So what is everyone's educational background, and what is your current occupation?

[TL140]

So I'm on here a lot and I see a lot of people from all sorts of industries on here posting and from my experience in the field, I've seen PLC gurus with quite different degrees and education.

I've seen a lot of guys with no degrees and only certificates. I've seen software developers turn into automation engineers. And electrical engineers. Mechanical engineers. Maintenance guys. ETC.

I currently have 2 associates degrees, and I've been working on my third. First one is in mechatronics, and the next is in industrial electronics. I have some PLC programming certificates from Scantime Engineering LTD, and I'm about to receive specialized training on AB equipment. My employer is sending me.

I currently work as an automation tech. Hoping to get that engineering title in the future though!!!

What background and jobs do you guys have?

 

[PLC Pie Guy]

Since my background is probably not nearly as impressive as what were going to see posted here shortly, I'll start.
I started as an Industrial Electrician, through apprenticeship and learned PLC and controls from day one. A quick stint in construction just to get my license to pull permits and back to industrial work.
I studied automation through various methods of self teaching and some courses I could get along the way.
As well as a tiny bit of freelancing, now I am the "Automation/Controls Guy" for a large food company that has two plants in our area. We bring in equipment to be integrated into our systems as well as build a lot of our own equipment. This requires me to plan, design, build and certify the electrical systems, safety/control systems and control panels. Then I get to do all of the PLC and HMI design and programming.
I am always learning and sometimes get stuck and need advice, thanks PLC.NET!
I am doing more now than I ever thought possible starting as an industrial electrician and now my employability is through the roof with job interviews working in my favor every time!

 

[John Morris]

+1 to PLC Pie Guy

thanks PLC.NET!
!

Associates degree EE, Bachelors in automated manufacturing with a minor in robotics.

25 years as an industrial electrician, supervisor, manager, in mining, plastics, food processing, manufacturing air conditioners, fully automated plants.

Last three years wiring and programming automated cleaning processes.

Panel building and programming has become a passion.

It's been Nirvana since leaving manufacturing.

 

[geniusintraining]

I started way back in mechanical... working as maintenance tech and did not like walking up to a machine and having to call someone else to fix it, so I started going to school and never stopped, I have gone to everything I could... HVAC to Graphic Arts, served a 5 year apprenticeship, also lost of crash courses AB, Siemens, Mitsubishi and LOTS of reading, I just turned 50 and still plan on going to more schooling

As for what im doing now.... well salesman/janitor/customer support and every great once in awhile I get to go on a troubleshooting call, that said I would not trade it for anything, about 10 years ago thanks to a lot of people on this website and this website I started my own business and love it :site:

Always loved the troubleshooting and hope to do more

 

[JohnCalderwood]

Bachelor Science in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Master Science in Maintenance Systems, engineering and Management
Chartered Electrical Engineer & MIET

Started off in Nuclear Station design and construction, dabbled in install/commissioning of GEM80 PLCs, then programmed a couple.
Moved to the Chemical Industry as a Controls Engineer on AB PLC5 for 20 years, including design/programming/install/commissioning/support in Scotland and China, as Controls Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Works Maintenance Engineer. Got paid off and factories now closed.

Tried to be a Control/SCADA/telemetry consultant for a big company with the UK Water Industries, stuck that 5 years travelling, site surveys of old control systems and how to upgrade, saw that I still knew the technical stuff, so wanted back to the real world.

Now been 3.5 years in wood manufacturing as Controls Engineer, all technical, again design/install/test/support on PLC5/CLX/Siemens S7/InTouch/Networks. No management responsibilities any more...

Old systems here badly need upgrading, dealing with PLC5/Klockner Moeller PLCs and InTouch SCADA on WinNT/2000/XP, even had a couple of DOS SCADAs until a few weeks ago....all of it is a challenge!

Found PLCs.net - been helped out many times by reading threads, asking questions. Realised I could do the same, sometimes, so throw my shilling's worth in when I can....

 

[gclshortt]

Graduated from a 3 year community college course with a Electronic Engineering Technology diploma. Was hired by Omron Canada and worked my way up to Automation Specialist. Spent allot of time teaching PLC programming across the country. This was back in the early days of PLC's and some of the first small ones hit the market. (Omron K Series)
Went to Siemens Canada for a spell as a automation specialist. This was at the transition between the S5 and S7 series of PLCs.
Then went to work for one of the largest Omron distributors at the time as their Automation Sales Manger.
Ventured on my own, writing and supporting programs in several different fields.
Currently working as a Manufacturing Process Manager in a wire and cable plant. Automating the information systems and supporting processes. We monitor the entire plant through an intranet system. This can be monitored on any device with a browser.

Over 30 years in the business and still learning...

 

[T Gibbs]

I took Industrial Electricity class in high school. It was relay based. I don't think the term PLC was ever mentioned in that class. Started doing residential electrical right out of high school, then moved up to commercial and industrial after a few years. Attended a PLC course at the local tech school around 2006, then got some software and started practicing. I was with an electrical contractor for 26+ years, the last 10 doing mainly controls. About a year ago I took a job as a PLC/automation tech at a factory where I did a lot of work.
I've learned a lot from PLCs.net, youtube, and reverse engineering other's programs. I know I'm nowhere close to some of you, but I get the job done and I'm not starving.

 

[icky812]

I started off with Mainframe programming on the IBM System 36 before I left high school. (Yes, I am that old...)

Sitting all day wasn't my cup of tea so I got an Associates Degree in Electronic Communications.

Went from that to being an instrumentation tech at a Zinc Refinery.

Several career moves later doing various industrial jobs I ended up at AutomationDirect.com. Now I am a Product Engineer for our new Do-more! series of controllers. Tons of fun getting to help the design team put products out that you guys will enjoy using every day. I never dreamed about getting this far in the industrial job market. The only downside is knowing the cool stuff that is being worked on, but I can't tell you anything about it yet. You'll just have to and see when it gets to our web site.

 

[isiah_s]

Electrical Engineering degree. Worked in software and electronics automation. Decided to go into industrial stuff instead.

Work these days designing scrubbers.

 

[boneless]

In the Netherlands I did a 4 year vocational track. This would allow me to work as a independent electrician.

After that I did a 4 year Bachelor track in Electrical Energy Engineering.

I got hired as a PLC programmer with no experience really. I did several Siemens courses before I started.

After about 6 years on the job, I went back for a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering in the US.

My thesis was well received and I was recommended to further develop it in the a PhD. Currently I am in the research stages of a PhD in General Engineering.

All in all, I still work for the same company that I started for after my Bachelors. The other guys that have a similar position as I, have an associates degree and one only has a vocational degree.

 

[gclshortt]

Some of the biggest gains in my education has come from people that are using the equipment or information.
Input from operators is very valuable.
What would you like to see...
What would make this easier for you...
How do you see this working...

Just a thought on education.

 

[James Mcquade]

B.S. Electrical Technology.
Started out as industrial maintenance, then panel builder, panel designer,
plc programmer, quotations, electrical & mechanical designer, purchasing manager, documentation control, inventory control, installations and trouble shooting, cad / can programmer, program / project manager, systems engineer, controls engineer, and now I'm in the ISIT department doing computer work and plc programming and wonderware.

I've programmed Omron, AB - slc 100 to plc5, slc500, and now 5000, ge, minerak, wago, Mitsubishi.

regards,
james

 

[boneless]

Some of the biggest gains in my education has come from people that are using the equipment or information.
Input from operators is very valuable.
What would you like to see...
What would make this easier for you...
How do you see this working...

Just a thought on education.

Without a doubt! I have learned the most from our service techs and the end-users. But I think my education has shown me how to look for information and how to apply it (together with basic skills).

 

[bdoutney]

Associates degree in Electrical construction and maintenance, worked a few years in commercial/industrial non PLC controls
Master electricians license, worked on Commercial fire alarms. 20 years in newspaper printing plant, started playing around with PLC's, HMI's 10 years ago which turned in to a full time job here just doing that every day. I feel Like I got a college degree from this site. Even though we have tech support contracts I look here first when I have a problem. Its much less hassle. Phil should be charging big companies like mine more.

 

[Tom Jenkins]

BS in mechanical engineering, got involved in wastewater process equipment in the late 70's. Self taught in water and wastewater processes, electrical and motor controls, programming, instrumentation, pumps and blowers. Sold my business and I'm now semi-retired, doing consulting, writing, and teaching. I'm an adjunct at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Truly a long and winding road with never a dull moment. Still, the best lessons in engineering were the ones I learned as a kid back on the farm. There is no substitute for grit and curiosity.