Hey all, I’m 17 HS grad who just got accepted into a welding academy(Area 31 Career Center, Ben Davis High School, IN), which will give me a four month course on MIG welding and blueprint reading. Need some advice..

I know very little about welding, have yet to be able to try, but I’ve done my research on the type of career it is and I enjoy working with my hands- I’ve read plenty of posts warning of proper safety measures and to follow the rules, and I’m excited to start here in a few weeks, just a few questions-

What is a good brand to buy for safety? Clothes, shoes, eye protection, gloves, all are provided by the academy but i’d like to get my own set of protection regardless.

Is pursuing side gigs common?

Should I look into purchasing my own set up?

I have been doing research and so far my plan is after this school I’m going to enroll in the 440 union for pipefitters in Indiana, is union the best route to go for money/benefits?

Does anyone know what type of welding I should pursue to learn after MIG? I am still doing research so Im not sure what the union will teach me specifically.

I saw videos and posts mentioning things such as getting your own truck? Is this the lines of self contracting? I saw things saying those who do that can make a couple grand a week. What type of welding do those people do? Is it difficult to do that?

Is there any good books with welding tips,tricks, terminologies i can look into?

The main thing keeping me from researching lots of this my self is i dont know most the terminology, lol

Thanks for any help!