Happy Labor Day...a Thought For Those Starting Careers

[drc32-0]

There was a small article in the Columbus Dispatch this past week announcing that a cracker plant will be built in Monroe county,due to come on line by 2019.this a major project...1 billion dollars.What the article didn't mention is that there are two much larger cracker on the drawling board in Parkersburg WV and Manaca Pa.

So what's my point?

This...these plants,and several other gas processing plants,will need several instrument techs!From my limited experience with instrument techs there just isn't that many out there.

If I was a young person who likes mechanical and electrical/electronic work,I would take a good look at this career field.If you like working on cars or motorcycles,those skills can translate over to the instrument tech career field pretty easily.Some of the best I.T.s I know were mechanics first.

As for pay...a GOOD I.T. will make over 100 k with a very good benefit package.

The need is coming,it's your call.

...and you will be living in some of the best riding areas in the mid west!

Edited September 1, 2014 by drc32-0

[bowdog]

not the same, but AEP is also getting ready to start a huge new headquarters in New Albany. Jobs in Ohio are looking good for years to come.

[smccrory]

Having graduated from DeVry, I can echo what the guys are saying.  Beyond that, Information Technology across the board is booming even in a stumbling economy.  Programmer, database administrators, system admins, business analysts and quality assurance folks make good money and there are lots of employers in the major Ohio cities and beyond.

[Dizzledan]

What is the best route to take to expedite a successful career? Is schooling absolutely necessary, or do you pick up what you need from the work/co-workers. In other words, do I need to know how to program in different languages, or just know how various systems work and how to look for trouble? 

[smccrory]

Nothing beats a hungry, constantly-learning mind that reads, programs, plays with databases, APIs, different operating systems etc. on the side. I.T. isn't typically a 9-5 job even after you've been at it 10+ years, so if you're breaking in, dive deep and learn to breathe water because you'll be there a while. Stay with it and it all pays off handsomely, but that persistence and drive is what separates the earners from the posers.

That's not to say you don't learn from co-workers, in fact good mentors are invaluable, but they need to deliver too, so every hour with you is an extra hour they'll need to make up, hence the term RTFM.

A degree is helpful and some places require it but not all do. My attitude is that you should make the most of every opportunity, and don't say no to an IT job unless it's clearly against your direction or the pay is stupid low.

With every job or task or experience, reflect on how it's crafting a better and better story about your value. You will be selling yourself, make no mistake, and the moment/month/year you forget that, you'll be let go for someone else who can better articulate their value to whomever is writing the checks.