Author Topic: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?  (Read 5724 times)

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Offline VK3DRBTopic starter

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Most of us either have qualifications and/or experience in electronics in one form or another. I am interested in what career you did before moving into electronics or indeed what you are doing after moving out of electronics.

I don't put it on my resume, but besides working in electronics for over 30 years as a qualified engineer, I am also a trained children's shoes fitter.

During high school I worked part time for a few years at Myer Melbourne (the then Aussie equivalent of Macy's) in the Children Shoes Department and was trained to fit and sell shoes to children. The job gave me valuable experience in dealing with people (and fitting shoes). A few years later when I finished uni, I went back there to get a reference from the manageress who gave me a glowing reference which helped me get my first engineering job at IBM. People at Myer were really nice. The name of manageress of Children's Shoes Department was Mrs Shine, and there was also a Mrs Springett and a Mrs Niblett. The department next door was called Women's Lingerie and there was one guy working in there and his name was Mr Strange (and he was a little strange too). No kidding, the names are true.

So where did you come from in a previous job? Or are you one of those which gave electronics away as a career and now just do it as a hobby? Please share your story.

 
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Offline indeterminatus

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2020, 01:57:46 pm »
I'm a software engineer (studied CS, but that was already long ago, merely counts any more). I've been tinkering around with stuff since early childhood, but mostly software -- getting a computer to display the pixels in the coloring and brightnesses that *I* told it was good enough for me. I've always been most interested in designing and implementing games. As of recently, my interest in electronics has been kindled; more like the physics of the chips, and bridging the gap between "mere algorithms" and the physical world.

Right now, I'm spending most of my little leisure time (two young kids at home) learning everything I can about electronics. For my pay-checks, I'm still a full-time software engineer, and still love it; I don't see it as a job, I'm really born for it.
 
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Offline bob91343

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2020, 06:57:39 pm »
I am a jazz musician, and a weight lifting trainer.  I can do auto repair too but these days the equipment and knowhow needed is more than I can handle alone.
 
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Online Zeyneb

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2020, 07:03:59 pm »
I'm doing DIY car repairs/maintainance on my two 90s cars. I'm also a member of a DIY car repair shop.
goto considered awesome!
 

Offline dr.diesel

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2020, 07:16:58 pm »
My professional career is EE/Software and Automation, which I enjoy.  Outside of work I own a machine shop, build cars and off road machines, MIG/TIG weld and do general fabrication.

One of my Fav early jobs was working at Menards (Hardware store/lumber yard) during College.  I might even return to that same store part time when I'm too old to do anything else.

Offline eti

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2020, 01:41:11 am »
Why, are you recruiting?  :D

I'm a full time student at The University of Life. Don't ask me about experience, I wouldn't know where to start... or end. I don't like to come across as boastful, and I'm unconvinced that "qualifications" amount to much more than what you managed to hold in (possibly short-term) memory for the few days before, during and after said test. I hold City & Guild in electronics servicing and repair (UK) but I don't remember the last time anyone cared to hear that, nor needed it to hire me. I find knowing what you're on about, comes across and is more instinctively picked up upon that "look what these certs say I can do." What I mean, is that qualifications are only as important as the value placed upon them by the people you think will seek to employ you, or a way you are able to demonstrate a "agreed level of competence and expertise" in said area(s).

There's no shortage of "educated idiots" out there, falling over themselves to boast about their degrees,etc; that's fine, let them, we can all sense when the horse sh## flows freely!  ;D

We all have different experience and giftings, and I am not sure there is a "one size fits all" way of converting that to a standard, universal metric. I love seeing other people showing their CLEARLY GOD-given talents, things that come instinctively to them as part of their DNA, things I would never know where to start on! We all have weak points and HUGE strengths - I am good with "muscle memory" as regards computers and problem-solving them - many of my friends have referred to me (in huge error!) as "a genius, I could never do that!" (because they'd probably never attempt to try!) but whilst I appreciate their kindness and compliments, I know it not to be true - I am X person with X talents, and a lot of the time (with computers) my "genius" they think I have, amounts to my having Google'd/YouTube'd for a few hours, thoroughly. There are endless parts of Linux command line which I know off pat, and many others I have to refresh my mind on, regularly.

I find I get a warm, fuzzy and natural, instinctive feeling from electronics and physics - mainly because these things are based upon physical laws, and are therefore exceptionally clear to my mind, and beautiful. Whilst software is incredible, and exciting to learn, I don't get the same "feeling" deep in my soul for having learnt it. Software is based around arbitrary decisons made by man, whereas electronics is physics, and a wave is a wave is a wave, and it don't change none too muchly!

I've talked enough - I am good at what I do, and I take on most technical challenges, but one thing I always remember and like to say, is this:

Which of us have what we weren't given?
« Last Edit: September 13, 2020, 01:44:52 am by eti »
 

Offline VK3DRBTopic starter

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2020, 02:28:15 pm »
Why, are you recruiting?  :D

I'm a full time student at The University of Life. Don't ask me about experience, I wouldn't know where to start... or end. I don't like to come across as boastful, and I'm unconvinced that "qualifications" amount to much more than what you managed to hold in (possibly short-term) memory for the few days before, during and after said test. I hold City & Guild in electronics servicing and repair (UK) but I don't remember the last time anyone cared to hear that, nor needed it to hire me. I find knowing what you're on about, comes across and is more instinctively picked up upon that "look what these certs say I can do." What I mean, is that qualifications are only as important as the value placed upon them by the people you think will seek to employ you, or a way you are able to demonstrate a "agreed level of competence and expertise" in said area(s).

There's no shortage of "educated idiots" out there, falling over themselves to boast about their degrees,etc; that's fine, let them, we can all sense when the horse sh## flows freely!  ;D

We all have different experience and giftings, and I am not sure there is a "one size fits all" way of converting that to a standard, universal metric. I love seeing other people showing their CLEARLY GOD-given talents, things that come instinctively to them as part of their DNA, things I would never know where to start on! We all have weak points and HUGE strengths - I am good with "muscle memory" as regards computers and problem-solving them - many of my friends have referred to me (in huge error!) as "a genius, I could never do that!" (because they'd probably never attempt to try!) but whilst I appreciate their kindness and compliments, I know it not to be true - I am X person with X talents, and a lot of the time (with computers) my "genius" they think I have, amounts to my having Google'd/YouTube'd for a few hours, thoroughly. There are endless parts of Linux command line which I know off pat, and many others I have to refresh my mind on, regularly.

I find I get a warm, fuzzy and natural, instinctive feeling from electronics and physics - mainly because these things are based upon physical laws, and are therefore exceptionally clear to my mind, and beautiful. Whilst software is incredible, and exciting to learn, I don't get the same "feeling" deep in my soul for having learnt it. Software is based around arbitrary decisons made by man, whereas electronics is physics, and a wave is a wave is a wave, and it don't change none too muchly!

I've talked enough - I am good at what I do, and I take on most technical challenges, but one thing I always remember and like to say, is this:

Which of us have what we weren't given?

Nope, not recruiting. I have recruited and I look at the triple A's: Attitude, Aptitude and Ability. I someone is positive in all of those, then I am interested. I test people for their electronics knowledge, irrespective of qualifications.

One of the smartest engineer I ever worked with at IBM did not have a degree. He earned respect through his ability, knowledge and experience. However there was a boastful engineer in the company who put him down because they had a degree and he didn't. As an observer, I dare say the boastful person did that because of his own "issues" despite having a degree. One senior manager at IBM was a real braggart would not associate with anyone socially or in business unless they had an MBA or were studying for it, or if he needed them for something that would make him look good. I was not interested in an MBA, so I was on the outer. In technical terms he was an idiot despite having a double degree (one in electronic engineering) plus and MBA. He did not know what the voltage rating on an electrolytic capacitor was for. This guy was evidence of being a destructive writer as you imply... all knowledge is gone before the ink has dried on the exam paper. He was hopeless at electronics, systems engineering and computer science - but he was a smart politician - he talked the talk and "played golf" with he right people, as such got promoted to a very high level. Such people are vexations to the spirit.

Incidentally, in answer to your question, most of what I have was not given to me. Most of what I have was earned - the hard way.
 

Offline VK3DRBTopic starter

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2020, 02:40:18 pm »
I'm doing DIY car repairs/maintainance on my two 90s cars. I'm also a member of a DIY car repair shop.

Awesome. I think the tinkering outside electronics is a bonus. I once hired a guy and the clincher for him getting the job was as a kid he helped his dad in Sri Lanka restore classic British cars, and his hobby in Australia was restoring Mini Minors (which he had driven one to the interview). Not much electronics in in a Mini Minor! My hunch about him paid off and he proved himself as an excellent engineer.
 

Offline themadhippy

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2020, 03:45:43 pm »
Ive got my 25 yards swimming certificate and my cycling proficiency badge.
 
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Offline eti

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2020, 09:42:57 pm »
Why, are you recruiting?  :D

I'm a full time student at The University of Life. Don't ask me about experience, I wouldn't know where to start... or end. I don't like to come across as boastful, and I'm unconvinced that "qualifications" amount to much more than what you managed to hold in (possibly short-term) memory for the few days before, during and after said test. I hold City & Guild in electronics servicing and repair (UK) but I don't remember the last time anyone cared to hear that, nor needed it to hire me. I find knowing what you're on about, comes across and is more instinctively picked up upon that "look what these certs say I can do." What I mean, is that qualifications are only as important as the value placed upon them by the people you think will seek to employ you, or a way you are able to demonstrate a "agreed level of competence and expertise" in said area(s).

There's no shortage of "educated idiots" out there, falling over themselves to boast about their degrees,etc; that's fine, let them, we can all sense when the horse sh## flows freely!  ;D

We all have different experience and giftings, and I am not sure there is a "one size fits all" way of converting that to a standard, universal metric. I love seeing other people showing their CLEARLY GOD-given talents, things that come instinctively to them as part of their DNA, things I would never know where to start on! We all have weak points and HUGE strengths - I am good with "muscle memory" as regards computers and problem-solving them - many of my friends have referred to me (in huge error!) as "a genius, I could never do that!" (because they'd probably never attempt to try!) but whilst I appreciate their kindness and compliments, I know it not to be true - I am X person with X talents, and a lot of the time (with computers) my "genius" they think I have, amounts to my having Google'd/YouTube'd for a few hours, thoroughly. There are endless parts of Linux command line which I know off pat, and many others I have to refresh my mind on, regularly.

I find I get a warm, fuzzy and natural, instinctive feeling from electronics and physics - mainly because these things are based upon physical laws, and are therefore exceptionally clear to my mind, and beautiful. Whilst software is incredible, and exciting to learn, I don't get the same "feeling" deep in my soul for having learnt it. Software is based around arbitrary decisons made by man, whereas electronics is physics, and a wave is a wave is a wave, and it don't change none too muchly!

I've talked enough - I am good at what I do, and I take on most technical challenges, but one thing I always remember and like to say, is this:

Which of us have what we weren't given?

Nope, not recruiting. I have recruited and I look at the triple A's: Attitude, Aptitude and Ability. I someone is positive in all of those, then I am interested. I test people for their electronics knowledge, irrespective of qualifications.

One of the smartest engineer I ever worked with at IBM did not have a degree. He earned respect through his ability, knowledge and experience. However there was a boastful engineer in the company who put him down because they had a degree and he didn't. As an observer, I dare say the boastful person did that because of his own "issues" despite having a degree. One senior manager at IBM was a real braggart would not associate with anyone socially or in business unless they had an MBA or were studying for it, or if he needed them for something that would make him look good. I was not interested in an MBA, so I was on the outer. In technical terms he was an idiot despite having a double degree (one in electronic engineering) plus and MBA. He did not know what the voltage rating on an electrolytic capacitor was for. This guy was evidence of being a destructive writer as you imply... all knowledge is gone before the ink has dried on the exam paper. He was hopeless at electronics, systems engineering and computer science - but he was a smart politician - he talked the talk and "played golf" with he right people, as such got promoted to a very high level. Such people are vexations to the spirit.

Incidentally, in answer to your question, most of what I have was not given to me. Most of what I have was earned - the hard way.

By "given" I mean imparted, taught, or things we have learnt, all those are gifts which we are given, the discovery of some method or way, is a transferrence of wisdom, no matter how it's achieved.
 

Offline Bassman59

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2020, 03:29:31 am »
I'm a touring live front-of-house sound mixer.

Well, I was, until the virus destroyed that entire industry.
 

Offline CatalinaWOW

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2020, 04:54:30 am »
I had a number of jobs before completing university and going electronics full time.

Garden labor,  dishwasher, postal delivery, steel fabrication (basically cutting and bending rebar to spec for concrete work), power company field survey, liquor sales clerk, adding machine operator, and cinema projector operator.

Family and volunteer work added machining, farm labor, auto repair, baby sitting, disaster relief, and a number of others.

All of which have contributed to my tool box of skills.  Don't regret any of them.
 
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Offline Mighty Burger

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2020, 05:38:29 am »
I don’t have much to say for myself, I’m just an EE student going straight into the field right out of high school. Maybe if you count part-time landscaping then sure.

My high school electronics teacher has had a more interesting career though. He started out as an airplane mechanic. I think he did some work in the military, and he has quite the collection of stories. Eventually he made the somewhat odd decision to switch to teaching. He started with history and English and is now teaching electronics, and has been for many years. He wanted to make as positive an impact as he could.

He is a fantastic guy. He’s largely what inspired me to head into the electronics field. I have a few funny stories I could share about him.
 

Offline VK3DRBTopic starter

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2020, 10:16:23 am »
I don’t have much to say for myself, I’m just an EE student going straight into the field right out of high school. Maybe if you count part-time landscaping then sure.

My high school electronics teacher has had a more interesting career though. He started out as an airplane mechanic. I think he did some work in the military, and he has quite the collection of stories. Eventually he made the somewhat odd decision to switch to teaching. He started with history and English and is now teaching electronics, and has been for many years. He wanted to make as positive an impact as he could.

He is a fantastic guy. He’s largely what inspired me to head into the electronics field. I have a few funny stories I could share about him.

Great story! I too was inspired by some science teachers, a graphics teacher and a physics teacher. Their enthusiasm was infectious, especially the physics teacher named Graeme Lofts (http://www.graemelofts.com/p/about-graeme_26.html) who made physics so interesting.

I suspect many teachers might not know what impact they make on people's lives. You may be interested in checking out the original Twilight Zone episode "The Changing of the Guard" 1 June 1962. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734634/ A powerful message about the impact teachers have on our lives. In this episode it seriously hard not to choke up.
 
« Last Edit: September 14, 2020, 10:22:35 am by VK3DRB »
 

Offline Halcyon

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2020, 10:21:42 am »
Fire fighter, police officer, cyber security expert and university lecturer on this end. I have spent all my working life with technology and electronics (in one form or another) starting when I was 14. Back then I worked in computer repairs and the internet was provided through dial-up modem. ;-)
« Last Edit: September 14, 2020, 10:30:01 am by Halcyon »
 

Online NiHaoMike

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #15 on: September 14, 2020, 01:06:25 pm »
I have been using Linux since the early 2000s or so, switched to using it exclusively on the desktop in 2007. I did have a Windows XP VM handy in case I needed it but I only used it a few times in college and very rarely after that.

I have an EPA 608 for doing research on HVAC and refrigeration.

Have also done quite a bit of home remodeling/repair work.
I'm doing DIY car repairs/maintainance on my two 90s cars. I'm also a member of a DIY car repair shop.
Also do DIY auto work, although I haven't had to do much for the last decade - Toyotas are quite reliable.
I'm a touring live front-of-house sound mixer.

Well, I was, until the virus destroyed that entire industry.
Perhaps it's time to develop a live streaming service that focuses on high audio quality? As in FLAC with up to 7.1 surround. Also support 4K or above video to go with it but allow the audio and video quality to be adjusted independently. And VR would be good for those who like to watch the band playing.
Cryptocurrency has taught me to love math and at the same time be baffled by it.

Cryptocurrency lesson 0: Altcoins and Bitcoin are not the same thing.
 

Offline Bassman59

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #16 on: September 14, 2020, 05:41:27 pm »
I'm a touring live front-of-house sound mixer.

Well, I was, until the virus destroyed that entire industry.
Perhaps it's time to develop a live streaming service that focuses on high audio quality? As in FLAC with up to 7.1 surround. Also support 4K or above video to go with it but allow the audio and video quality to be adjusted independently. And VR would be good for those who like to watch the band playing.

That's all well and good -- for the bands, and maybe a tech or two. Some friends who own sound companies have reconfigured their shop spaces to do live streams of band performances. They have most of the gear already; it was a simple matter of getting the streaming set up. The quality of both audio and video really depends on what the end user has for broadband access and what they have for decoding. Can you transmit FLAC and more importantly does the viewer have the proper software to decode it?

The larger problem is, of course, getting anyone to pay. See, in this YouTube world, users expect free content. A virtual tip jar is nice but my friends in bands tell me that the money is neligible. For higher-tier acts a $10 or $20 (or more) ticket to a one-time live broadcast event is a possible money-maker (I wonder about the income from that recent Nick Cave solo-piano thing, for example) but there's no evidence that it's sustainable or that it can work at all for the lower-tier acts.

And ask any musician, from rock to jazz to classical, and they'll all tell you that performing in front of an audience that reacts to the music is much better than what basically amounts to playing in the studio in front of nobody.

Also -- streaming like this does nothing for the army of support staff who make shows happen -- backline techs, gear/vehicle rental companies, tour production companies, venue staff from janitors to bartenders to technical crew to booking agents. I watch Dave Rat's YouTube videos that he does just as a way to keep busy while Rat Sound is idle. Never heard of Rat Sound? They're the second largest sound company in the USA, behind Clair Brothers. Rat does, for example, Coachella. What Dave doesn't say in his videos is that he's got tens of millions of dollars in top-shelf production gear sitting in the shop and hundreds of employees doing absolutely nothing, and there's no foreseeable re-start time.

What really should happen is that all of the idle tour managers and backline techs and drivers should take over UPS and FedEx. Shit will arrive ON TIME, no excuses, and it will arrive undamaged. Of course you gotta pay these people their usual rates, which means Amazon's free shipping is going away. Whaddaya expect for free, anyway? Actual service?
 

Offline ANTALIFE

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #17 on: September 15, 2020, 05:25:30 am »
Back in High School I used to work in a camera shop, and that gave me a snippet of the film/photography world. Then my stepdad always tried to get me involved in woodworking/renovations, looking back I am so grateful that he did as these skills have been crazy useful

After Uni I did a bit of work for an injection moulding factory as an operator, again so glad that I got to see what happens behind the scenes in the manufacturing world

The most recent additions would be CAD & 3D printing, plus I am slowly getting back into cosplaying  8)
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 05:28:56 am by ANTALIFE »
 

Offline eti

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #18 on: September 17, 2020, 05:20:25 am »
Fire fighter, police officer, cyber security expert and university lecturer on this end. I have spent all my working life with technology and electronics (in one form or another) starting when I was 14. Back then I worked in computer repairs and the internet was provided through dial-up modem. ;-)

I'm immediately suspicious of anyone attributing "expert" to *themselves*, and I find it far more acceptable as a title attributed to oneself by others. I know you're just used to calling yourself that, but when there's always someone with greater range of knowledge than oneself, I find it may come across as slightly boastful.

Also, you make a rod for your own back by labelling yourself as "expert", because sooner or later when you run dry on answers for some problem, you're gonna be asked "I thought you were an 'expert'?"

Remember: an ex is a has-been, and a spurt is a drip under pressure.  :)

https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/please-stop-calling-yourself-an-expert-instead-just-do-this.html
« Last Edit: September 17, 2020, 05:26:16 am by eti »
 

Offline SerieZ

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #19 on: September 17, 2020, 09:08:44 am »
Fire fighter, police officer, cyber security expert and university lecturer on this end. I have spent all my working life with technology and electronics (in one form or another) starting when I was 14. Back then I worked in computer repairs and the internet was provided through dial-up modem. ;-)

I'm immediately suspicious of anyone attributing "expert" to *themselves*, and I find it far more acceptable as a title attributed to oneself by others. I know you're just used to calling yourself that, but when there's always someone with greater range of knowledge than oneself, I find it may come across as slightly boastful.

Also, you make a rod for your own back by labelling yourself as "expert", because sooner or later when you run dry on answers for some problem, you're gonna be asked "I thought you were an 'expert'?"

Remember: an ex is a has-been, and a spurt is a drip under pressure.  :)

https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/please-stop-calling-yourself-an-expert-instead-just-do-this.html

Might be a language thing but when I hear "Expert" I think of someone knowledgeable in a certain Field and not of a know-it-all or pretentiousness and I personally find Lifestyle/LinkedIN style Bloggers far, FAR more obnoxious than people who foolishly overestimate their own expertise. Next Week Justin is going to tell us to stop calling yourself a Professional or Engineer or some other great Industry Wisdom.  :palm: It is so redundant and obvious to say that you have to prove yourself instead of just talk.
Also the Expert-Charlatans are easy to spot if you are knowledgeable in a field yourself.
As easy as paint by number.
 

Offline indeterminatus

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #20 on: September 18, 2020, 03:37:03 pm »
I'm immediately suspicious of anyone attributing "expert" to *themselves*, and I find it far more acceptable as a title attributed to oneself by others.

In the software world, it often goes like this (this is not just a meme, it happened to me first-hand, several times, and I suspect I'll be susceptible to it countless times in the future):

Someone: Hey, I hear you are the expert for <pick arbitrary technology> in the company? How would I go about <insert in-depth question about that technology>?

Self: Erm, what?

Someone: Well, I was looking at <insert code snippet>, and saw you made some changes to it.

Self: Yeah, the build was broken because some library changed and it wasn't reflected there. I merely got this back to a compiling state. I hope I did not break anything for you? According to the library's documentation, this seemed to be the way to go, and the tests still passed, so ...

Someone: Yeah, you know more than I do, which makes you the expert here. The guy who wrote this in the first place left the company four years ago.

I suspect you EE guys have similar stories ... it's as easy as making a small change somewhere to become "the expert".  ::)
 

Offline Kilo Tango

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #21 on: September 18, 2020, 07:44:17 pm »
I am a qualified welder. 

Go to do something to boost earnings of EE's !.

Ken
 
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Offline Nominal Animal

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #22 on: September 19, 2020, 01:07:47 am »
I designed the very first set of collectors cards for the Finnish Defence Forces in 1997; 9 cards, one set in Finnish, and the other in English, showcasing some of the equipment and the defence Minister, to be handed off to people at Tattoo and other such PR events.  I still have a few sets as mementoes.
 

Offline james_s

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #23 on: September 19, 2020, 06:28:20 am »
I'm a certified HVAC technician. I've never done it for a living but I took the online course and got certified so I could buy R-22 refrigerant and (legally) install and service A/C and heat pump systems. Funny thing is that nobody has ever asked me to show proof of certification when I've bought it, even though they all have a sign that says you have to have it. I also hold a technician class ham radio license.
 

Offline Howardlong

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Re: Outside electronics, what other qualifications/experience do you have?
« Reply #24 on: September 19, 2020, 07:56:37 am »
Very early on in my career, I went to the other side and did software, at that time I couldn’t see myself making much money in electronics in the UK. This took me organically into financial enterprise systems just when PCs were taking over from green screens, and client-server technology was in its infancy. As a result for most of the last 30 years I’ve designed, developed, maintained and supported financial trading systems on a consultancy basis. Today’s engagement is as a “full stack developer”, although I’m much more a back end guy, I’m pretty useless when it comes to UIs.

I also do a lot more electronics work, but that’s for my own products, and while both sides of my business ebb and flow, they tend to support each other, although the majority of my income for the past ten years has derived from the electronics design and manufacturing side. The electronics side is mixed signal RF, from DSP algorithm development to board layout, much of it in aerospace. “Full stack” as the softies would say,

For about three years, around 2012, I semi-retired and did some mid life crisis things. Fearing I would be left behind technically speaking, and finding my life was rather insular, missing the day to day interactions with others, I was asked by an old customer to help them out of a hole for six weeks, but I ended up there for three years, and have since continued picking up further contracts elsewhere.

On the side, I play saxophone to a reasonable standard, fly single engined piston planes, and enjoy dining out at fancy restaurants more than is strictly necessary.
 


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