I am a Machinist. I opperate both conventional and (mostly) CNC lathes and mill's. I also do my own cam programing. We make automated parts marking systems utilising ink-jet, laser and dot-peen part marking printers. So next time you look at things like the born on date on a beer bottle, identifying marks on bad aircraft parts to many more things that ya can think of, you can thank me. www.automationplus.net

Eventually I want to go back to school to learn CAD, and then after that, get an mechanical engineering degree, but that last part is least likely to happen.

My old man was a plumber, and then I worked for a guy that was an electrican, but i didnt do much electrical work. he raised english pointers, he needed a scooper, and i needed a job in HS. Needless to say, i spent some time growin up on construction sites. Id kinda like to get back into that or go to farming.

 

Very impressed with the line of work everyone does, 90% blue color workers that build america, 10% people going to school to better their lives. Can't complain at all

 

Are you guys ready for this?!

I am a Civil Engineer, more importantly a Field Service Engineer that inspects bridges. I keep the larger side of America's Infrastructure in the Northeast up to specs. I have occasionaly go outside of the my area for other neat little jobs. My job entails heights of greater then 30 ft. I am sure some of you are like, meh thats nothing, anyways. Some days I typically hang from a pair of 3/8" ropes... or a piece of strap over 300 ft off the ground/water. Other days I am in interesting pieces of equipment over land or water at heights of 100 or more, like a 201ft Bronto Lift (only 2 in the nation or up to 75 ft UBs (underbridge vehicles typically 65 fts are used). What I do requires a special breed. The company I am in has been around since 1893. This specialized unit has been around for 20 yrs. We are one of a few companies that specialize in this type of access. Now for some photos to get a good idear of what I am blabbing about and tooting my horn for, just a proud worker . I know some of you have seen most of these photographs, but whatever

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True story man. I couldnt agree more.

 

From the look of this i would say your a Structural emphasis?

 

Wow! That's crazy. My hat is off to you.

I was looking at a .gov job posting back around 1999 I was qualified for. The pay was very good. RF Field Technician. It looked real good until I read between the lines: Western Slope of Colorado. Must be able to drive 4WD. Must be able to climb towers in excess of 300 ft. Ummm, Colorado, in the dead of winter, remote towers, a minimum of 300 ice-covered, windblown bowel quivering feet. I didn't apply.

 

Yes, structural is my main emphasis. Within the company we do offer mechanical, electrical, and now we are getting into a little geotechnical. I plan on moving to a smaller more localize, short scale of structural emphasis once the unit lands a project or two. This stuff wears on you even though its cool. Plus the family kind of takes a beating at times...

Thanks, that sounds like a rough job. We kinda get a decent mix of weather luckily.

 

Nice. I build em and you inspect them

 

Jack of all trades, Master of none.
Started out after high school in retail selling ceiling fans in the summer and wood burning stoves in the winter. Next spent time as a hand on a product oil rig in Bakersfield CA, and discovered real quick I wanted a job that was inside out of the elements.
Joined the Navy for 10 years as an OS2/E5 (Operation Specialist, Radar/Computer guy) while on shore duty went and got my associates degree in computer electronics.
After the Navy I’ve worked as a desktop computer support, netadmin, and now Helpdesk Supervisor for a large commercial real estate company.

 

Yeah and I also work on the planning and designing side as well...and or the repair side... I just dont pick up the wrench or the materials... that's your job This is how bad it is some times, I was flown to Park City, Ut to observe samples being extracted from a bridge just recently...

 

I hear you on that, work is very demanding as a civil, I luckily don't have to scale any bridges though its very common at this DOT, but you have to take some classes first, which is on the very back burner for me lol, since i'm Transportation most of my work is highways and roads projects designing and planning, surverying, do some geotech, airport design and planning, and construction inspection. I'm aiming for LEED certification in the near future. Surprise your company doesn't do geotech in house, but you probably sub contract that out. You have your PE yet, just wondering?