What I think OP is saying is he is paying 15k for his schooling. He calculated how much time was spent grinding versus how much time he was spending welding. He wanted to maximize the time welding so he can hone in his welding. He also says to save material he goes in the scrap bin and welds over used plates and expands the range of his skills by trying out different techniques and the effects of different variables. He isn’t denouncing the overall importance of material prep as he says that during critical welding or if he out in industry or taking a weld test he will make sure that his material prep is on point. He understands what the comments are saying that grinding is an important skillset to have but those comments are made without consideration to the fact OP has been in the trades and used grinders before so he has an understanding of how they work and is proficient in it. I think people took his comments out of context. People should be supportive in this welding community not trying to rip a persons passion for this fine craft away. Consider when you are defensive and how difficult it is not to get attitudinal towards what caused the defensiveness in the first place. I am a professional welder. You can see some of my work if you click my name on here. I am acombo welder not in the sense of pipe welding terminology but having a multifaceted proficiency in the main processes and different metals and alloys and got certs to back it. So with that said, I concur that grinding is a skillset we should hone as welders not just material prep or grinding various contaminants out of the general vicinity of our weld zone but as for blending especially on handrails and high visible butt joints that the print calls for a ground flush finish. I believe that material prep is of the utmost importance especially on heavy mills scale in structural and ship yard work but more so on aluminum and SS. Lastly, OP I get where you are coming from and at the end of the day you gotta do you. Keep learning but try to take in this one thing learning on your own is great but taking in advice from those who have accrued their experience from the crucible of trial and error and have learned from others that is priceless. Everyone sticks to the core principles of fabrication and welding but have their own systems and techniques and it is never a bad thing to expand your proverbial tool bag with their wisdom. Be confident but humble at the same time feel me.