Graduate Connections – Meet Tyreke Cook

Tyreke, 20, was born and raised in Arizona on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Tyreke completed the seven-month Welding Specialist program at RSI in April 2025. 

Thanks for your time, Tyreke; did you go straight into the RSI welding program after high school?

I graduated high school in 2023, but my family was struggling, so I took a year off to support my grandparents, who raised me since I was a boy. I lived with them and helped as much as I could. The year after that, I decided to take welding seriously, so I enrolled myself in welding school, got everything ready, and when the day came, I was ready to go. That was September 2024.

How are your grandparents doing now?

They’re doing good. I check in every chance I get and spend time with them whenever I can. I’m heading up there to see them after work tomorrow for the Labor Day weekend.

You said your decision to pursue welding came after talking with your grandfather. Tell me about that.

Yeah, my grandpa was an old blue-collar man. We talked about a lot of different trades, but welding was the one that stuck with me. He had done some welding here and there, not as a trade, just bits of work, and he encouraged me. I didn’t have welding classes in high school, so I was completely green going in.

What was it that appealed to you? The money, the creativity, the chance to build something?

At first it was the money, the earning potential. But once I got into it at school, once I started welding, I developed a passion for it. The money and the career potential became a bonus because I loved doing it.

If you’re good at something you love, the money will come! What did you enjoy most about at RSI?

The hands-on time. I loved that we spent most of the time in the shop welding, not just sitting in a classroom. About 80/20 — one day in class learning the basics, then straight into the booth to practice. I got to weld for hours every day, and that’s how I learned best. Get as much as from the instructors as you can. They’re all great guys. They’ve been out there in the field for years, they know what they’re doing, but just be ready to take their constructive criticism. That’s how it is in the real world, and that’s how welding works. 

Since you were new to it, how did you find the program? Frustrating? Did you ever feel like quitting?

Not really. The welding itself came pretty easily to me, honestly. I mean it was hard, but I found if I stayed consistent, it would come to me. The hard part was actually balancing school with work. I worked nights at Wingstop to pay the bills, usually getting only 4–5 hours of sleep, then up for school in the morning; my class started at 7am.

You’d weld all morning, rest, then work Wingstop at night; that’s a grind. Did you get free wings at least?

Yeah, that was the upside!

So, who are you working for now?

I’m working for Triple B Garage Doors and Gates in Mesa. It’s a small family-owned company that fabricates and installs gates and fences. I started last week. There are four welders here; I found out last week that we are all graduates of RSI at different times.

That says something about how the company values RSI graduates. What do you do there?

I weld and fabricate gates and fences – we get them how the client wants them, weld them up, then we send them for powder coating before installation. I focus on the welding side. 

What’s your schedule?

My schedule is 5am to 1.30pm Monday to Friday; we get weekends off which is nice. We start early because of the heat. Maybe in the winter, we’ll start later, and I’ll get an extra hour or two in bed…! But I like the schedule, it gives me the afternoons off.

Congratulations on landing the job. Did RSI Career Services help you find the job?

Yeah, Jade in Career Services helped me a lot. She gave me tips, updates, kept me aware of career fairs, and pointed out opportunities. It took several months to get this role. It’s competitive out there. Million-dollar companies prefer people with several years’ experience, so it’s hard for a kid just out of school. That was the toughest part. But I kept a healthy mindset and stayed consistent. It was a Benjamin Franklin quote that made me change my mindset; “Earlier to bed, earlier to rise makes a man young, wealthy, and wise.”

Ben Franklin said a lot of smart things! What made you want to take this opportunity?

Honestly, I just wanted to get some experience. I didn’t know much about the company at first, but I knew I needed to start somewhere. My mindset is to build up experience so when bigger opportunities come, I’ll be ready. I’ve only been there a week or so, but the guys there are helpful. They show me how to measure, cut, and weld better. I appreciate that. I’m learning there.

Now, I’m guessing you’re not making top money yet, but are you satisfied with your paycheck?

Yes, I’m happy with it. I’m making way more than I did at Wingstop. For me, experience is more important than money right now. Most of what I earn goes to my grandparents anyway. I live simply, so I’m okay. And I 

Good for you. What’s your long-term career goal?

I want to get into pipeline welding. My goal is to travel and be on the road full time, doing pipeline work.

How long do you think before you’re ready?

Maybe two to three years. It depends how hard I chase it. If an opportunity comes earlier, I’ll jump at it, but I want to be prepared.

There’s also value in loyalty — sticking with an employer who took a chance on you for a while.

I agree. They asked me about loyalty in the interview, and I was honest. I got my first job when I was 15, and I stayed for four years. I understand the importance of sticking around.

What do you enjoy most about welding as a trade?

Dropping the hood and just being in that zone. It blocks everything else out. Then seeing your finished welds, and then the finished product – something beautiful you built – that’s the best feeling. Plus, knowing you get paid for it is a bonus!

Did you make some friends/connections at RSI?

Yes. My class was small, only about 12 at first, then down to eight or nine. We got close, and we still share opportunities and advice. They found work before I did, and they helped me out too passing information along, telling me about who’s hiring, and what to expect from a weld test and all that. 

That’s great. What advice would you give to new students starting at RSI?

Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. That’s the name of the game; you‘ve got to stay consistent and you’ve got to want to do it. The money’s great in welding, the money’s there, but you must have a mindset of wanting to do it for the welding, not just for the money. So, stay consistent, ask questions and learn everything you can from the instructors. 

Final question, are your grandparents proud of you? 

Yeah, they’re definitely proud of me. I love their reaction when I talk about passing this test, or when I tell them I got this job, or when I tell them what I’m doing. Honestly, it’s been worth it just to see their reaction!

If you’re an RSI graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year) and program.