Old salt, wannabe metrologist..............

[classicTEST]

Hello All,

I am retired military and interested in Metrology as a follow-on career.  I drove ships for the better part of 30 years and now get to change course.

I have 3-4 years of experience as an ameture metrologist in my lab buying, repairing, and calibrating scopes, generators, spec an's and anything else that came my way.  Mostly vintage HP and TEK.  I use a GPSDO that I built for my timing reference, a restored Fluke 7105a, 5200a, 5205a, 540b, and 731b for AC/DC and I am working on the rest.

I am currently a full-time student at the University of Akron studying Electronic Engineering Technology and I would like to start working in the Metrology field. As much as I have researched, I cannot clearly determine what education or training is generally needed to get started.  In other words, what does one need to get their proverbial foot in the door of Metrology if you did not start here 30 years ago?  It's a little late to re-up!

Cheers,

David

[ck454ss]

Id say for a Jr. tech position a 2 yr electronics degree and certification such as Certified Cal Tech from ASQ.  If you have PMEL you essentially have all above already.

The problem you have is low experience and age.  Yes I know age isnt suppose to matter but it does with only 3 to 4 yrs experience.  My return on investment with someone like you is pretty low.

[classicTEST]

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Just for the sake of clarity.......I am trying to understand the MINIMUM prerequisites for entry into Metrology.

I would not expect to earn any more than the next person with zero professional experience, that is what my retirement check is for.  Is there simply so much training and experience needed to get one to a proficient and productive level, that it predicates a young start?

Do most cal labs expect one to start and finish a full career at one facility or do they simply not like hiring middle-aged people?

Cheers,

David

[ck454ss]

I hire middle age people but they have the PMEL experience which unfortunately is a dying breed.  You probably could get a job in a smaller lab doing basic Mechanical cals.  I personally would put you on Plug Gages, most likely part time and at my whim for hours, to begin with, and work you up in the mechanical field if the work is there.

Not sure of your true age and what you are looking for.  You could be 65 and looking for work to keep you busy.  With no experience its really going to be tough to get hired.  There is  limited work to be done at times and I am hiring a more well rounded tech I can bounce around different calibration fields depending on my needs with the business.

[classicTEST]

I am 47 and looking for a second career, not just a hobby or part time gig.  I was actually thinking that a solid education, practical experience in my home lab and a genuine interest in metrology would be a good place to start, but it sounds like I may need to lower my expectations of gainful employment.

Humph!!  Thank you for your candor.

Cheers,

David

[ck454ss]

At 47 all is not lost its that you will pretty much be starting over.  Many people 47 already have close to 30 yrs experience in the field.  I would say most people have their careers well rounded by then and know the gambit of calibrations out there.  DC/RF/Mechanical and some other special fields.  It can happen but I think you would be in a uphill battle depending on your expectations.

This of course is just my opinion.  It doesnt mean what I say is always true out there.

[classicTEST]

I do not allow starting from scratch to get me all wrapped around the axle.  If i did, my life would be a train wreck.  I simply look at the totality of the transition as a new challenge and opportunity for growth.  I have well over 20 years left in me for another career, and if all else fails, it will be MUCH easier the second time around.  Who would not love the opportunity to walk into a whole new career - fresh out of school - only this time..........with the experience only gained by years of learning the hard way.  One would hope that it would make the trajectory that much more acute, no?

David

[MetVet]

If you could settle for being a calibration technician rather than a metrologist, practical experience is more important than theoretical in my opinion.  It sounds like you already have the basic skills required, and if you bring the motivation that it appears you have, you should be able to work yourself up to reasonable level within a few years.

Best place to start would be to reach out to local cal labs to see if they are willing to take on a trainee.  Most of your learning will come from hands on training utilizing the calibration standards, and your abilities to comprehend and execute calibration procedures.

Good luck to you.

[classicTEST]

BINGO!!!!!!

We have a winner everyone!!!!

MetVet, the way you worded that was the key to my understanding......."being a calibration technician rather than a metrologist."

I then went to ASQ and read the Metrology Job Descriptions pdf and now understand completely.

Calibration Technician is what I am looking for in my next career.  No need or desire to work in theoretical physics for me.

Thank you for the CLARITY!!!

So now that I understand what I am looking for specifically (damn Asperger's), I can now ask an intelligent question.

Is an "easy-to-hire" Calibration Tech skilled in all things Metrology, i.e. pressure, temp, physical measurement, electrical and timing, or do they specialize in certain areas?

Cheers,

David

[MetVet]

The more you know, the easier you will be to hire, however, being exceptionally skilled in a least one discipline is very desirable.  This can often be the skill that gets you in the door.

Many cal labs have certain specialties (Phys/Dim, RF/Microwave, etc.).  Take a look at the labs in your area, and in job postings as well, to see what they are looking for.

There is a demand for skilled repair techs in the industry, and I see you have experience there.  That might be a good way in the door?

[USMC kalibrater]

I wouldn't discount the power of your AS degree.  You could drastically improve your hire-ability by getting the ASQ CCT cert completed. 
The hardest piece you have is getting a foot in the door, once your resume shows calibration experience lots of doors will open.
In today's market where it is hard to find competent fully trained techs, I would not pass someone by just because they lack PMEL ...

[USMCPMEL]

If you are going towards a degree in Electrical Engineering why not be an Electrical Engineer? The pay is much better and the Engineers are in much higher demand than Calibration Technicians.

[CalLabSolutions]

There are Metrology Engineers as well. They are also paid very well.
There is also a Metrology Technician... This is the guy in the lab who's job it is to follow the instructions in the manual.  Yes... Lots of skill, lots of OJT.. But not an engineer.

[MetVet]

To be precise (pun intended), it is generally accepted that there are 3 classifications in our field, Calibration Technician, Calibration Engineer, and Metrologist.  The technicians are basically performing the calibrations while the engineers and metrologists are more involved at applying their skills to designing and developing systems, procedures, methods, etc., and maintaing the systems, figuring out problems and provide admin to the laboratories.

There is a lot more time invested into education for the engineers and metrologists than technicians, but the real work would never happen with out the techs

[USMCPMEL]

 I still say to apply as an electrical engineer. There are a heck of a lot more of them then there are of us plus they generally get paid alot more than we get paid.