New engineer looking to upgrade w/ tickets

[Silentnox]

Hi there,

My name is Jason and I am just about to finish my last year of engineering(manufacturing) and currently have a job lined up for a company that makes dump trucks and oil rigs, so lots of metal fab and production type stuff. I was wondering if someone could suggest a few tickets or certifications that would help with my career and put me ahead of my competition.

Any advice would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance,
Jason

 

[Ashereng]

If you are interested in a journeyman's ticket, how about millwright?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[KENAT]

Given the industry, sounds like something in welding might be usefull. However not being a welding expert or sure what country you are in (would I be correct to assume US?)not sure what specifically.

The ability to read & understand drawings (or MBD) would really put you ahead of the curve as from my experience most degrees don't spend much (if any) time on this. Don't know how much it may be used in the type of stuff you'll be doing but at least a basic comrehension of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing would probably be usefull, also again knowing what all the weld symbols you're likely to see may be helpfull.

 

[BillPSU]

Green belt or black belt certification may be helpful. Getting your PE may help but I am not sure in the manufacturing world. Getting an MBA would also open some doors. I am a certified manufacturing engineer through SME but that has not been helpful, it doesn't get you a job or higher pay.

 

[GregLocock]

Yeah, green belt is a good buzz word. Black belt is probably better bang for your buck, I think to qualify you actually have to do a project from go to woe, whereas for green belt I just had to nod intelligently now and again.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[0707]

MANAGMENT
DESIGN
PLANNING
QUALTY
WELDING
MATERIALS

WOULD BE GOOD CERTIFICATION SKILLS ON YOUR ACTUAL JOB APPOINTMENT

 

[Silentnox]

Ya, I was thinking about taking some project management classes, I just haven’t decided on one. Im not familiar with the green belt/black belt terms, unless you are talking about karate.. ?

 

[GregLocock]

Six Sigma

check with your potential employers to see if they care.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[moltenmetal]

Some employers view administrative non-technical skills like Six Sigma certifications etc. with a severely jaundiced eye, especially if they're taken outside of a working environment. Some employers are wary of people whose interests run to finding an administrative eddy to idle around in for forty hours per week rather than doing any actual, productive work.

My suggestion: you're an engineer- learn something technical rather than some administrative rubbish! If you want to get an edge on others who are graduating at the same time that you are, distinguish yourself by being practical and grounded in physical reality. A mech eng who can weld and use machine tools is going to be more attractive to a manufacturing company than one who has only book knowledge and no hands-on skill or experience- even if that company has little to do with welding and machine tools. There'll be time enough to build those secondary skills (ie. in a particular quality program, project management etc.) on some company's nickel if you're interested- later in your career.