Still Building America—Dylan Huso, third-generation pipefitter/welder

Dylan Huso

A third-generation, 27-year-old pipefitter/welder out of Local 469 in Arizona, Dylan Huso has been welding since the day he graduated from high school. With 10 years in the trade, he loves training new welders and hopes to start his own welding business in the near future. Dylan recently answered some questions I posed to him.

JW: Could you explain what kind of work you do and what got you started?

DH: I am a journeyman pipefitter/welder out of Local 469 in Phoenix. A third-generation pipefitter, I have been around fabrication and welding my entire life. I wanted to follow inmy grandfather’s and my father’s footsteps and continue my family’s legacy in my local.

JW: Who were your career influences?

DH: Jesse James was a huge influence on me growing up. I remember watching his “Monster Garage” episodes on the TV and seeing all the amazing machines this guy was making all by himself. His work with his bare hands really pushed me to learn how tools and machines work, because I wanted to build these really rad and beautiful projects myself.

JW: What type of training do you have?

DH: I learned a lot about my trade from my father as a child. I was surrounded with welding and pipefitting as a kid, and a lot of my dad’s knowledge was passed to me from helping him at home with his work. I also completed a five-year apprenticeship program focused solely on welding, mechanical engineering, and steam hydronics, in which I became a journeyman upon completion.

JW: What is the favorite part of your job?

DH: My favorite part of the job is looking at projects or fab pieces I cut and welded together, installed and in service. It gives me a sense of satisfaction and makes me realize how fortunate I am to be able to make these things with my own hands.

JW: What is the most challenging part of your job?

DH: I would have to say the most challenging part for me is teaching new apprentices. I know how important it is when you are learning new things to be guided in the right way, and sometimes I am wrong, or I am not as clear as I’d hope to be. I want to be sure that I pass my knowledge down to the next person, because to me that’s what life is all about, teaching others.

Dylan Huso

JW: What's your future goal for your career?

DH: I hope to hit the road for a while and see new places, people, and jobs. I would really like to start my own company in the near future.

JW: What advice would you give your peers if they are interested in following your path or just need a little encouragement?

DH: Life happens; sometimes you want things to go a certain way and it doesn’t end up happening the way you wanted it to or planned. You just have to make the right adjustments and keep moving on. Learn from all your mistakes, because you will make plenty of them, and that’s what makes you who you are. Listen. Listening to how others do things will help you figure out your own way of doing things, and there is always someone out there that knows something you don’t. Just listen, and learn from everything you see and hear.

All images courtesy of Dylan Huso.

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