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Career in the Metal Industry: How I Found My Way

August 30, 2008

Hey everyone, today I want to share some personal insights into my life. I've been working in the metal industry as a machining technician for a year now – and it all came about through a series of coincidences and a few wrong decisions. Fortunately, these coincidences and decisions turned out to be advantageous in the end.

My educational path didn't go as planned. After completing my 9 years of compulsory schooling, I intended to spend another three years at a technical college. The profession I could have pursued afterward would have been a cook or a waiter – thankfully, that never happened.

I attended a very Catholic school that was a bit old-fashioned. If you don't follow the rules, you can quickly get expelled. During this time, I wasn't exactly in what you might call the most mature phase of my life, and I was expelled from school in the first year due to repeated incidents.

After that, I spent some time searching for a job or an apprenticeship. Since I didn't really know what I wanted to do, I applied in almost every field and worked as a temp for various companies. I tried everything from cooking/waiting to retail, carpentry, and metalworking. Aside from the cooking/waiting job, which I immediately dismissed, all the other professions were acceptable to me. I had no clear goal. I also had the idea of becoming a fitness trainer floating in my mind, but I actually planned to eventually start something in that area on the side.

The first call I received offering me a position was from a company that produces precise mechanical components using turning and milling machines. I accepted immediately for two reasons: First, because I enjoyed the temp work there the most, and second, because they were the first to call me. At that time, I would have said yes to anything. A few days later, I received two more offers, which I then declined.

Career in the Metal Industry

Thus, through a series of coincidences, I finally found my apprenticeship in the metal industry. I've been learning conventional turning and milling for a year, and I'll later move on to NC and CNC technology. I’m not mechanically inept, and I believe this is the right profession for me. I intend to continue my education in this field.

As mentioned earlier, I also want to expand my knowledge in fitness and nutrition and possibly start a side career in that area after completing my apprenticeship.


Clear Goals, Clear Steps: This Is What Comes Next

I started a school that didn't interest me and got expelled. I would have accepted any job, and I took the first one offered to me – coincidentally, it turned out to be the right decision this time.

However, it can't go on like this. Clear goals – clear steps.

I've found that lists and fixed routines help me make my life simpler and more focused. To achieve my goals, I need clear, measurable steps that I can easily follow.

My next big goals might sound a bit cheesy, but they are important to me: I want to successfully complete my apprenticeship, buy or build a house, get married, have children, and find time for my hobbies.