What kind of careers are we talking about?
Careers in maritime manufacturing encompass everything from design and production to the assembly of various naval vessels and their components.

Additive Manufacturing
For the creators
3D print the parts that run the submarine.

CNC Machining
For the shapers
Shape everyday materials into extraordinary submarine components with advanced technology.

Metrology
For the inspectors
Use your knack for numbers and keen eye to ensure quality and spot mistakes.

Non-Destructive Testing
For the experimenters
Ensure that every submarine component is of the highest quality and safe for service.
Welding
For the makers
Use your torch to forge impenetrable bonds and piece together parts, systems and platforms.
Day

The career you choose now will inform what you'll be doing every day for the next several decades (no pressure). Let's take a look at a typical day at each job to see how you might spend your time.


My ring light blew out in the middle of recording. 🙃


I spent my morning doing tests on this:

Omg, that's SO cool.


Today we were working with ultrasonic radar technology to look for hairline cracks in the hull that could sink a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier. We're the last line of defense to stop that from happening ... these really experienced techs showed us everything we need to know. This job should come with an action movie soundtrack.
My work is significantly less awesome than that today:



Seriously don't know how you do it. 😴
What's your office like? Let me live vicariously through you.





Woooooowwww.


What? Your office doesn't have ultrasonic testing equipment? 😂
Lol, this is the state of my "office" right now:



BLINK TWICE IF YOU NEED ME TO SAVE YOU.
rights

Let's face it. Some careers come with more of the intangible "it factor" than others. When someone asks you what you do for a living, how will you answer?

When I pass a test, lives are saved.

I watch music videos made before I was born and say the music was better back then.

I use acoustic emission testing to "hear" microscopic cracks in military vessels.

I spam brands to get them to sponsor my content. Fingers crossed one of them notices!

I keep entire multibillion-dollar fleets afloat.

I'm not an influencer. I'm a CREATOR.

What will your career trajectory look like? Let’s compare paths to see what your future could hold.
JANUARY 2025
Start Expedited Training
I could be done with training in just one month? That's like an instant career.
FEBRUARY 2025
Grow My Skillset
Learn to inspect parts, components and assemblies, write NDT procedures and techniques, and interpret technical engineering requirements.
MARCH 2025
Pay Training Tuition
FREE
Cross this one off the list; looks like training doesn't have to cost me anything thanks to the ATDM program.
MAY 2025
Get My First Paycheck
Up to $66K/year
Wow, first paycheck is more than my older brother has been making for years. 😎💰
JANUARY 2030
Mastering My NDT Technician Job
Up to $81K/year
Got my certifications in radiographic and ultrasonic testing and am honing my understanding of continuous improvement methodologies.
JANUARY 2035
Move Up to Senior NDT Technician
Up to $95K/year
I find the smallest imperfections in vessels and equipment and take the necessary steps to keep everything working flawlessly.
JANUARY 2025
Prepare to Become an Influencer
Watching as many influencer videos as I can to see what works. I think I can get the hang of this!
FEBRUARY 2025
Uploaded My First Video
Let’s just check the views … 81. Including my mom. Well, gotta start somewhere.
MARCH 2025
Stay Alive
I picked up a few delivery jobs because, you know, I need to eat. 🍕
MAY 2025
Get My First Check
$36K/year
Getting paid by platforms for my content now! But it barely covers my cell phone bill. 📱💵
JANUARY 2030
Growing my Following
$50K/year
Making content is my passion. I'll go viral eventually if I keep at it, right?
JANUARY 2035
Hoping to Get Signed by an Agent
$39K/year
Need some brand deals to secure income. How am I making less money every year?!

Your journey starts here
Everyone’s path is different; it’s about finding what’s right for you. Some paths include include taking selfies and chasing brand deals. Some include using cutting-edge technology to inspect parts and vessels to ensure quality performance and protection for those who safeguard our nation.
What will you choose?
Training Length: 1 month - 1 year
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm, Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Quality Control Inspectors," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/production/quality-control-inspectors.htm#tab-4. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Training Cost: FREE
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Average Salary: $73K
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Average Salary: $0 - $50K
Harwell, Drew and Taylor Lorenz, "Millions work as content creators. In official records, they barely exist." The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/26/creator-economy-influencers-youtubers-social-media/. Accessed 2 May 2024.
Expedited Training
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Training Tuition, FREE
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
First Paycheck, Up to $66K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
NDT Technician Job, Up to $81K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Senior NDT Technician, Up to $95K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
First Check, $36K/year
Harwell, Drew and Taylor Lorenz, "Millions work as content creators. In official records, they barely exist." The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/26/creator-economy-influencers-youtubers-social-media/. Accessed 2 May 2024.
Growing my Following, $50K/year
Harwell, Drew and Taylor Lorenz, "Millions work as content creators. In official records, they barely exist." The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/26/creator-economy-influencers-youtubers-social-media/. Accessed 2 May 2024.
Hoping to Get Signed by an Agent, $39K/year
Harwell, Drew and Taylor Lorenz, "Millions work as content creators. In official records, they barely exist." The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/26/creator-economy-influencers-youtubers-social-media/. Accessed 2 May 2024.