Before becoming a successful welder, Carlos Anduaga, 31, worked in dealerships for motosports. Then he turned to construction for financial stability.

Following eight years in the trade, Anduaga felt dissatisfaction and sought after a more creative and fast paced career. First he tried an online electricians course, then found a tuition-free weekend program for welding at San Diego College of Continuing Education. 

“It was a night and day difference, between going to electrications school online and learning how to weld in person,” said Anduaga, who enrolled at the College of Continuing Education in fall 2021, and is now on his way to becoming a motorsports fabricator.

When Anduaga started the program, he took weekend welding classes as he worked full-time. “This schedule allowed me flexibility, however I would lose a week of welding practice and by the weekend I had to restart. The learning process felt like it took forever,” he shared.

When the college had to close its weekend offerings, Anduaga was conflicted but adjusted quickly to an evening schedule during the week. “Going to night class four days a week made a big difference. I was able to put in more work to focus on my craft.”

While his studies were going well, Anduaga also experienced frustration with learning how to weld, a trade that takes a significant amount of time and dedication to perfect. “I would tell my professor that I was thinking about leaving because after one and half years, I still felt like I was not getting it.”

Now nearly three years in the program, Anduaga has completed his Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, and Flux-Cored Arc Welding certifications at the College of Continuing Education, preceding a Gas Tungsten Arc Welding certificate of completion, and is preparing to take the American Welding Society (AWS) qualification test, which will permit his entry into a union apprenticeship.

“I am extremely proud of Carlos and his dedication to hone his skills. Welding is not easy and he experienced his fair share of frustrations,” remarked welding instructor, Mike Bradbury. “But he knew what he wanted to do and he didn’t quit. He is now doing what he loves and what we trained him for.”

The pay-off is invaluable, says Anduaga. He now works for a general engineering construction company specializing in both wet and dry underground utilities.

“Although I am not AWS certified yet, I was able to show my employer my welding portfolio I completed at school, and my construction background. Now I work with an array of equipment repairing and hardfacing on CAT, John Deere’s, Bobcat Buckets, and other heavy machinery,” he said. “My construction background really helps in this role but one hundred percent I learned metal fabrication at the College of Continuing Education. They really teach you how to weld well.”

A passion for motorsports and racing remains for Anduaga. His dream is to become a motorsports fabricator, traveling the world and performing custom welds with pit crews for top race teams.

During the 2025 Baja 250, a legendary off-road race held in San Felipe, Anduaga jumped into action without hesitation. “I was filming the 2025 Baja 250 with my media business, when a  Brenthel Trophy Truck broke down in front of us at mile 20,” he recalled. “Fortunately, I had my welding equipment with me, and was able to repair and weld the team’s broken lower control arm and they finished the rest of the 250 miles.”

He continued, “That experience opened my eyes to develop a business as a mobile welder for racing. This college has opened many doors for me, not just in welding, but in film, and also being able to advocate for human rights.”

As part of a real-world learning curriculum, the College of Continuing Education creates a metal float each year for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade. Anduaga has worked with his classmates to weld together the world globe, the Black Family Statue, and the book of knowledge.

He concluded, “one of the coolest things about being a certified welder is being able to now arrive at a job site with my welding truck and machinery and to just weld instead of worrying about being on someone else’s time. I upgraded my title and my personal goals, and I get paid for it. That is why I put myself through school.”

Enrollment for summer 2025 is now open, to learn more about the College of Continuing Education, please visit, SDCCE.EDU.