2 answers
julian
Student
Oak Hills, CA
1
Question
Updated
321 views
i want to know how i can get into a career about robotics
what makes you interested in the job you are doing,what classes would you recommend to take,did you have any trouble getting into this career,did you earn more money if you learn a language,what is the best use for a portfolio,did you have a career path,what made you do this career,what skills prepared you for this job,did you have any experience?,when did you start,what were the steps that you took in order to get the job,how busy or stressful is your job,what are some health benefits,is over time available and how newcomer friendly is the job.
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2 answers
Marc Bradburry II
Manager/Consultant
14
Answers
Henrietta, TX
Updated
Marc’s Answer
My experience from an Industrial Automation perspective is that I love being around automated equipment simply because it feels like being in an episode of How It's Made. Watching the sequence play out from the PLC and the robots gracefully moving always just amazed me, that and if given the choice to deal with a robot or a person, I'd pick a robot most days. It is also a career that is in high demand and needs motivated people to help grow this technology.
Depending on whether you want to build and program robots or service and maintain them in the field kind of differs in the requirements of knowledge however I will say that the fastest way to get your hands dirty is getting into industrial automation maintenance. There is such a high demand that you can get your foot in the door with a basic electrical maintenance certificate, or a general mechanical maintenance for that matter. Very high demand for automation people in places like Brick Manufacturing Plants, Automated Recycling Plants, General Local/Medium sized manufacturing plants. I've known many people to leave plants to work their dream jobs at Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, Schmalz, etc. after learning and getting experience in an automated plant.
I can't really talk to the software engineering part of robotics as I am just starting in that myself, but I know my passion started with seeing them in action and then wanting to be part of that technology. It started with me as an operator almost a decade ago and realizing no one really wanted to understand the robots. I hit YouTube university and started asking questions and offering suggestions, next thing I knew I was over my department. I started taking basic electrical and PLC classes and further expanding my knowledge with automation. Now I consult for companies trying to improve and sometimes just understand their automation processes and robots still scare the crud out of people. Just about every plant I visit is looking for a robotics person or someone willing to learn it.
I would also look into your local vocational school or community college for their automation certificates and what jobs they have posted or are aware of. I know when I was over a plant, we were trying to recruit from those schools and offer to pay for their certificates while they worked for us.
Depending on whether you want to build and program robots or service and maintain them in the field kind of differs in the requirements of knowledge however I will say that the fastest way to get your hands dirty is getting into industrial automation maintenance. There is such a high demand that you can get your foot in the door with a basic electrical maintenance certificate, or a general mechanical maintenance for that matter. Very high demand for automation people in places like Brick Manufacturing Plants, Automated Recycling Plants, General Local/Medium sized manufacturing plants. I've known many people to leave plants to work their dream jobs at Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, Schmalz, etc. after learning and getting experience in an automated plant.
I can't really talk to the software engineering part of robotics as I am just starting in that myself, but I know my passion started with seeing them in action and then wanting to be part of that technology. It started with me as an operator almost a decade ago and realizing no one really wanted to understand the robots. I hit YouTube university and started asking questions and offering suggestions, next thing I knew I was over my department. I started taking basic electrical and PLC classes and further expanding my knowledge with automation. Now I consult for companies trying to improve and sometimes just understand their automation processes and robots still scare the crud out of people. Just about every plant I visit is looking for a robotics person or someone willing to learn it.
I would also look into your local vocational school or community college for their automation certificates and what jobs they have posted or are aware of. I know when I was over a plant, we were trying to recruit from those schools and offer to pay for their certificates while they worked for us.
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
julian
Soumya Bandyopadhyay
Mechanical Engineer
54
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Soumya’s Answer
Thanks for this detailed question; I am including a specific response to all questions:
what makes you interested in the job you are doing: the ability to create and innovate products
what classes would you recommend to take: In school, Maths (Calculus, Algebra), Physics, Coding; in college depends on major.
did you have any trouble getting into this career: No
did you earn more money if you learn a language: Software skills (Python, C++) essential for the job; payment depends on years of experience
what is the best use for a portfolio: To showcase your previous experiences, your overall journey, and transferable skills to your current role
did you have a career path: Yes (ongoing currently)
what made you do this career: The passion to innovate and create products to improve quality of life.
what skills prepared you for this job: I am a ME Major, in that context: skills were design for manufacturing, assembly, prototyping and engineering analysis
did you have any experience? Capstone project in designing a functional prosthetic hand for 7 - 14 year old children.
when did you start: Aug. 2022
what were the steps that you took in order to get the job: Apply for a period of ~ 6 months to your desired role, connect to individuals in companies
how busy or stressful is your job: 8 - 10 hrs of work every day
what are some health benefits: This is similar to many other roles, health insurance with multiple coverage plans
is over time available: Depends on the role and organization
how newcomer friendly is the job: Very much, structured training is even available for certain specific roles.
what makes you interested in the job you are doing: the ability to create and innovate products
what classes would you recommend to take: In school, Maths (Calculus, Algebra), Physics, Coding; in college depends on major.
did you have any trouble getting into this career: No
did you earn more money if you learn a language: Software skills (Python, C++) essential for the job; payment depends on years of experience
what is the best use for a portfolio: To showcase your previous experiences, your overall journey, and transferable skills to your current role
did you have a career path: Yes (ongoing currently)
what made you do this career: The passion to innovate and create products to improve quality of life.
what skills prepared you for this job: I am a ME Major, in that context: skills were design for manufacturing, assembly, prototyping and engineering analysis
did you have any experience? Capstone project in designing a functional prosthetic hand for 7 - 14 year old children.
when did you start: Aug. 2022
what were the steps that you took in order to get the job: Apply for a period of ~ 6 months to your desired role, connect to individuals in companies
how busy or stressful is your job: 8 - 10 hrs of work every day
what are some health benefits: This is similar to many other roles, health insurance with multiple coverage plans
is over time available: Depends on the role and organization
how newcomer friendly is the job: Very much, structured training is even available for certain specific roles.