Dawson Moore graduated from Dickinson State University (DSU) in 2023 after completing a one-year welding certificate. His interest in welding started after his brother went to college for welding in Bismarck. When DSU opened its welding program that same year, the timing worked out perfectly.
Moore liked that he could stay in town and avoid the cost of going elsewhere. With the help of grants and scholarships, the program was affordable and gave him the chance to focus on becoming a skilled welder while learning the science behind what makes a strong, quality weld. When he started the program, he was working at Walmart, but by the end of the year, he felt confident his skills could lead to a better job.
With professor Carl Bercibr’s guidance, Moore made a list of local welding companies and quickly heard back from Ironworks in Dickinson. Bercibr helped him practice the same weld test he would face in the interview. Moore passed the test, got the job, and graduated a few months later. He worked at Ironworks for about a year and a half, gaining hands-on experience.
Moore later joined his father’s business, Dakota Power Hydraulics, where he uses the welding skills he learned at DSU while also learning new trades like machining and hydraulic repair.
Overall, Moore’s story highlights how DSU’s welding program prepared him with practical skills, confidence, and real-world experience. “This one-year certificate I highly recommend,” Moore said.