What is your name and job title?

Derek Puterbaugh; Industrical Electrician

Describe job requirements and tools you are required to have:

Troubleshoot and repair machine tools and facilities. Multimeter, Oscilliscope, battery and pneumatic tools, and numerous hand tools

What kind of experience do you have (training, on the job, military)? How much would you recommend others have?

OJT 12 years and counting. Every day is training always learning with this job. Numerous OEM training classes and Associate’s Degree in Industrial Electronics.

What made you decide to enter your particular field of work?

Looked challenging and a job I can use my head and work with my hands. Diverse job.

What kind of education is required or would you suggest?

At least 2 year degree.

How long did your trade education take to accomplish? Is continuing education required?

4 year apprenticeship. Yes continuing education is extremely valuable and necessary.

Are there special skills one needs to enter your field of work?

You need to be a genius.

Do you remember your first day on the job? Describe it for us.

Yes, I had to move furniture and paint the floor.

Briefly describe your typical day – hours worked, challenges, etc.

Putting up with people’s BS. Troubleshooting machine tools to find either mechanical, electrical, or CNC problems. Doing repair to machine. I usually work 8 to 10 hours a day 6-7 days a week.

What was the best advice you received about your job and trade?

Knowing where to get information is key.

What advice would you give to someone interested in entering your trade?

Have patience with yourself you don’t learn everything in a day. Take copious notes and organize them well.

What is the best thing about your job or what do you like the most?

Almost always something different. Can be my own engineer.