designed for jobsite communication    Website:  https:\/\/shop.isotunes.com\/arcjunkies10   Instagram:  @isotunesaudio   Promo Code:  ARCJUNKIES10   Offer:  Save $10 on your purchase  &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Arc Junkies","author_url":"https:\/\/arcjunkies.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41486355\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/41486355"}