Greetings, I am about six months away from retiring from the Navy and looking to continue my career in the Metrology field. Basically what I am looking for is some advice from those who have been there before and maybe get an idea of what is actually out there as far as the job market goes and maybe the best way to sell one's self. I am just really looking for some basic advice or to hear some experiences that I may be able to avoid.
Thanks,
Dave Durbin
STAY IN!! Seriously, what kind of position will you be looking for? What position do you hold now?
Well I really didn't want to get into specifics and didn't want to make this about me. I was looking more for some personal experiences from those who have transitioned from the military side of calibration to the civilian sector. Especially those who retired.
But since you asked, I am currently working in Aviation Maintenance Quality Assurance on an aircraft carrier. But I have managed shipboard cal labs as well as being an instructor at the Navy's Advanced Calibration Technician school. I am really looking for anything from the technician level up to management and am pretty open to most locations.
By the way, I can't stay in even if I wanted to, which I don't.
Dave Durbin
NavyCalMaster,
I left the service some time ago but just a few pointers from the "for what it's worth":
As far as what is available, the demand waxes and wanes. Watch the job posts here on the forum and also look at PMEL"dot"ORG. There usually a few postings there under the "Metrology Jobs" tab.
Create an "online presence" through a professional network site like "LinkedIn." There is a PMEL group there with some postings. If you believe the talking heads, more jobs are filled through a network than through advertised postions.
One last bit of advice: unless you are looking at DOD contractors or the like, spend some time "civilianizing" your resume and vocabulary. Most civilians don't speak military jargon.
Good Hunting,
Everet Wash. seems to be a hot spot. I personally would prefer to work in a DOD lab. I currently work in a commercial enviroment. I just like the regimentation of the milatary lab a lot more,and Iv'e been out of the service for 25 years.
My perspective is a little different, but I have to agree with Sarge. DOD labs are one thing (and you should be very qualified in that regard).
But the civilian / commercial side of calibration is a whole different animal. There is much to learn, 17025, Z540-3 requirements. And A lot of newer equipment, and new test you will have to catch up on. Especially in the RF and Micro wave realm.
I have hired a couple people right out of the military. During the interview they all said they have a good handle on how to calibrate. I said there was a lot they still had to learn. After they have sat down with the manufacturer's manual they always come back and say, "Wow. There are a lot of things the military does not test." Just grab a manual from a R&S SMIQ.
NavyCalMaster,
I spent most of my 20 year career working in Type 3/4 shipboard labs, and then I spent quite a few years being a housewife while my husband worked. When the economy went south, he lost his job. I currently work as a contractor for the Air Force, and have for the last four years. Eveybody in the lab is either retired or former military. I'm the lone squid; we have a couple of Marines, and everybody else are Air Force types.
I found this job through America's Job Bank. Working in a contract lab for the miltary has been pretty much not too shabby. The pay is a whole lot better, there aren't any duty days, and I never have to think about mid-watches, Shore Patrol, or standing OOD. On the other hand, being prior Navy in an Air Force lab means I didn't know the numbers on the governing instructions, or even where to find them. I can quote the 5700 series instructions with the best of them, but didn't know 00-20-14 for squat. That means there is a constant rather steep learning curve, and even after 4 years, I still find that I'm not sure which instruction covers what.
The actual bench work is pretty much the same as it's always been. A "K" proceedure without it's cover looks identical to an ICP without a cover. Standards remain the same, as do the testing proceedures. I can't speak for working in a GS postion, but our Quality program is fierce, and we pride ourselves on giving the absolutely best measurements we can to our customers.
Fair winds and following Seas, Sir.
NavyCalMaster,
NCSL member lists are on the NCSL website visible to all. good luck