What's your day job? [Archive]

davepowers

03-04-2012, 22:13

Although I'm only a Junior in high school, I work as a precision machinist at Micro Inserts, a machine shop in Southington, CT. I make tool holders for Pratt and Witney, the same tool holders they use to create parts for their jets! I also grind a little carbide on the side, and fix lawnmowers and snowblowers, both with my boss at Micro.

I wouldn't have gotten the job if it wasn't for FIRST. My boss and I actually met because I was friends with his son and invited him down to a GUS meeting, and worked with him making parts for the robot last year! After the build season was over he called me and offered me the job, I didn't even need an interview! This year my boss and I spent countless hours at Micro machining parts for this years robot, an experience I wouldn't have been able to do anywhere else, I love working with the CNC mill, and that gave me an excuse! :] I love FIRST!

[Edit] I'd also like to point out that I will be attending college in a year an a half and my boss has already agreed that when I come home in the summer I will be able to work for him again! Something that has put me in a really good mindset to have job security like that at a young age! FIRST can open doors for everyone involved in the program, you just have to not be afraid to go look!

-D

jmiller48167

03-04-2012, 22:23

CAD designer of the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank.
I tell my kids I draw circles and squares, some squares have more circles some circles have more squares.

AcesJames

03-04-2012, 22:32

Currently employed as a Human Resources Clerk at the theme park Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA. I don't do anything STEM related, and the job has nothing at all to do with FIRST.

~Cory~

03-04-2012, 22:34

I tell my kids I draw circles and squares, some squares have more circles some circles have more squares.

This is going into our team handbook as to what CAD team is expected to do :D

AlexH

03-04-2012, 22:36

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5UmfG7r_I&context=C4e06c43ADvjVQa1PpcFOO5UutRsfauwGB7-SS9l7Rua1K61-K9zc=
I used to fight battlebots for a summer job... until the company closed due to stupidly high overhead. We used to rent them out for birthday parties... and other events. We'd bring 10 bots, and an arena and then run a round robin tourney.

I now have two jobs. I work at a farm and I also am a professional hobart feeder (dishwasher).

Somehow I also manage to be a high school student too...

BrendanB

03-04-2012, 22:45

I'm in charge of the Wine Department at a local grocery store. Doesn't sound like much of a job but considering who runs it at other stores in the chain I'm honored I have employers who trust me to do so and I love it!

MarcD79

03-04-2012, 22:52

I work for Sears as an on the road service technician. I repair Dishwashers, Ranges, Microwaves, Compactors, & Gas grills.

Garten Haeska

03-04-2012, 23:00

When im not at school or on the golf course, i work part time at the local grocery store as a manager

Kyle A

03-04-2012, 23:02

I have a couple day jobs, for the past 6 years I have worked at Custaloga Town Scout Reservation. It is a boy scout camp,and i pretty much do it all there, mow lawns, clean, life guard, teach, repair things, cook,sing, and more. My main position though is handicraft director, I teach arts and craft merit badges. And more recently I have started Teaching the robotics merit badge.

My other job while i'm not at camp is a shift manger at a local gas station. I know nothing exciting, but it gave me the time to help Mentor the team and go to events.

I just this week got hired at a local machine shop in town, Great Lakes Manufacturing. I was interviewed for a quality control job, and also a machine operator and programmer of an electronic bending machine. When i was interviewed the guy was really interested in FIRST and what I did, even though its been a few years since I've had hands on work on the robot. Needless to say I got the job working with the robot bending machine.
After I start and get trained more I will be able to say a bit more about what I do, but I know if it wasn't for FIRST I wouldn't be where I am at now.

tim-tim

03-04-2012, 23:17

Mechanical Engineering student at Virginia Tech, class of '12.

Then off to the Department of Defense where I have Co-Op'ed and Interned for several years, Patuxent River Naval Air Station in MD. There I work on structural modifications to different A/C platforms and installation packages. I have drawn a lot of Inspiration from FIRST robots and vice-versa. I love my job!

s_forbes

03-04-2012, 23:18

I am currently employed by Intel, where I help develop and optimize the wafer singulation process for new products in addition to resolving tool issues on the factory floor. It's a very rewarding position; I get to get my hands dirty in a lot of really cool high tech products and equipment. A lot of the tools we use have similar pneumatic components as those used on FIRST robots as well, so I feel right at home.

Related fun story: I was originally introduced to FIRST as a senior in high school when a few friends and our dedicated chemistry teacher started up a team (the NERDS, team 1726). We got guidance from team 842 when we were starting up, and they gave us a lot of pointers that influenced how our team ran. 5 years later, I graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and moved to Phoenix to work at Intel (I can thank FIRST for giving me the background necessary to get the position). Given my close proximity to team 842, I now serve as an engineering mentor for the same team that helped get me started in robotics in the first place. What goes around comes around! :)

Tom Line

03-04-2012, 23:28

Manufacturing engineer for machining and assembly lines at an engine plant building 6.2L engines, as well as a manager line workers and trades on the afternoon shift.

EricH

04-04-2012, 00:09

Mechanical Engineering student, class of '12 (and by my count, 16 days of class and 1 or maybe two tests and then it's graduation). After that, I'm still looking for work, though I'll be taking a week at the end of May to compete with my senior design group.

sanddrag

04-04-2012, 00:26

Mechanical Engineering Class of 2010 at Cal Poly Pomona. Currently employed for the second year as a full time Engineering and Technology teacher at Clark Magnet High School. I have participated in the development of robotics and engineering curriculum for Los Angeles County high schools and a local community college, and currently serve as the Technology Department Co-Chair and lead advisor of FIRST Robotics Team 696 at Clark. I have written small and received small grants and have been a part of the brainstorming, writing, and application process for a multi-million dollar STEM grant. During my time teaching, I have developed entirely new products from scratch, for use in my classes. I have also managed the budget for and implemented a new 2500 square-foot engineering projects lab on campus.

In short, I do everything. Teaching, especially in STEM, is a career in which you do anything and everything and need skills from all areas. One day I may be hauling cargo in the back of my truck, the next day I play IT technician, the next day I may be advising top officials in the school district on how to spend millions of dollars. The bottom line though is that everything I do is for the students in the end. It's really a varied job. In the right school and district, it's incredibly exciting and rewarding. There has not been a dull moment since I started in August of 2010, and there's only greater things still to come.

Madison

04-04-2012, 00:29

I am newly a software engineer working on products relating to high-volume mailing solutions and data-quality products. It's been an exciting new challenge and a complete change of pace from the mechanical design work I've done for the prior 6 or 7 years.

Previously, I was a mechanical designer working on destructive and non-destructive crash test systems (http://www.seattlesafety.com/products/servovid1.html) for automotive and aerospace applications.

tsaksa

04-04-2012, 00:46

I am an electrical engineer working for a large computer and technology company. I develop automated test equipment used to determine the performance and expected life of our products as well as to track down process and manufacturing problems. I have also worked with automated electro mechanical systems, automated test and measurement equipment, ultra high speed imaging systems, high volume manufacturing lines, PLC's, lasers, microwave systems, MEMS devices, and more. I hold several utility patents and have a few new ones in the works. But the best thing about my job is that it helps to provide me the knowledge and resources to pursue all manner of fun after hour projects in my secret lair, a laboratory workshop hidden behind a secret passageway in my basement.

thefro526

04-04-2012, 07:20

My Job Title is Engineering Designer & Project Manager at a shelter company based out of NJ and I'm also a part time student. My involvement in FRC is primarily why I was offered a job here while still in HS and part of why I got the hang of things so quickly. My employer is a big supporter of FRC, he was the title sponsor for my former team.

Ravage457

04-04-2012, 07:38

After Robotics, I am an aircraft mechanic, working on commercial and military engines for Kelly Aviation Center/Lockheed Martin..... i mainly work on the the Accessories for the engines like the Main Engine/Fuel Controls

Peter Matteson

04-04-2012, 07:44

Current Job title:
Senior Project Engineer Pratt & Whitney, Mechanical Systems and Externals, Next Generation Product Family

This means I run a team of designers and structural engineers that designs the parts on the outside of our next generation aircraft engines. Currently I work on the engine for the Bombardier C-Series that will be making its first flight late this year or early next year.

Prior to that I designed, tested and installed Geothermal powerplants for UTC Power and Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, same product 2 different divisions of the corporation.

Prior to that I designed fuel cells for automotive, mass transit and commercial applications at International Fuel Cells/UTC Fuel Cells/UTC Power.

Wayne C.

04-04-2012, 07:56

I teach, primarily AP Biology, and have done so for half of my life. My job is to prepare future doctors for the rigors of college by challenging them in high school.
In my non-teaching time I do the same for future engineers by putting them through FRC. Occasionally I get students where the disciplines overlap and really great things happen.

On top of that my wife and I have raised 4 children of which three have followed the engineering path through FRC. Family is a full time job in itself.

My day job is a never ending facet of my life and my quest for happiness,knowledge and inner peace proceeds unabated.

pfreivald

04-04-2012, 07:58

Mr MOE

04-04-2012, 08:02

I have worked for DuPont for 23 years (showing my age, now).

I have a BS and BS in Engineering Mechanics from Penn State.

For the first eight years at DuPont, I was part of our Early Career Engineer rotational development program, where I had an opportunity to try out a number of different engineering assignments. I was in product development for composite materials for satellites and aircraft, then worked as a structural analysis consultant. My last assignment was a recruiter for the rotational development program. I really enjoyed the assignment and it catapulted me into a human resources career at DuPont.

My current role is University Relations & College Recruiting Manager for our US Talent Acquisition group at DuPont. In my job, I coordinate college recruiting activities in the US and Puerto Rico. The recruiting involves student employees (co-ops and interns) and early career graduates, BS, MS, and PhD. Most of the engineers we hire are chemical, mechanical, and electrical.

If you are interested in more information, drop me a line or connect with me on LinkedIn.

It's been a great career and, on top of it all, I've been involved with FIRST for 13 years!

Gary Dillard

04-04-2012, 08:19

"Why yes, actually I AM a rocket scientist" I work for Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne; currently I'm modeling hardware for the Space Launch System (SLS). I'm actually using my Master's thesis code to perform weight optimization of propellant tanks and fairings and generate parametric CAD models of the hardware for trade studies.

But for most of my career, the answer would have been "If I tell you, I'll have to kill you". I can neither confirm nor deny that I've worked on alot of pretty cool stuff. I've worked for the Jet Engine side of Pratt & Whitney, the Undersea side of Lockheed Martin, the Space & Rocket side of Boeing, and a Nuclear Plant at TVA, always doing structural / mechanical design and analysis.

Koko Ed

04-04-2012, 08:59

Materials Handler.
A fancy way to say fork truck driver. If you ever been to Home Depot or Lowes and seen an employee driving around one of those stand up fork truck (narrow aisle fork trucks) those are the ones I drive. But they don't close up any aisles when I drive around. I'm just required to look out for civilians while I drive around delivering parts.

Al Skierkiewicz

04-04-2012, 09:00

Officially I am a Broadcast Engineer for the most watched Public Television Station and arguably the best Classical FM radio station in the country. (We at least have the largest music collection) I am one of five people who design, install and maintain our broadcast plant. My primary responsibility is audio and as such I watch over the TV and FM On Air audio performance, multitrack recording studios, and just about anything from microphones in the studio to the transmitters on Sears Tower. Our largest audio desk is a 128 input, 96 track automated console with both digital and analog outputs totaling nearly 200 and up to 7 channel (film style) surround mix-down. I have just completed installation and design of a fully digital news audio control system also in 5.1 surround. Currently I am working on a refit for the radio station of 5 studios and network operations with all new digital consoles using audio over IP. This station has produced some of the best music for television programming over the years. This includes the Soundstage series (which I have been part of since the very beginning), Jazz programs with Ramsey Lewis, Chicago Symphony and Opera companies, Ravinia Music Festival, and all kinds of one time only music shows. I began TV work at my high school so that makes this my 47th year in broadcasting.

E. Wood

04-04-2012, 09:18

I am a Flight Test Engineer for the Navy. My job includes planning, conducting, and reporting on flight test projects for Naval Aircraft. I can draw a direct link between my participation in FIRST as a student to my college internship to my current position with the DOD. Without FIRST on my resume I would not have gotten my internship which provided me with the experience necessary to get hired into my current job.

SteveGPage

04-04-2012, 09:27

I am the Education Lead for the Professional Services Division of a Business Intelligence Software Company. I manage a team of Education Consultants, work with our customers to develop and deliver training, act as the project manager for all major education initiatives within the company, and even, occationaly, get to teach once in awhile! Years ago, I was a local HS Physics, Chemistry, and Earth/Space Science teacher, before going to work as an Education Consultant for a number of companies. I also have taught at the local college, as an adjunct professor in the Computer Science Department.

While that job pays the bills, my true passion is teaching the kids on our team! So I still teach Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science to HS students - I just don't get paid by the school system, but I get "paid" by being able to see our students grow and develop!

its da PAT!!!

04-04-2012, 09:28

When I am not at school. I work at a small company called Fastenal (Indiana distribution center). I work in what they call unit load. Just another word for moving items and packages. But I do get to use a robot crane all day and its a good job for a college student, like me.

Jared Russell

04-04-2012, 09:32

Research Scientist/Software Engineer in the robotics lab of a major aerospace contractor in the Philadelphia area.

I work in "applied research and development", a middle ground between cutting-edge university research and productization. We are funded by organizations like DARPA, ONR, AFRL, etc., to evaluate and develop new technologies in robotics for use by the Department of Defense. Some areas that I work in on a daily basis are autonomous path planning/AI, computer vision, robotic manipulation, and guidance/navigation/control (GNC) for a variety of robotic platforms (land, air, surface, submerged).

Tom Ore

04-04-2012, 09:47

I design transmissions for John Deere tractors. Prior to Deere, I designed on-highway truck transmissions for Eaton and before that tank transmissions for GE. Interesting FIRST connection - IKE from the Killer Bees now works with the GE transmission that I worked on in the mid 1980's.

Lisa Perez

04-04-2012, 09:47

Researcher/mechanical engineer in the Human Neuromechanics Laboratory at the University of Michigan.

Currently, I'm working on the development of a robotic ankle orthotic (and its controller) for use by people who might not have control over how their ankle moves.

CalTran

04-04-2012, 10:05

But for most of my career, the answer would have been "If I tell you, I'll have to kill you".

That's the answer we get from some of our Honeywell mentors. Either that, or we get the response of "We work on the non-nuclear components of nuclear missiles."

As for me, I'm just a junior in High School. I'd like to get into some internships that are engineering related (Electrical or mechanical) just to get some outside-of-FIRST experience. I just have absolutely no idea where to look...any advice would be appreciated (PM me preferably)

Ian Curtis

04-04-2012, 10:08

Thanks everyone, fascinating to see how CD makes the world work.

I had the opportunity to intern at Boeing Commercial Airplanes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBmxFWfX1YQ) last summer, and when I graduate in May I'm going back. I worked in stability and control (ie making sure the airplane does what the pilot commands), and it looks like that is where I'll be going when I get back. Most of my work involved running simulations, but we support flight testing and tunnel tests too.

The summers of my 1st and 2nd years of college I worked at a vintage car auction. Tracking the paperwork got tedious, but moving the cars was always fun!

JamesBrown

04-04-2012, 10:18

I am an Electrical and Software Engineer for AREVA NP. I design control systems for robots and manipulators for non-destructive examination of Nuclear Power Plants.

Brandon Holley

04-04-2012, 10:30

I am a Mechanical Engineer at Osram Sylvania Inc's Solid State Lighting R&D center.

I design LED based lighting solutions to replace various traditional sources (incandescent, HID, flourescent, low pressure sodium, etc). The idea being that LEDs can save consumers money by reducing electricity costs and maintenance costs for the tradeoff of a slightly higher upfront cost. As time goes by, that higher upfront cost will hopefully come down and therefore create a much better solution for a sustainable future!

-Brando

techhelpbb

04-04-2012, 10:36

I am partially responsible for computer security for a leading global financial software vendor and I own and operate several small business involving computers, electronics, engineering and robotics.

My hobby is my work. If I'm not building something related to FIRST I'm probably writing code, developing a product, or fixing something (including cars (electric/fuel), CNC machines and industrial machinery).

I've developed projects that involve: military, LED lighting, biomedical, handicap retrofits, ultrasonics, AI, real time video, RTOS, fly-by-wire, optics, electrochemical process, high performance computing, semiconductor design and aerospace.

JuliaGreen

04-04-2012, 10:51

I'm in technology - working with school districts of all sizes on state and federal reporting requirements and their management software (And no, I cannot help you get scheduled with your favorite teacher or fix your grades).

Most of my day is spent untangling interesting problems where we use an analogy of fire-fighting, fire prevention and fire proofing.

I'm also a National Board Certified Teacher and love to see what FIRST can do with students - it is the most amazing thing. I am in education because my parents would only pay for college if I was a teacher, nurse or secretary. So, I started as a science teacher and branched out to computers/networks/servers. Yes, times have changed and I write this to encourage everyone to find and follow their passion.

I have 3 kids - and they all like STEM (they better!).

Julia (just a robot mom - for now!)

Mikell Taylor

04-04-2012, 11:01

I'm a Systems Engineer at Bluefin Robotics, which makes underwater robots (AUVs).

As a systems engineer I'm basically the lead engineer on projects and I cover two of our main product lines. I occasionally step in as a project manager (on some of the smaller programs) or sales engineer (on some big proposals) as necessary.

In addition to getting to play with robots for a living, the benefit of working with underwater robots is that I get paid to go out on a boat -- awesome on nice days in the summer, less awesome on cold rainy days in the winter -- and travel quite a bit as we do acceptance testing and training in all parts of the world.

Basically, all my hopes and dreams as a young FIRSTer have come true!

ghostmachine360

04-04-2012, 11:10

I work as a social media consultant & IT engineer for World Harvest Church in Roswell, Georgia, and a part-time marketing/membership sales associate at the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA branch in Marietta, Georgia while in college.

kellymc

04-04-2012, 11:19

I'm a patent attorney.

I have a mechanical engineering degree as well as a law degree. I work with a venture group evaluating new technologies to invest in.

Kyle

04-04-2012, 11:21

I work full time as a Fire Fighter / EMT for the past 5 years and have been working as an EMT for the past 7 years. I also own a business providing onsite medical care at sporting and large crowd events and we also provide safety assessments of sites for events and teach CPR and First aid courses. I was able to start and now operate a growing business because of the mentors from my FIRST team that taught me how to put together a solid business plan with risk assessments, goals and the all important FIRST task, how to properly manage time and supplies. My business is less then a year away from 100% funding my education and projected less then 5 years away from making me my own boss.

rsisk

04-04-2012, 11:27

Principal Designer, Sage Software in Irvine, CA

I have been involved in software development since joining the Air Force in 1980. Worked on mainframe computers (Burroughs B2700, Univac 1100/2200), through the PC era (DOS 4.0 and beyond), Windows, web development, finally on to software design. I have been designing business software (ERP) since the mid 90s.

Alexa Stott

04-04-2012, 11:50

The various things I do for moolah:

High School Teacher: Physics, Robotics, American Sign Language
College Adjunct Instructor: American Sign Language
Writer (sold several short stories; first novel coming out this fall)
Beekeeper (doubling my number of colonies this spring... could get interesting!)

That's...really diverse. And cool! They offer a beekeeping class here at my university but I've always been too afraid to take it.

As for me...I'm just a computer science and psychology double degree at UMD and working on adding a minor in LGBT studies. I work in the College Park Scholars Science, Technology, and Society program as an undergraduate TA. I am currently a discussion section leader for the freshman colloquium. Last summer, I worked with my program director on a proposal to get a FIRST partnership started at the university. The director of the Maryland Robotics Institute was pretty supportive of it, but the dean of engineering was not as enthusiastic. Instead, we designed a service-learning practicum for sophomores in the program that allows them to go to a local high school and work with their robotics club. We still haven't given up on trying to get some sort of FIRST or Vex program going there, though...

In the past, I've worked as a machine learning researcher developing a system to automatically detect regional US accents.

Brian C

04-04-2012, 13:47

During the day (and nights as it turns out) I work for National Grid - US and I'm responsible for operating the natural gas transmission and distribution system for Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. We also operate the Gas System for a majority of Upstate NY as well.

The day/night reference is due to working rotating 12 hour shifts from 5 to 5.

I have to say it's great being able to tell people that you "pass gas" for a living :)

pfreivald

04-04-2012, 14:11

That's...really diverse. And cool! They offer a beekeeping class here at my university but I've always been too afraid to take it.

Don't be afraid! Beekeeping is awesome, and I really wish I got into it as a teenager (when I was first interested) instead of as a 30-year-old. The absolute worst that might happen is that you get stung, and as long as you're not allergic you'll be fine. On nice, sunny days with a heavy nectar flow (that is, lots of things blooming) I can generally keep 20 colonies without a single bee even trying to sting me. (Though on overcast days or in nectar dearths, it seems that every single one is intent on hideous me-murder!)

If you're interested, try it! If not a whole class, find a local beek and ask if you can spend a day (or an hour or two) with them in their yard. (You'll need a suit and veil of course.)

ColleenShaver

04-04-2012, 14:28

I am currently the Assistant Director of the Robotics Resource Center at WPI. For my day job, I get to run the robotics tournaments that take place on campus or are supported by WPI. These include an FRC Regional and off-season, FLL for all of MA, NASA Centennial Challenge, etc.

In addition to running tournaments, I also help support our competitive robotics teams on campus like FIRST and BattleBots, summer programs, and the RBE academic program as needed.

Prior to coming to WPI, I worked at FIRST for two years teaching classes in FIRST Place and managing a variety of workshops and conferences (which I often still do).

I have a BS in System Dynamics (minor in Org Leadership) and a MS in Marketing & Technological Innovation. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that my experience in FIRST as a student directly influenced where I am in my career right now!

S.P.A.M.er

04-04-2012, 14:28

As for me...I'm just a computer science and psychology double degree at UMD and working on adding a minor in LGBT studies. I work in the College Park Scholars Science, Technology, and Society program as an undergraduate TA..

That's amazing! I'm just starting to accept myself as lesbian.

As to what i do for work around High School and Varsity softball, i train horses and am working on getting an engineering inturnship with Florida Power & Light's St. Lucie Nuclear Plant.

Michael Corsetto

04-04-2012, 15:18

Currently, I work full time for a non-profit houseboat and water ski camp. Church youth groups bring their high school and junior high kids out on the water for week-long retreats all throughout the summer. Right now we are preparing for our summer season, hiring staff, maintaining equipment, etc.

In the summer I will be serving as Director on our Lake Shasta location, responsible for ~50 staff and lots of equipment, including 5 ski boats and 10 houseboats. Living on a boat for ten weeks, not bad :p

After August 19th, who knows! I have a Mechanical Engineering degree from UC Davis and no plans :)

Cool to hear what all of the people I've come to know on CD do IRL!

-Mike

jwfoss

04-04-2012, 15:25

A Clarkson University graduate of 2010, I spent just under two years working for GDEB on various submarine components in their technical rotation program. I have since moved on to a job with Parker where I am currently a tooling design engineer for roll forming as well as some automation work.

RoboMom

04-04-2012, 16:03

I have been a consultant in the non-profit, education, and health care worlds for many years - mostly around the areas of project and people coordination. I have a long and varied resume and have had some wonderful work experiences and real adventures. Forest ranger, commissioned officer, registered nurse, researcher, professional descriptive analyst (aka - taste tester for a very large corporation). I have a Master's Degree in Public Health.

I was recently hired for a short term (6 month) position for a very large school district.
My title is "Robotics Events Director".
How I got here has been a fun journey. I'm still not that interested in robots. ;)

MotorHead

04-04-2012, 18:09

Professor of Mechanical Engineering at a community college by day. Teach pretty much all subjects as we are just a department of 3 people.

On the side, my wife and I run a small farm raising llamas, alpacas, sheep, chickens and misc. other critters running around.

So on any given day I can go from solving a differential equation to shoveling llama poop to programming a robot. It keeps me entertained to say the least.

Jeff

nobrakes8

04-04-2012, 19:38

Graduated from RIT in 2010 and now I'm an engineer at lockheed working on 5th generation fighter jets.

Alex Cormier

04-04-2012, 19:49

... Until about 4 years ago I worked with small companies building custom automation machinery. I was surprised when I started in FRC four years ago to see how much the program is like real machine development. You find out what the customer wants (the game) and the machine specs (the robot rules). You usually start by figuring out how to accomplish the task then start thinking about the machine. You have a budget and not as much time as you would like. You have mechanical, electrical, programing, marketing, etc. One of my favorite parts of FIRST is that it exposes high school students to so many things that are found in the workplace that they have a much better idea what they would like to pursue.

My current day job is doing just that. I am in the electrical field for automation machines at a small local shop.

At night I fight crime... oh wait you didn't see that...

Actually at night, I work and don't earn a paycheck. :p Yah might know the company. It's new but has some great products. ;)

Nawaid Ladak

04-04-2012, 21:34

I'm a senior at the University of Central Florida pursuing a B.A. in Political Science. The program provides three separate tracks for graduation, i plan on fulfilling two of them (American Politics, International and Comparative Politics). I plan on working on a campaign this upcoming election cycle and eventually find myself working in Washington D.C. for an elected official or a Political Action Committee. If that doesn't hold true, I'm also keeping options for graduate school available, specializing in either campaign management, public opinion, or urban planning.

Currently, I work part time as an inventory management specialist at Noble Communications, an AT&T indirect dealer in the Orlando and Jacksonville metropolitan areas. I handle inventory matters for all the stores our company operates. This includes phones, tablets, cases, chargers, and other various things you may find at your local cell phone store. My job is to make sure that our salespeople have the products that they're trying to sell to customers. and that the company keeps a steady cashflow while doing so.

Deetman

04-04-2012, 21:56

I am an electronics engineer with a large aerospace/defense contractor. Currently I work on electrical ground support equipment that tests various components. In my current role I have designed/analyzed circuit card assemblies, chassis sub-assemblies, cables, and supported test and debug of said items. Additionally I have supported design reviews and technical interchange meetings with the customer. I'm just now starting to get in on early concept/proposal stuff for future work.

Day to day I'm working in the lab or at my desk working on paper work, presentations or designing some circuits.

staplemonx

05-04-2012, 09:09

Hello

I am an engineer at the Boeing Rotorcraft division in Philadelphia. I currently the lead engineer on a 2 year redesign effort and have a team of 5 folks working for me. My back ground includes lots of technical degrees and licenses, many of them earned at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University that all revolve around the aerospace industry or aircraft in some way. I am only a second year mentor so I still need to do a lot of learning and research while helping a rookie team. Combine that with trying to set up resources for robotics teams across Philadelphia since they canceled most of the robotics programs due to budget cuts last summer. I am also in currently attending grad school and fear that before the end of this quarter I will forget what my family looks like, I have not seen my wife, dogs or house for the better part of 3 months. This is my last quarter attending grad school and I graduate in June so next year should be easier. Woooo Hoooo.

You can learn more about me on linkedin. http://www.linkedin.com/in/jjbielgoebel

JJ Biel-Goebel

dman9385

05-04-2012, 09:15

Hello Everyone,
Between January and April my job is a robotics mentor, oh i guess a lot of us are. I work for Fire Defense where i engineer and design fire suppression systems for paint booths, fuel fill, pits, dust collectors, data/server rooms. We also do regular fire alarm systems and extinguishers. Keeps me busy and I get to use CAD alllll day!:D

treffk

05-04-2012, 14:18

For me the better question is what isn't your day job?

I am a full time student at the University of Kansas.
I am a part time associate at a children's shoe store.
I mentor a FRC team. I am on the Greater Kansas City FLL Planning committee.
I have started/taken over the JFLL Planning committee.
It's not a job but I am constantly day dreaming about how to make my team better and help FIRST grow to a larger scale than it already is.

Wetzel

05-04-2012, 14:36

Since I got back from serving with the Peace Corps in Honduras just in time for kickoff, my day job has been mentoring 2914. My funemployment couldn't have come at a better time. Unfortunately, after St Louis I'll need find a new day job to pay the bills.

Wetzel

Matt C

05-04-2012, 14:45

With a degree in Mechanical Engineering I work as a Quality Engineer for a large defense contractor (we make airplanes) developing implements of mass detection (both manned and unmanned:D ).

MrForbes

05-04-2012, 16:10

I send my wife off to work every morning...she's an engineer at Ft Huachuca.

She makes enough to support us, so I enjoy life...that includes putting in a lot of time in winter working with the NERDS, and then in spring working with my family on NURC. The rest of the time I goof off and play with old cars and trucks. My latest project is a 55 Chevy step van.

Donut

05-04-2012, 17:50

I am a Controls Engineer for Oral-B Laboratories (part of P&G). I work on the automation systems that create and package toothbrushes. We produce something like 400,000,000 toothbrushes a year here and supply most of North America. My job is a mix of design (creating electrical schematics, modifying PLC programs, installing vision systems) and support (troubleshooting software bugs, helping electricians, reading through datasheets). It's interesting because I have a cubicle but the manufacturing is also on site, and I get a lot more hands on involvement debugging machines than one might expect for an engineering role. Some days it's like working in the pits at an FRC regional, which can make it a challenge to get your "real work" done.

My usual response to "what do you do?" is "I make toothbrushes all day" :P

FIRST experience has really helped me out because I actually knew something about relays, servos, vision, and motion control coming in. Most of the people in my college classes didn't know what a relay was due to the courses being so focused on things you'd see in the semiconductor industry. Once you explain that a relay is basically a power MOSFET a relay makes sense, but FIRST experience allowed me to skip some of that learning curve. Being a part of a FIRST team also gave me some good answers for interview questions.

Andrew Remmers

05-04-2012, 22:39

I work as a Documentation Drafter / Reverse Modeler for Hernon Manufacturing. An adhesive company that competes against Loctite. My area of expertise is robotics, I can not say much more than that at the moment. However its a running joke on my team... "IT'S NOT LOCTITE IT'S THREADLOCKER!" I am a sophomore in College and would have never gotten this job without FIRST. :D

- Andrew

team222badbrad

05-04-2012, 23:46

In my previous life I was a production machinist (for three different companies) and a quality inspector at an aerospace machine shop.

I currently own and operate Print To 3D. Print To 3D is a FDM 3D print service provider. Since I have no employees I get to do everything from answer the phone to tape up packages. The downside is that I'm my own boss and employee... So if the boss takes off the employee must go to work for him or vise versa. :D I also think the boss is yelling that break is over...

On a daily basis I get to 3d print parts for a long list of customers which come in all shapes and sizes. Anyone from a hobbyist to Inventor to fortune 500 companies.

I wouldn't be here without FIRST!

BHOP

05-04-2012, 23:55

Flight test engineer for the United States Air Force. I learn about aircraft systems and then design tests to stress them while trying to meet a time and budget constraint. Thanks to team 503 for getting me moving in the right direction!

techtiger1

06-04-2012, 08:20

I am an assistant City planner for the City of North Lauderdale in South Florida. I look at detailed plans of new deveopment, help solve infrastructure problems and work with engineers on an everyday basis. Thank you FRC for giving me the work ethic, problem solving skills and knowledge base to make this happen.

Adam Freeman

06-04-2012, 09:09

I am a Quality Engineering Supervisor at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds. I get to manage a group of RedX Engineers, who use RedX principles of customer concern focus, strategy, and contrast to work on GM's toughest quality issues. My team focuses on any electrical, chassis, or HVAC issue that could occur on a vehicle from pre-production through end of vehicle life.

Most of my engineers (and myself) are RedX Masters and typically have some type of Bachelors and/or Masters Degree in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering. Or, just a whole bunch of experience and knowledge of vehicle systems.

Here is a cool commercial Chevrolet had made to highlight the work of our group back in 2010. This is the shorter version. It features my boss and most of my co-workers and employees. Unfortunately, I was in Atlanta at the time...doing something else that was way more worth it...:cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGe9zkyZT_Q

After 10 years at GM, this is by far one of the coolest jobs here.

nahstobor

06-04-2012, 09:20

I'm a Civil and Environmental Engineering student at Virginia Tech. I will be graduating next spring :)

Ty Tremblay

06-04-2012, 09:49

I'm a Product Development Engineer in the diagnostics division of Hologic, Inc. We design devices to automate diagnostic tests in the women's health field. Every day I get to either write code, CAD, or design a circuit.

I also worked at iRobot for a few years working on some secret robot stuff for the military.

If it wasn't for FIRST, I'd be a line cook at Applebee's.

JesseK

06-04-2012, 09:58

I program submarines for a living (for the past 6 years). It's a 27-million-SLOC system that has had a lifecycle of 20 years with 1000's of developers and multiple companies. We typically have to develop software technology "before it's time", like multi-casting in the 90's, real-time storage of terrabytes of data in the early 2000's, real-time on-demand audio, integration of Fortran, C, C++, and Java into 1 product, etc. There are literally 10's of thousands of sensors that are integrated into the final product, and literally no single company seems to want things to work the same as the other companies. It's both a nightmare and a joy at the same time.

Day by day, I generally solve the hard cross-platform problems. While I've moved away from pure development, I've found a comfortable niche in the government's initiatives to extend the life cycles of legacy systems by transplanting features and functions into areas they weren't originally designed for.

When I get to the robot during build season, I don't want to see a single line of code.

Conor Ryan

06-04-2012, 17:50

Day job: Treasury Management Consulting Analyst for a super-regional bank.

Night job: Financial Engineer. I write quantitative algo's that are designed to predict market trends, and profit off them. Not for the feint of heart, it has a fair amount of applied math, requires lots of skills that FRC is only the tip of the iceberg for. I'm looking make this a full time job if I can find one (they are not easy to find)!

Matt Krass

07-04-2012, 19:47

I'm a digital systems and software design engineer for a high voltage electronics company. I get to design digital controllers and software to run a variety of fun toys, from telecommunications equipment to medical scanners. It's not many jobs that you have to worry about high voltage and radiation hazard if you push the wrong button ;)

Matt

Melissa Nute

07-04-2012, 20:14

I am in charge of all quality for a privately owned start up manufacturing company. I maintain our quality standards, train the manufacturing employees, maintain our UL requirements, and process & investigate customer claims for our product. I also maintain the matches for over 1,000 different colors on various manufacturing lines. I do get some engineering projects on occasion - currently working on a vision system & just set-up our in-line color eye.

Earlier in my career, I was a mechanical project engineer for a ceiling tile plant.

dlavery

07-04-2012, 23:35

I . . . am . . . Batman!

Er, uh, ahh, wait, you said "what is your DAY job?"

I build robots. That go to other planets.

Formal title is "Program Executive for Solar System Exploration" for NASA. I have no idea what that actually means or what I am really supposed to be doing, since it seems to change on pretty much a daily basis. But it keeps me employed and I get to play with some really, really cool hardware.

-dave

.

Madison

07-04-2012, 23:44

Formal title is "Program Executive for Solar System Exploration" for NASA. I have no idea what that actually means or what I am really supposed to be doing,

It's no big deal, really.

When I describe your job to others based on my understanding of what you do, I say, "He's in charge of space."

Kyle Love

08-04-2012, 00:12

I am a teacher of robotics at the middle school level currently. We cover many aspects of STEM education and the application of math and science concepts. This allows me to help students see the applicable situations of things that they learn in other classes (yes, even English).

This is a very rewarding job. Nothing beats seeing students come into my room, having no idea what a servo motor is, or how to program a robot, and seeing them succeed. It doesn't hurt that I get to participate in the VEX Robotics Competition and the FIRST competition.

KelliV

08-04-2012, 00:20

I am a Theater Technician, which means I run all components to a 450 seat theater. I do lighting, sound, stage managing, set construction, and make sure nobody does anything stupid.

I also am a Video Technician for an arena, which is a fancy way of saying I run a jumbotron. I direct and run camera for various events including hockey and football.

Aside from my day jobs I freelance edit and coach youth cheer.

Huge thanks to FRC for teaching me that I don't want to be a scientist or engineer. Without a video team on Stang I wouldn't have realized how much I love film. Life is so much better when you do what you love rather than what others want you to do.

FrankJ

08-04-2012, 23:27

Bicycle Repairman

smclean1969

09-04-2012, 01:09

I'm a Senior Project Engineer with the Aerospace Corporation and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. As a Lieutenant Colonel, I work at the Joint Space Operations Center which provides space situational awareness and command and control for our country. This Air Force commercial is actually filmed at the operations center and everyone in there is a member of the Air Force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfAHw1kTpvY

A word of caution--it's not exactly like that. The commercial is as close to reality as R2D2 is to FIRST robotics competition--it would be cool to build an R2D2 for a competition though. :)

As an engineer for Aerospace Corporation, I'm working to modernize that operations center. Mostly it's a matter of designing and helping the government acquire the primary computer system that tracks the objects in space and provides that integrated command and control.

linuxboy

09-04-2012, 19:16

I am a student, however I feel that other students might find this post interesting / helpful.

I am a (paid) intern this summer (and have been for the past three summers) at an IT consulting firm. It is fairly small with < 10 full time employees. We do some programming, quite a bit of File Maker, and general tech support. It isn't exactly engineering, however it is solving problems, and it does have you work with all sorts of problems and issues. The experience has been quite valuable in terms of working with people, and solving problems (as I said), and has been somewhere that Gracious Professionalism certainly is necessary. Clients can be upset (I haven't run into too many of these), and as someone who does a lot of phone support for clients, and occasionally goes to client offices, maintaining a professional and personable attitude is quite important.

That's what I do at the moment.
- Oliver

David Brinza

09-04-2012, 22:48

I've worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 30 years.

Currently, I'm the Instrument Engineer, Investigation Scientist and Co-investigator for the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on the Mars Science Laboratory. MSL is Dave Lavery's really big rover on it's way to Mars (thanks for the ride, Dave)!

In the past, I've worked other missions, including Deep Space One, with an ion engine, and the Magellan mission (radar mapping of Venus).

FIRST students get to experience a project life-cycle in a few months. Our projects can take years of development and operate in space even longer!

Mark Sheridan

10-04-2012, 01:47

I am a manufacturing engineering for Microvention. I focus on access products (microcatheters and etc.) used to help treat aneurysms.

I am in the process development group. So I get to help R&D with new products and figure out how to mass produce them. I also work with the FDA submission proving we can consistently build safe products.

waialua359

10-04-2012, 03:20

Glenn from Team 359.
Former Electrical Engineer.
B.S. degree in EE, Master's in Business Administration, Secondary Certification in Math, Minor in Math
Waialua High School-Learning Center Coordinator, Co-Technology Cadre Coordinator, Team 359-Lead Teacher, Mentor and Coordinator, Afterschool Programs Grants Coordinator/Project Director. FRC and VEX Instructor. 18 years and counting.
Honolulu Country Club-Banquet Wait Help-limited part time. 22 years and counting.

lpickett

10-04-2012, 12:31

I am an electrician who was a quality inspector before that. I may not have engineering skills, but I was raised by a mechanic father and understand how to use tools. I try to support our team in whatever way I can. Sometimes, that is only providing meals and making sure areas are clean from debris so we have no safety issues. I also try to be there to cheer the students on when things get low and praise them when they do an excellent job. I am proud of our students both in bad times and good. They make my life a joy.

lcoreyl

18-04-2012, 21:36

2000-2006: Worked for SVG/ASML at an Intel fab. We do the lithography which means we print the circuit pattern on the silicon. It's a machine the size of a bathroom full of robots, lasers, optics, etc. Here's a marketing line: we make the machines that make the chips that make the devices that make our lives better... Intel touts moores law which we make true...

2006-2011: high school teacher for physics and math. Traded all free time for education. Heard of something called FIRST, and gave up the other? free time for that.

2012: back with ASML at an Atmel fab. They make chips for HTC and some samsung touchscreens and also microprocessors for arduinos, toasters, and such. Still give my (now larger) free time to FIRST.

rlowe61

19-04-2012, 16:45

Retired US Army Warrant Officer, Currently working for the Federal Government doing the same thing I've done since Dec 1982.
I research and analyze data to find the bad guys. I'm an Intelligence Analyst. When mentoring I play Devil's advocate and make them think. What is going to happen if..., how do you prevent that...., coming from a very mechanically inclined family I have the skills to help in almost any aspect of mentoring.

gren737

26-04-2012, 11:25

My day job keeps getting cooler. My advice to all young engineers to be out there is if you are unsure of what you want go for, get a standard mechcanical engineering degree. It can get you anywhere.

I graduated from WPI in 2001, spent a few years working at intelitek (team 40) designing CNC machines. Then I went to work for Stanley Black and Decker. I spent a few years designing woodworking equipment under the Delta brand ( Delta 18-900l drill press) and then moved over to Dewalt accessories ( both brands are owned by sbd). At Dewalt I was the Accessory Innovations engineer, which meant it was my job to come up with either accessories that dont currently exist or discover ways of manufacturing product that currently don't exist. I was mainly focused in the area of recip blades and oscillating tool blades.
Now I work a Apple as a manufacturing process design engineer. And that's all I'm allowed to say about that ;)

It's been a fun ride so far and what I love the most is the daily challenges that have continues to push me to keep learning new things.

DCA Fan

26-04-2012, 13:54

Wow 7 pages and no one's hit my job yet.

I'm a graduate student at UC Irvine studying colon cancer. Broadly speaking I'm a biologist, though my focus has always been in cancer biology. After graduating UCSD, I worked in a lab for a few years studying leukemia, doing drug therapy testing, animal model development, and some basic science. Currently researching the causes of colon cancer metastasis (tumor spreading).

Andy A.

26-04-2012, 14:51

I am an electro-mechanical tech at the Giesel School of Medicine (yes, Dartmouth just named it's medical school after Dr. Suess).

On paper, my job is to install, repair, modify and calibrate medical research lab equipment, and create custom experimental apparatus. Pretty much anything to do with technology, I get to figure out. The variety is astounding- everything from replacing vacuum tubes on enormous 70 year old amplifiers to making carbon fiber fixtures for MRI's. Every lab has it's own unique research challenges and I get to help figure them out.

It's the perfect job for me, right at the sweet spot between being a full up engineer and a machinist. I've had jobs in the past that came down to shaving half a penny in cost off plastic junk that was destined for a landfill. Here, in some small way, I help contribute to science and the next generation of doctors. The job satisfaction level is off scale high here.

JamesCH95

26-04-2012, 15:31

I'm an R&D Mechanical Engineer at a small engineering firm. I do CAD modeling and print making, spec and assemble DAQ systems, FE modeling and scripting, novel welding research (Titanium MIG), armor system design and fabrication, some API programming. I'm largely focused on prototype design and fabrication though. I've designed and built some fun machines, my favorite being one that tested batteries with a long-duration 1100g shock-pulse in a sustainable way.

A_Reed

26-04-2012, 15:35

I am an advanced manufacturing intern at Cleveland Punch and Die. This job is my first internship experience and has progressed through an internship period and two semesters of co-op experience. I haven't been responsible for much and have done mostly machining work over the last year, but I have been given two projects. The first project I completed during my internship tenure revolved around setting up the programming and fixture of a wire EDM so that the process could be run 24 hours a day. The second and most recent project is a three position fixture design to streamline the setup on an after production process.

Along with school and robotics I have a pretty full schedule to deal with this semester. I have learned alot in the last year and have gotten a feel for the manufacturing side of things. Sadly with three weeks left in the semester and in the middle of a project I was informed that I am being terminated before finals. I am now stuck trying last minute efforts to find another internship or engineering opportunity before I have to take up the search for another 'job'.

Solidstate89

01-05-2012, 12:42

Been working about a year and a half now as a CAD Drafter for Superior Design Group. We do outsourcing work from other companies like Pratt & Whitney, MOOG, Dresser Rand and of course Delphi.

In what I can only call providence, I ended up working in the Delphi Group. After being a student for 4 years on a Robotics whose main sponsor was Delphi.

Huzzah!

rocknthehawk

01-05-2012, 16:34

I work as an upholsterer. Custom built and reupholstered furniture. Antique museum pieces to commercial upholstery. We've done chair's from the 1600's, tons of antiques, chiropractor tables, boats, hotels. I absolute love my job. It gives me a chance to work with my hands, design cool things, and make old things new again.

nuggetsyl

01-05-2012, 16:38

flight attendant

dricks

01-05-2012, 16:43

I am a cosultant mostly to non-profit companies. But for years I worked as a Telecom Engineer.

Nate Laverdure

01-05-2012, 17:03

My job is almost definitely the coolest--

I design, test, and operate cryogenics plants (http://www.jlab.org/accel/eng/cryo/) that supply 2-Kelvin cryogens to a particle accelerator (https://www.jlab.org/) and several test facilities.

QueenBot

01-05-2012, 20:23

I'm a Nursing Assistant and on the fence between becoming a commercial pilot and a physicians assistant. Still going to college! :]

AshWalker

03-05-2012, 22:41

I launch rockets.

It actually isn't rocket science though. I am an electrical engineer working on telemetry data for the Delta program. I am lucky enough to support launch days on console (in Denver, not at the launch sites) and there is nothing that can reproduce the feeling of being polled before coming out of the T-4 min hold. The downside to be on console: all of my slip ups are now recorded and saved for history. Yep, that infamous 2am night during NPP's flight will go down in history!

By night I'm a grad student and mentor. I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Captaindan

04-05-2012, 00:26

I work on a charter boat here in Gulfport, Mississippi, I also weld as much as possible for extra cash. I plan on attending Bagley college of engineering in the fall at MS State.

esquared

04-05-2012, 08:17

As many others have stated in this thread, your career is what you make of it. Especially when you first start out as a young engineer, aggressively seek work that interests you, and stretch your capabilities. You'll often find in industry there are all levels of effort/interest by your teammates. Promoting yourself as motivated and capable of learning.adapting to a constantly evolving work situation will quickly set you apart from the field.

Fortunately FIRST has provided many opportunities for you to practice those skills, in front of your mentors as well as judges and VPs during competitions :)

Advice aside, my day job is an electrical engineer for a "major defense contractor". What does this mean? On any given day, I could be:

Writing C/C++ on an IBM AIX platform to do multi-threaded signal processing (parallel FFTs, IQ data manipulation, filtering, Doppler processing, etc).
Writing C++ and MATLAB analysis and/or test equipment automation scripts. The fewer times you have click a mouse or push a button on an instrument the better!
Writing VHDL for a variety of FPGA platforms, including one very similar to the FPGA inside the cRIO
Hardware design, which for me is typically high-speed mixed signal circuit board designs with FPGAs, A/D and D/A converters, and RF signal chains.
Mentoring junior engineers or supporting other engineers in specific subject matters such as phase noise, fiber optic interfaces, and RF design.
Sitting in meetings or filling out reams of paperwork - well, you can't have fun every day...

Surprisingly I still use about 75% of the math and physics I learned in high school and college. Trig and trig identities get used pretty frequently in signal processing, linear algebra on an almost daily basis. Differential equations to some extent, and calculus at least in terms of series approximations to forumulae.

Alex2614

04-05-2012, 23:28

Secondary Education Major/Geography Major, Class of 2015 and 2016

Although I'm currently a freshman, FIRST has inspired my career goals to become an educator... And a social studies educator nonetheless. I know I'm the oddball here, but that's who I am ;)

Wayne TenBrink

14-05-2012, 16:44

I am an product (applications) engineer for Kaydon, a manufacturer of custom and thin-section bearings. I get to play a small role in a broad range of interesting projects. I have worked on bearings in Dave Lavery's "other car" (original Mars Rovers), the Hubble Telescope, the International Space Station, Joint Strike Fighter STOVL, various satellites and helicopters, and everyting from medical devices to sewage treatment, renewable energy to nuclear power, industrial machinery, etc. I even get calls from other FRC teams.

I also have a 30 acre hobby farm with a few cattle and horses. I operate it with semi-antique equipment from the 1950's & 1960's, including some classic 2-cylinder John Deere tractors. It seems like the first thing that happens on all my machinery is for a bearing to go out. Tinkering with old farm equipment is a great learning experience. Shoveling manure keeps me humble. The seasonal schedule fits well with robotics.

As a mentor, I'm supposed to bring my work experience to robotics and share it with the students. In reality, I apply my robotics experiences to the benefit of Kaydon a lot more often.

laurenlacy

06-06-2012, 22:41

I am in R&D at Procter & Gamble. After internships in logistics and plant engineering, I found my home in the bridge between bench top production of products (i.e. we figured out a way to make this one awesome widget) and full scale production (i.e. how can we make millions of these widgets?). The important part is that I get to wake up every day and do work that I am excited about.

I think it's important to remember that FIRST in its name stresses inspiration and recognition of science and technology. I see STEM in so many facets of my life now. An example: from working at a consumer products company, literally every time I buy something, in some small way, I think of the fact that someone had to come up with that product and someone (or something) had to make it. I have seen firsthand the level of thought that goes into making our products, much of it in overcoming STEM related hurdles.

STEM related careers, to me, are so exciting because of the limitless possibilities and paths one can take. Even more exciting is that not everyone has to pursue a STEM related career to appreciate the aspects of STEM all around them.

BradleyView

06-06-2012, 23:04

I work as an Applications Engineer for a company that makes various specialty adhesive tapes. It's the right mix for me between playing in the lab, working with manufacturing, and interacting with the customer. Best part is I get to go see people who is using our products to make some pretty cool things.
I have to say, FIRST is one of the primary reasons I got this job. My degree is in civil engineering. I was interviewing for a new training program for a sales position and I didn't really on paper fit what they were looking for. The HR manager wasn't convinced, and his first question for me was Why should I even consider you for this spot? Usually I would have thrown your application away in the first 15 seconds. Well, I explained my various responsibilities as a mentor though FIRST, and he liked it so much that he called me back for the Application Engineering position which they had not even advertised online less than a week later. They ended up offering me both positions, and I firmly believe I would not have had a shot at either without my FIRST experience.

Dan_Karol

06-06-2012, 23:40

I am a Development engineer at DEKA Research, Dean Kamen's Company. Mostly we design and engineer cutting-edge medical devices such as the 'Luke' arm or the iBot but have been known to deviate into other areas.

At DEKA, I put similar skills to the ones being taught in FIRST teams to use every day. Rigorous problem solving skills rooted in math and science allow me to ensure that whatever project I'm working on is reliable and safe. Creative thinking similar to FIRST robot design allows me and the team I work with to innovate so we "are on the cutting-edge of whatever industry we choose to join".

http://www.dekaresearch.com/index.shtml

Before Joining DEKA I worked with ARTAIC INNOVATIVE MOSAIC, a startup company in Boston. They assemble custom tile mosaics from photos their customers send in. To keep costs and response time low they use robots to arrange the tiles instead of out-sourced labor. It was my job to design and build the robotic system from the ground up. My experience with FIRST along with my degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Engineering really helped with this project. Due to my involvement in this project, Artaic has lowered the time it takes to assemble a square foot of custom mosaic mural from 2 hours to about 40 seconds!

http://www.artaic.com/

-Dan Karol

Alexa Stott

08-06-2012, 13:42

Right now, I'm working in the Human-Computer Interaction Lab here. My project is called Reflect2O (a play on H2O). We are creating a data visualization tool to put in people's homes to try and encourage them to conserve water.

Jessica Boucher

08-06-2012, 14:35

I'm a Product Manager at Jobscience. We write Recruiting software on the Salesforce cloud. All of our Dev is in NH but we have a San Fran office as well.

I write specs, talk to programmers, QA, and generally bring projects from start to finish. It's nice seeing technology out there that you had a part in building.

Carolyn Duncan

09-06-2012, 00:32

When I'm not working for the state of Virginia Employment Commission (we find people jobs and assist with unemploment claims) I am a professional actress and model.
I get excited when I find people jobs and get them off unemployment for so many reasons.
I love my acting and modeling work as well. Yes, I have been on tv shows, commercials, films (both small and large), and print advertising.
My work isn't related to FIRST in the sense of Science or Technology, however, many forget how important structure, organization, teamwork, and planning factor into robot production. The bottom line is that no matter what you do in life, odds are you perfected your skills thanks to FIRST.

pfreivald

09-06-2012, 10:04

I'm now officially an author! My first novel, Twice Shy, is being released this September by JournalStone Publishing, and I couldn't be more excited about it!

BBray_T1296

11-06-2012, 12:52

I work as an (paid) intern for our sponsor Special Parts & Mfg, who manufactures our sheet metal parts for the robot. Its really cool to see how our stuff is made and also helps with the CAD and design of the robot. I now know cool tricks SPM can do that we can use, and the limitations of their basic (non specialty) machines to get stuff made and delivered faster.

JDL

12-01-2013, 03:12

I design, build, install, program, commission, troubleshoot, service and support electrical and mechanical equipment and installations in water, power, chemical, and industrial and hitech apps.

I go from doing the work of an engineer doing designs and programming PLCs/PACs, SCADA controllers to smelling like grinding dust cause I've been grinding and welding pipe and steel stock together.

Last week I had my hard hat and tool belt on up in a scissor lift running conduit for motors and push buttons stations. This week I did drawings and ordered parts for 3 new machines and control panels for us to build.

ctccromer

12-01-2013, 08:44

I'm a senior on my team and about to move (permanently) from my hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Austin, TX to attend UT Austin, pursue a Computer Science major (and hopefully a masters), and continue working in the gaming industry. Thanks to a few contacts, I've already had an internship for 3 or 4 years (and they started paying me about a year ago).

It's not exactly engineering or anything, but FRC is still giving me some good programming experience that I'll use in the future :D

Storcky

12-01-2013, 09:37

I'm a software developer for Research In Motion. I work on an app called DocsToGo for BlackBerry devices. When I interviewed for this job, I talked to at least 8 different people, every one of whom asked me about FIRST.

apalrd

12-01-2013, 20:28

I work in Chrysler Powertrain developing realtime embedded software in C and Simulink. I'm actually a co-op student, so I rotate through a bunch of different 3-month positions twice a year (and go to school for the other 6 months). I'm at work during robotics build season, in the same building as 33's shop, so it's really awesome. This term I'm writing software. Maybe next term I'll be doing something else.

I have 4 major bullets on my resume. 3 of the 4 involved embedded software development in Simulink, the fourth was FIRST and includes LabVIEW.

Developing embedded RT software makes me really hate inefficient code (and Java).

EricH

12-01-2013, 21:16

My day job has changed since this thread started...

I now build rockets. More specifically, I'm a Technician Trainee at SpaceX, working in the stir welding department. The machines do the welding; my coworkers and I clean up, set up, and clean up the welds, along with moving the finished sections of rocket around. (Another group takes the sections and makes them into a rocket body.)

nixiebunny

17-01-2013, 16:57

I work on radio telescopes part time, and build Nixie tube wristwatches in my spare time. Both seem to be about equally lucrative, but one has benefits.

When you think of a radio telescope as a 5 story building full of every sort of electronics from superconducting cryogenic receivers to big 50 HP motors and everything in between, all of it serial number one, you can see why it's fun.

funstuff

18-01-2013, 00:33

Currently, I am working for a small start-up company called Microlution that manufactures micro-machining centers that can make precise and small parts. We currently have 3 micro CNC mill product lines (3 and 5 axis), with one micro CNC lathe product line that will be released this spring.

http://microlution-inc.com/ (New website is also coming soon...)

I am a mechanical engineer working as the testing engineer, which is one part mechanical, one part electrical, one part software, one part lasers, and one part organization. I troubleshoot various problems with functionality and performance, and ensure final quality. On working for a small company: it is very challenging and very rewarding to see that your work has a clear impact (sometimes immediately). There are plenty of pressure and deadlines along the way.

Before this job, I had a variety of jobs, including testing massive diesel engines, simulating small crack growth out of material impurities, determining properties of mud in a lab, and adding sensors to blow-out preventors.

The best thing about becoming an engineer is that you learn how to learn. Your education doesn't end with your degree. It stops when you stop asking questions.

MrRoboSteve

18-01-2013, 08:58

I work as an engineer at Microsoft. If you use Visual Studio 2012 or Blend, you're using my (and a bunch of other people's) work.

Ryan Dognaux

18-01-2013, 10:07

I have been working at The Boeing Company for around 3.5 years now and recently switched sites from Philadelphia to the St. Louis area. I work in a group called ImDev, or Immersive Development, and help programs get the most out of their 3D product data.

In large companies management of 3D CAD & Visualization data is becoming an increasingly important and difficult task. Being able to provide visualization of the latest version of a vehicle to multiple disciplines throughout the company is no small undertaking. I get to work on tight deadlines for programs that need their data yesterday, but I also get to work with some emerging technologies that makes my job fun.

Alchemy99

18-01-2013, 10:37

My current day job includes, designing and assisting assembly of Test Gauges. For ALTEK Company. The gauges are for Soda Cans, aerosol cans, food cans, and stuff like that. To tell the pressure of failure, to tell the Coefficient of Friction, and rating of the coatings, and some other stuff.

I also am a Volunteer Firefighter, its surprising how much more STEM i get from Firefighting than my engineering job. Learning + "Playing" with different cars, structures, tools, and whatever else tends to go bad. I got my climber idea from the latter truck, and the shooter idea from the spreaders.

I am looking for a more advanced day job. I got this job threw School and FIRST. now i am looking for a job that i can learn more from.

North Sailor

18-01-2013, 11:06

I am a Naval Architect & Marine Engineer. I studied to design ships and marine power plants in college. Now work as a full time engineer. I do software development for data analysis, computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, and work with underwater robotics and structures for alternative materials and composites for marine application. In my free time I mentor 2 FRC teams and 4 FLL teams.

There is more, but if I told you I would have to kill you.

DBortnick

18-01-2013, 11:10

I'm the Mathematics Department Chair and teacher at the high school that my Robotics Team runs out of. I teach Algebra 2 and Trigonometry at both the regular and honors levels. I will also likely be teaching calculus next school year.

Rosiebotboss

18-01-2013, 13:56

I have worked for the United Technologies Aerospace Systems / Space Systems for almost 31 years, building various life support systems for NASA and the US Navy, including the EMU (extravehicular mobility unit, the space suit), oxygen generation, life support (human waste, water reclamation, thermal and humidity control), cooling and gas management systems for the NASA Space Shuttle, International Space Station and US Navy submarines. 1 1/2 years ago, I moved from the assembly side of the hardware to the Quality side as a Mech Inspector. I am the next to last set of eyes before these multi million dollar pieces of space life support equipment keeping our astronaurts alive, go out the door. (The last set of eyes are the DCMA / Gov't Inspectors who rely HEAVILY on us to do our jobs right.)

geomapguy

21-01-2013, 00:36

Interesting story:

One of our head mentors graduated from our high school in the 70s and played football like some of our mentors. He went on to get various degrees in engineering and work abroad. Around 10 years ago, he returned to our town and started as Director of Corporate Engineering at our primary sponsor company. He was very enthusiastic when we came to them about receiving machining help and funding. Just comes to show how you never know who you can meet in FIRST.

ctt956

05-03-2016, 21:03

Life is so much better when you do what you love rather than what others want you to do.

I agree.

RoboChair

06-03-2016, 03:03

Day job: Build armies of solar cleaning robots
Night job: Mentoring Citrus Circuits
Hobby: Building robots and robot accessories
Favorite sport: Robotics
Strongest Memories: Robotics
Primary reason for traveling: Robots
Dreams: Robots

Do I have a robot problem? ......Nah!!!!

lovelj

06-03-2016, 08:47

I love this thread. It shows the diversity available in STEM related fields. Better yet, shows that if you can make things that people want or need, you are in demand. Thanks to everyone for contributing.

Myself, I am a corporate fellow at Oak Rodge National Labs Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. We print stuff... big stuff... Including FIRST robots.

http://youtu.be/HXvIMRklWiM

rdmarsh

06-03-2016, 10:27

Still in college, but after graduation I'll be going to Green Hills Software to work on their embedded compiler and/or their static analyzer. It's not directly robotics-related, but the experience working with large groups on real problems has helped a lot in internships.

GeeTwo

06-03-2016, 11:05

Oceanographer at the Naval Oceanographic Office.

More specifically, I'm the technical lead of the branch of the acoustics department which provides direct ASW (anti-submarine warfare) environmental product support to the US Navy.

I've been in this position the past five or six years. Before that, I collected acoustic data and processed/synthesized it into ocean acoustic databases for about 20 years.

Steph342

06-03-2016, 14:37

I have a Civil Engineering degree and design roads for a living.

JamesCH95

08-03-2016, 10:02

I have a new day job designing tooling, fixtures, equipment, and processes for FujiFilm Dimatix industrial inkjet print heads.

bborah7390

08-03-2016, 10:36

I am an Electronics Engineer at Warner Robins AFB. I do a lot of various things but mostly work with code and hardware most of the day.

Daniel_LaFleur

08-03-2016, 10:41

Currently unemployed. :(
Anyone looking for a good Manufacturing/Test Engineer with 15 Years FIRST mentoring experience?

Jared Russell

08-03-2016, 11:40

Mine has changed since this thread started too.

I am a software engineer working on robotics projects for X (formerly called Google [x]). This is the part of Alphabet (Google's new parent company) that is best known for the self-driving car, Project Loon, Glass, Project Wing, etc.

Ginger Power

08-03-2016, 11:49

Zebra_Fact_Man

08-03-2016, 11:54

I'm an Industrial Engineer for Hatch Stamping Company. I help robots, machines, and people work more efficiently.

pilum40

08-03-2016, 12:06

Wow...after reading all the previous posts, I'm a little skittish about posting my day job. I'm just a STEM teacher. I teach 10-11-12th grade Concepts of Engineering, Robotics and Automation, and Engineering Design and Presentation. I've been 30 years working with scholars. Found out about FIRST in 2009, loved it, never looked back.

scca229

08-03-2016, 12:42

pilum40

08-03-2016, 12:54

Why be skittish? Without people like you, many of the above people probably wouldn't be doing what they are.

THANK YOU!
The "coolness factor" just isn't there. LOL Thanks for the compliment. We teachers are the folks that keep the logistics train in order, keep the "suits" happy with our program, and ensure our team does not encroach on the school budget (we're totally non school funded). We'll keep those spaghetti suppers goin' and find new and goofier ways to fund raise.

Again, thanks for the compliments.

MarcD79

09-03-2016, 21:45

So with all the day jobs out there listed as having an extensive education, I'll now post mine; On-the-road Service Technician for Sears fixing appliances. High School Diploma.

Jon K.

09-03-2016, 22:36

I love the fact that this thread has been resurrected. I am fortunate to have a job that lets me work with FIRST and FIRST teams year round as the manufacturing manager for AndyMark. I love the fact that my passion in high school gave me the opportunities it has, and that I now get to do what I do to support thousands of other students from across the globe achieve their dreams and their own successes. I am often asked why I don't mentor a team, and if I wasn't supporting thousands of build seasons between FIRST® Tech Challenge and FIRST® Robotics Competition, I probably would. But then again, I would have the chance to volunteer as much as I do, and I wouldn't have had the chance to meet as many new friends like I have.

No matter what your dream, or day, job is, keep doing what you love and eventually things will work out in the end.

ratdude747

09-03-2016, 22:52

No matter what your dream, or day, job is, keep doing what you love and eventually things will work out in the end.

These are the sort of words that keep me going despite my current lack of employment. Sadly, my day job (aside from nominal employment with a Merchandising company) is looking for a job that uses my degree (BS EET, Purdue '15). It's been rough but I'm confident I'll eventually find something, hopefully something that won't totally wreck my current level of volunteering at events.

I guess what I can say is the job market is just like FIRST, hard but rewarding.

alicen

10-03-2016, 00:13

I went a little off the beaten path, despite being involved in FIRST long before heading to college! Though I graduated a few years ago and still volunteer now.

My day job currently is doing Industrial Design work, as well as some ME work on a variety of projects, from Google things I'm not allowed to talk about, to working with startups designing their products.

AustinSchuh

10-03-2016, 02:37

This is a fun thread to read.

I'm the vehicle software engineering lead and one of the first employees at a trucking software startup. We write software and control systems to let trucks platoon 20 feet apart. I love bridging the gap between software and mechanical engineering. I tell the students that trucks are just big robots. :)

Karibou

10-03-2016, 19:37

I'm a metallurgical engineer in a steel plant that produces hot-rolled plate material. Our plate goes into an incredible variety of cool things, including bridges, buildings, machinery, ships, and military applications. I work in quality at the rolling mill, and a lot of my job involves looking at plates that don't get produced correctly (not to customer specs, defects in/on the plate, etc), figuring out what happened to make it come out wrong, and coming up with a fix to prevent it from happening again. When I'm not doing that, I work to implement changes throughout the process to improve efficiency. I get to work around cool old machinery, get dirty, and do a lot of problem solving, and every day is something different.

Mark Holschuh

10-03-2016, 20:03

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Madison. I have been a Product Engineer for John Deere in Horicon, Wisconsin, for the past eight years. I have design responsibilities for engines and exhaust systems in our lawn and garden tractors, and sometimes help out with the Gators and zero-turn mowers as well. Before that I worked 25 years for Tecumseh Products Company designing engines for lawnmowers and snowthrowers.

Come to think of it, I don't really know anything about robots...

apalrd

10-03-2016, 21:20

I have a new job since I last posted.

I'm currently working at Williams International, working on embedded software and electronics design for commercial turbofan engines. Some of the projects I work on are certified as high as Design Assurance Level (DAL) A, the highest standard in FAA certification. In these projects, the software must be formally verified and tests are audited by the FAA.

Jay H 237

16-03-2016, 05:57

I work in the plastic injection molding field for a major company. I assemble robots and custom automation to handle the molded parts. The company bought out an injection molding machine (IMM) supplier and they are part of our operation now and with the material handling portion they added years ago complete turn key work cells can be purchased by customers now. We also are the OEM for robots for other companies, are logos aren't put on and thier's are but they are the same underneath, think Chevy - GMC.

The cool thing is I get to see parts, games, products and stuff months or longer before they are advertised. The weird thing is going into a store and seeing something and be like, hey I remember working on the stuff to build that months ago!

teslalab2

16-03-2016, 07:01

I work at a circuit board shop doing wave soldering, and circuit board repair.

Tom Line

16-03-2016, 07:11

The "coolness factor" just isn't there. LOL Thanks for the compliment. We teachers are the folks that keep the logistics train in order, keep the "suits" happy with our program, and ensure our team does not encroach on the school budget (we're totally non school funded). We'll keep those spaghetti suppers goin' and find new and goofier ways to fund raise.

Again, thanks for the compliments.

You're nuts! I'm a mechanical engineer for one of the big 3 handling block and head CNC machining and component assembly. In 14 years I want to retire and become a teacher.

techhelpbb

16-03-2016, 08:43

I currently live in clouds ;)

Virtual and private computing clouds for very large enterprises.
I automate stuff in them using agile and DevOps (aka automation).
I also co-conspire on the Meetup: OpenStack for Enterprises NYC.

I run my manufacturing stuff on the side (and almost all of this stuff is used and I retrofit for my amusement):

Just got a: ShopMaster Patriot VFD CNC with DRO with Gecko 540 control (http://shopmasterusa.com/content/15-history-3-in-1-machine-cnc) (2012 model with X axis at bed center).
To add to my: Freaked CNC Seig X2 3 axis mill (http://www.hossmachine.info/projects_6.html), MaxNC lathe with tailstock, and MaxNC 4 axis mill(s) with tailstocks and probe (http://www.maxnc.net/).
Already had 2 LPKF Protomat 92S (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YjEfliptTI) PCB mills.
A CNC router table which can be used for drilling, milling and plasma cutting (http://www.esabna.com/literature/plasma%20equipment/cutting%20packages%20-%20systems/manual%20(only)%20cutting%20packages/domestic/pcm-500i_f-15-296-e.pdf) with SuperPID spindle control (http://www.vhipe.com/product-private/SuperPID-Home.htm).
2 manual rotary indexing tables.
14 3D printers (http://www.up3dusa.com/#!up-plus-2/c1sag) (RepRap and me are old friends).
Enough IAI actuators (http://www.intelligentactuator.com/) to build 15 XYZ chassis.
5 NEMA 23 driven XYZ tables that with ACME screws that came out of military surplus.
A pile of Mitsubishi servo motors (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-HC-KFS43-AC-servo-Motor-3AC-192V-400W-3000r-min-used-Japan-3962-/291620589573?hash=item43e5f11005:g:Qx8AAOSwZVhWTpp u) I use for CNC and general robotics.
A complete electronics (http://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/DS2072A/Digital-Oscilloscopes/?Source=googleshopping&gclid=CMyxl92nxcsCFRY8gQodlYQErg) shop (surface mount and pick and place).
Rotating table 3D laser scanner (http://www.gizmag.com/laser-3d-recording-david-laser/23676/).
Powder coating equipment (http://www.harborfreight.com/10-30-psi-powder-coating-system-94244.html) and long wave IR heat lamps (large) (http://www.pro-therm.com/infrared_basics.php).
Hobart MVP210 MiG welder (http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/handler210/) on cart.
Hobart LX235AC/160DC stick welder (http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/handler210/) on cart.
An Evolution RAGE3 saw (http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Power-Tools-RAGE3-Multipurpose/dp/B0030M2TCC).
A horizontal band saw (http://www.harborfreight.com/horizontal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html) with hydraulic retrofit.
A pile of RotoZip tools (https://www.rotozip.com/en-us/Pages/Rotozip.aspx).
An oxy-fuel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxy-fuel_welding_and_cutting) setup.
A RobinAir vacuum pump (http://www.robinair.com/products/10-cfm-vacuum-pump) for my HVAC work, my vacuum forming and VIM forge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_induction_melting).
My actual propane and charcoal forges are stored right now.
A 30" bend brake (http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-bending-brake-67240.html).
A 12" shear, slip roller, brake (http://boltontool.com/SBR1220?search=SBR1220&gclid=CLa4r-2_xcsCFYMlgQodP2MCTg).
A large double boiler for reforming machine wax.
A 1 gallon ultrasonic cleaner.
2 Large drill press (one Craftsman one an old cast round column kit from my Father).
1 2 HP 10 gallon California Air Tools air compressor (http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-oil-free-air-compressors/2-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-10020c/).
1 80 gallon air compressor driven with a 8HP electric more and a Harley Davidson V-Twin engine.
1 old Craftsman 5 gallon air compressor.
Various machine and workbench vises and anvils.
3 generations of my Family's hand tools (including stuff to shoe horses).

Working on a 40W-60W laser cutter next with a proper exhaust system.
Working on replacing my TiG welder.
Working on adding a few more tapping accessories both at MORT and at home.

Software:

Rhinocerous (https://www.rhino3d.com/) I was in the Mac OSX Beta got a nice discount
MSDN (https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/how-to-buy-vs.aspx)
BobCAD (http://bobcad.com/)
HSMWorks (http://www.hsmworks.com/)
(This could go on for pages I have been working in computers professionally since before I was 10 years old...)

Educational robots:

1 RoboRIO AndyMark chassis with hi-grip wheels, Nav-X, pneumatics, Talon-SRX ESC, Axis and Logitech cameras.
1 cRIO 4 slot AndyMark chassis with hi-grip wheels, pneumatics, Talon SR/Victor 888/Black Jaguar ESC and 2CAN.
1 cRIO 8 slot custom 80-20 chassis with hi-grip wheels, chain drive w/custom sprockets on sliding assembly.

A couple of TeachMover robotic arms (http://www.microbotzone.com/TeachMover/TeachMoverII/tabid/3649/Default.aspx).
2 RB5X (http://www.rbrobotics.com/Products/RB5X_w_Arm.htm) robots.

I also do a little IoT (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things) on the side:

DragonBoard 410C (http://www.96boards.org/products/ce/dragonboard410c/)
Intel Edison (http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/do-it-yourself/edison.html)
Arduino Yun (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardYun)
Raspberry PI 2 (https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-3-on-sale/)

Computers:

I have the better part of a stock exchange mainframe in one garage right now (400 68360 CPU on VME).
2 Mini computers.
An old VAX that is just visiting on the way to a museum.
Part of my old PDP11.
MacMini, iMac 'gumdrops' and an older PowerPC.
Commodore 64/128 I still support software on.
Amiga 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 the 4000 has the complete VideoToaster non-linear video editor with Lightwave.
A few hundred x86 PCs (laptop and desktop).

Printers:

2 HP inkjet plotters up to F size.
1 HP E size pen plotter.
1 HP C size high speed pen plotter.
3 Epson All-In-One office printers.
1 Epson R1800 13"x19" plotter with ink kit suitable archival use.

In short - I work - a lot!
I also part the technological junk pile.
Which means I am literally a digital janitor.
Now I just a need a roof over my mostly portable makerspace's head.

(This should somewhat answer the question how a managing director at a major financial institution knows manufacturing.
You know with my Associates Degree from a Community College.
When I tell people I used to make weapon systems for the military - I don't mean I had parts made in China ;))

Wetzel

16-03-2016, 10:48

I'm now at the Washington Area Bicyclists Association as the Youth and Family Education Coordinator. I organize and run bike classes in and after school, Bike Camp!, and other events.

Basel A

16-03-2016, 11:00

Lots of interesting jobs in this thread! I'm currently an intern at Continental Automotive (yes like the tires), working in algorithms for Advanced Driver Assistance.

BigRickT

16-03-2016, 11:47

I am an IT - Director of Infrastructure by day... FRC Robotics Mentor for 1259 Paradigm Shift, by night. Sleep is optional :)

Legator91

16-03-2016, 12:05

I am a engineer at GM. I was a seat Validation Engineer. I planned, performed, and documented all of the testing needed to meet federal safety requirements.

I have just moved to the Advanced Vehicle Development group at GM (Component Intergration Design Engineer). My role there is to work between design and engineering. In a nutshell I take the crazy cool designs that the studio comes up with, and turn them into somthing that meets requirments and is manufacturable.

FIRST is definitely the reason I went into engineering. Working with the mentors on 67 (HOT) as a kid really inspired me. I also got lucky enough to get hired by GM, so now I get to mentor my old team.

BSV

16-03-2016, 12:25

Meteorologist. I lead a research group that uses remote sensing (mostly weather radar, but also geostationary satellites and other things like lightning detection arrays) to study severe thunderstorms, tornados, hail, and the like to improve warnings of those threats to the public(s). So it's a combination of physics, CS, machine learning, social science, and a grab bag of other things.

Based on what I see from the students that apply for our jobs and work for us, if you are looking at a science career and are really good at coding up your ideas then you will go far. There is a severe lack of computing talent in the sciences.

Chris is me

16-03-2016, 12:27

I'm a Manufacturing Engineer at QuEST Global Services, working as an outsourcer for Pratt and Whitney. Currently I provide support and programming help for robotic automated inspection machines, which is a task I was able to get thanks to my FIRST Robotics experience. I also work on manufacturing cost estimation models for a wide variety of engine parts.

FIRST, combined with some college classes, gave me almost all of the manufacturing knowledge I had prior to starting this job, and it was immensely helpful when I was starting out.

zcohen

16-03-2016, 12:32

I'm a high school technology and engineering teacher. I teach Project Lead the Way Aerospace Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Design, plus I wrote the curriculum for and teach a class called intro to robotics engineering and technology of flight.
Its not always as cool as the jobs other here have, but I would never change it for anything else. Its far more enjoyable than any other career I've had and I hope I have the energy to do it for quite a few more years.

barn34

16-03-2016, 12:49

I have a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University. My graduate thesis work was done in partnership with Caterpillar and focused on object detection and collision warning using automotive RADAR sensors for Motor Graders performing snow removal applications. I was also the graduate assistant for all the robotics classes, and ran the robotics lab.

Professionally, I've been working in machine research for Caterpillar for going on 11 years now - 3 as a graduate student for my thesis work, 8 as a full-time engineer. I now lead various research projects in Automation & Enterprise Solutions.

This is my 8th season as a Roboteers mentor.

Monochron

16-03-2016, 12:54

I was previously a software engineer at NetApp, working on enterprise data replication and data recovery in the OnTap operating system. We managed data movement and backup across clustered storage setups, mostly SAN. It was primarily C and C++ programming with some perl and expect scripting thrown in occasionally.

I left NetApp recently though and am currently looking for other employment, hopefully with more of a focus on hardware or robotics. If anyone knows of any good openings in the RTP, NC area, let me know!

z_beeblebrox

16-03-2016, 13:38

High school student here, but I'm an intern at Steward Observatory Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the University of Arizona, working on developing inflatable space-based and balloon-borne terahertz telescopes for mapping cold galactic gas. I've worked there since last summer, when I got to design and build a camera system for attitude determination of a high-altitude balloon (out of laser-cut plywood of course) that flew on a NASA balloon in September.

team4187mentor

16-03-2016, 14:36

I work for Continental Tire in the Maintenance department. I started as an electrician for automated machinery and moved up to supervisor. I currently work as an administrative supervisor handling scheduling, payroll, and reports. My bosses have been wonderfully supportive of the team and allow me to adjust my schedule according to the teams needs. Continental is also a big sponsor of the team.

josephno1

16-03-2016, 14:47

I am a courtesy clerk at Vons :D, probably not as exciting as all the Engineers over here but hey I gotta start somewhere.

I am a Robotics Rookie

techhelpbb

16-03-2016, 15:23

I am a courtesy clerk at Vons :D, probably not as exciting as all the Engineers over here but hey I gotta start somewhere.

I am a Robotics Rookie

Hey look at it like this:
I've worked in plenty of mail rooms.

James1902

16-03-2016, 16:08

Currently i'm working as an Online Producer on The Wirecutter and The Sweethome websites. Basically I take guides written by very talented writers, editors, and freelancers and I load them in and make them look good on the site. I also do a significant bit of image editing.

jvriezen

16-03-2016, 17:09

I'm a software engineer/product architect working on data replication/high availability software for 'backend' commercial data systems (IBM i, specifically). The primary language I work in is C.

nighterfighter

16-03-2016, 18:39

Currently in college, but I am an intern in the Information Technology department for a medical group in the metro Atlanta area, with 5 major hospitals and lots of urgent care centers and specialist centers.

I actually work in an office though, researching software solutions as well as writing code/scripts that assist the main program that our nurses/doctors/surgeons/etc use when interacting with patients, to ensure accuracy of medication.

I've been rotating languages between some SQL, C#, VBA, AutoIt Scripting Language, and whatever random things I need to do for the job.

It might sound boring, especially compared to the cool things that some people here do, but making sure that the information about patients is both accurate (and secure) is important also.

RoboDawg

16-03-2016, 23:57

Signal Inspector, BNSF Railway, Kootenai river subdivision (northern Idaho and northwest Montana. 10th year of mentoring (tenure?).

uutzinger

06-04-2016, 17:49

Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arizona.
Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Affairs.
I do research on optical imaging for diagnosis (find me on google scholar).
I teach Biomedical Optics, Bioinstrumentation, Introduction to BME, Rotation of Engineers in Hospital and I am working on Sophomore Design Course for undergraduate students.
I take care of our undergraduate curriculum and make sure we are accredited and fix any issues we might have with our 200 student program. For a while I was department head.

Anthony4004

06-04-2016, 18:08

I'm a sophmore in college studying mechanical engineering by day.
FIRST addict by night.

But in reality, I've also been hired by Smart Vision Lights as their CAD designer for the past year. Get to design actual products every day, go to technical meetings with companies, and be apart of trade shows. Not too shabby for a guy without a diploma.

ratdude747

06-04-2016, 19:18

Things for me have changed, so I'll post it.

I'm a "New Products Engineering Specialist" at Arvin Sango in Madison, IN. I start this Monday.

Mr. Ackroyd

13-04-2016, 12:13

Previous life out of college, I was a Manufacturing/Quality Engineering for seven years at a Fiber Optics company that was number one at it's height. Things went bust when the tech bubble burst and we were bought out by a world competitor. I saw the writing on the wall and transitioned into teaching Technology Education. I wanted to steer kids into a path of engineering.

I've been teaching at Ballston Spa for eight years now and in that time I helped start FLL where we now have eight teams each year. A high school coach started FRC in that time and we always had conversations about the gap between FLL and FRC when students came in at ninth grade. So, three years ago I started and FTC team for 8th and 9th graders to bridge that gap.

This year I took over the FRC and bridging that gap has paid off. When the FTC season is complete, I bring the 9th grade members onto the FRC team. This has truly allowed us to train down skills to the younger students while in the midst of build season. It really helps out during off season fall events and the young students can jump right into the fun of FRC

Eric Scheuing

18-04-2016, 09:05

In simplest terms: I take water, add electricity, and make gasses.

marshall

18-04-2016, 09:26

My day job is to tell companies how to migrate their existing IT infrastructure from its current state into a future state while simultaneously balancing the needs of the C-Suite and all of the various business units. It can be challenging but I feel like wrangling high school students has prepared me for dealing with executives.

Ryan_Todd

18-04-2016, 16:31

As I write this, I am waiting for the autocode that I wrote to generate the actual code that I will then attempt to compile into software that is suitable for execution on any of several variants of device (comprising millions of devices in total), the purpose of each such device being to control dozens of output signals (based on input received from more than twice as many sensors) with the intention of managing the operation of a single self-contained assemblage of machinery (having a cumulative mass measured in thousands of kilograms) during partially-autonomous operation while traveling at velocities measured in hundreds of kilometers per hour.

...In other words, I program cars. :cool:

MattRain

18-04-2016, 16:56

I sit around, do nothing, and look pretty. :P

Jk, I work as a Commodity Data Analyst at a very large FORTUNE 500 Company. While it isn't very STEM related, my whole team at work are involved in FIRST as mentors and volunteers.

NLake

28-04-2016, 20:30

What's your day job?

FIRST is supposed to be inspiring students to pursue STEM careers, but I don't think it does a very good job of telling them what a STEM career is actually like. Or even if you don't do STEM, what do you do?

Probably a lot of people that work in technical fields have a fair bit of their work wrapped up in NDAs or what have you, and I understand that. As much or as little as you feel like giving. I also think it'll be pretty interesting to see what CD does with their 40 hour (+!) work week.

Intriguing question.

I'm a special education classroom assistant, and teach a computer science class while I'm working to get started on my teaching credential.

I also tutor private clients.

snoman

28-04-2016, 22:23

HS/MS technology education, drivers ed teacher. Summer landscape business owner

Tyler_Kaplan

28-04-2016, 22:41

Own a firm specializing in robotics and STEM education. Basically I get to work with VEX and FRC teams throughout the year, and develop STEM curriculum for schools.

adammiller3122

28-04-2016, 23:10

I will be starting an internship at BusinessWare Solutions in Hutchinson, MN. I will be in the Managed Services department.

CalTran

28-04-2016, 23:28

Own a firm specializing in robotics and STEM education. Basically I get to work with VEX and FRC teams throughout the year, and develop STEM curriculum for schools.

Need an assistant? California, working with STEM education? I'll take it.

dlavery

29-04-2016, 02:15

I put stuff on other planets.

-dave

.

techhelpbb

29-04-2016, 09:49

I put stuff on other planets.

-dave

AKA cosmic litter bug :D

GeeTwo

29-04-2016, 16:23

I put stuff on other planets.

-dave

.

That's just part of his job.

Dave is in interplanetary trade - he trades stuff for data.

Also, he was quoted in this month's Popular Science in an article about space suits, so it appears he's planning to put people on other planets as well.

TheSteamedPunk

29-04-2016, 16:31

I work at Target?

techhelpbb

29-04-2016, 16:33

That's just part of his job.

Dave is in interplanetary trade - he trades stuff for data.

Also, he was quoted in this month's Popular Science in an article about space suits, so it appears he's planning to put people on other planets as well.

But will he be able to get the whole Stronghold field and robots to the Moon Regional? Probably break less gear boxes in lower gravity. Also the loud music...not so much. If we can get the stuff there I know where to put the driver's stations down here.

GeeTwo

29-04-2016, 16:53

But will he be able to get the whole Stronghold field and robots to the Moon Regional? Probably break less gear boxes in lower gravity. Also the loud music...not so much. If we can get the stuff there I know where to put the driver's stations down here.

Watch out - there's about 1-1/4 second lag each way.

techhelpbb

29-04-2016, 16:57

Watch out - there's about 1-1/4 second lag each way.

We could just make the field a little bigger. I'm sure the neighbors won't mind. FMS may just have to be modified a bit anyway.

Course we could just arrange a field trip but I think we'd need the really complex permission slips.
There's a joke in here somewhere about making good on the threat to send your kids to the moon if they don't knock it off!

Ian Curtis

29-04-2016, 23:11

I put stuff on other planets.

Did you get laid off from your old night job? That one sounded pretty cool too.

I . . . am . . . Batman!

Er, uh, ahh, wait, you said "what is your DAY job?"

s-neff

01-05-2016, 03:18

Product Engineer at SunPower Systems. I'm responsible for ongoing support of our Oasis C1 Tracker utility-scale power plant product. That includes supporting plant/project design team, construction team, quality & commissioning team, and operation & maintenance teams whenever they have an issue with the mechanical panel mounting/tracking systems, electrical controls, or DC collection. I'm done when the DC coming off the panels gets to the inverter. It's a fun, wide-ranging role, covering over 1GW installed capacity these days. The green revolution is coming! ;)

Mostly, that means that people ask me questions and expect me to know the answers. Sometimes I can answer them, sometimes I need to ask other engineers. Often, I need to figure it out on my own from codes & standards. (Reading! It's important!)
I need to write clear emails and instructions, in terms non-engineers can understand, because I'm almost never the one actually doing the work in the field (somewhat disappointing). Communication is key! It's even more important than math!

FIRST prepared me with a diverse set of skills, a strong work ethic, and my first forum for exhibiting technical leadership, and inspired me to continue assuming technical leadership in extracurricular projects during college.
It also provided the connection to my first summer internships directly after high school and freshman year of college. I swung those experiences into additional internships the following summers, and swung those internships into a Sweet Job In My Field starting two weeks after graduating from UCLA.
I am INCREDIBLY LUCKY to have had the FIRST experience to push me in this direction.

gerthworm

01-05-2016, 13:22

I write embedded controls software for big yellow machines.

Then I come to robots and help write embedded controls software for smaller red and white machines.

Embedded controls software is fun!

My thoughts from doing this for two years:

What exactly is a STEM field look like on a day-to-day basis? Lots of problem solving. Real-time problem solving. The skills you learn through First, or in school, or at work, or in your free time, these are tools to help you problem solve. The most important tool in your bag is your desire to learn new things - this is what lets you add new tools to your problem-solving bag at will.

You'll probably start out solving problems directly related to specific issues with products. Some people like that and stick with it for their whole careers. Some folks move on to solve higher-level problems, like planning larger-scale projects, or finances, or people management. All of these, through the lens of "STEM", can be thought of as simply a problem to solve. A problem which can be solved by drawing on your knowledge and experiences (the tools in your bag). A problem which may push your boundaries, and force you to develop new skills.

MooreteP

03-05-2016, 07:16

You're nuts! I'm a mechanical engineer for one of the big 3 handling block and head CNC machining and component assembly. In 14 years I want to retire and become a teacher.

No, you're nuts. I was an engineer for 10 years, then I became a teacher.
I foolishly thought that it would be somewhat easier. Couldn't have been more wrong.
Machines don't have a home life, that may be rife with issues. Machines don't have unique personalities, talk back, have future plans, complain, ask for help, or sing interesting songs.

The typical work week is 40 hours x 50 weeks = 2000 hours/year.
For a teacher, it is ~185 days x 8 hours/day = 1480 hours/year
In reality, a typical day is 9 hours, you come in at 7:00 am and leave at 4:00 pm = 1665 hours/year. There is very little "downtime". Lunch is 30 minutes.
Oh, now I have to go home and assess student work and provide formative feedback = 185 x 2 hours = 370 hours. 1665 + 370 = 2035 hours.
Then there are the summer workshops. I will be attending an AP physics refresher course = 40 hours.
Then, I will be working with my colleagues over the summer to improve the quality of our instruction.

Yes, we have ATTO (All That Time Off) which friends (and my barber) always bring up. "So what are you doing with your free time this summer?"

I haven't even included the work with our Robotics team, for which I gladly mentor. The small stipend that I receive for this is donated to the team through a United Way contribution.

So, you want to "retire" and "become" a teacher. Respond when that happens, and let me know if that is what you consider Retirement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retirement).