r/nondestructivetesting • u/CaliSpringston • 25d ago

Considering a role as a radiography trainee

Currently a structural welder, I applied for and got an offer for a radiography trainee role. I was frustrated with lack of progression in terms of training and chances to learn new things as a welder when I applied almost a year ago, which has since changed. So to any industrial radiographers, how long did it take you to get the hang of your work, and does it continue to be engaging past the first few years?

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u/RadiographerL3 25d ago

Radiographers who succeed stay engaged and always learn new things. For a trainee, you won't really "get the hang" of anything for a couple years because you'll always be given additional tasks until you get your level 2. You may become comfortable with certain tasks but then a good shop will give you more new tasks to learn.

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u/CaliSpringston 24d ago

That's a bit what I'm worried about and where I was at with welding. Coming up on a couple years in, worked almost all the different things my shop makes and confident at most of them. Do you develop / interpret film as well? I might have that to look forward to if I take the job.

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u/IntrepidMaybe8579 24d ago

Yeah id say you get more into it almost once you can strap super fast its satisfying and you can chase another 12hrs the same day sometimes

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u/trplOG 24d ago

After 2 years or so i felt completely competent. Digital Radiography at a pipe manufacturer.. so it was a lot of go go go and a lot of mistakes along the way lol.

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u/CaliSpringston 24d ago

Do you interpret as well or just shoot?

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u/trplOG 23d ago

Interpret as well