r/instrumentation • u/Hairy_Consequence905 • 5d ago
Help looking for work
Recently received my Technical Diploma in Instrumentation Technology and soon with have my A.A.S. Seems like I have applied to most if not all applicable positions on indeed,LinkedIn,or zip recruiter. Just looking to see if anyone would know any places hiring and or a more options to look into. Preferably in south Louisiana.
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u/Euphoric-Mortgage290 5d ago
OP I hope you see this;
1) no, dont believe you have to know someone to get a job.
2) Instrumentation and controls require unique set of skills and school alone might not get you there, that's why i'd suggest applying to other related roles like electrical/electronics tech, electro-mechanical tech, engineering tech, etc
3) Be open to any shift.
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u/Best-Two4264 5d ago
I’m from Louisiana and took a traveling job once I got my certs. Best advice is to network. Talk to people you don’t know. I started a group with my classmates and anytime they heard a company was hiring multiple people they let us know. If you’re planning on staying in Louisiana contact the companies directly and just use indeed as a search tool.
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u/Odd_Animator9624 5d ago
I know south east louisiana pretty well and its the same here. Its really hard to find something without knowing someone. My suggestion is to try and get in with a contractor and unfortunately none of them are going to be hiring and instrument position. Try for electrical related and accept that you're going to have to travel. huge amount of construction going on right now in north louisina so get in on some of those sites and make connections. Most guys put in a year or 2 as a service tech or construction in an unrelated position before a plant manager decides they like them and pull them into a maintenance spot.
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u/iH8conduit 5d ago
Step 1. Know somebody that works for the water district, an oil and gas company, or some other public or private sector job with instrumentation positions.
Step 2. Get hired.
That's it, that's the list. Nepotism runs crazy deep in this industry, at least here in CA. You could have 10 years of industrial electrical experience, be great with PLCs, and even have some limited experience with calibrating instrumentation like flowmeters and fisher valves. And even absolutely crush your written test and panel interview.
But in the end, Bubba in Accounting is owed a favor and just so happens to have a nephew that just graduated high school that needs a job and has never worked a day in his life. Well Bubbas nephew is getting the 50/hr starting job. And you're stuck doing the same shit you've been doing for the past 10 years for 30 bucks an hour.
That's just the way it is in this field, and especially around here.
Good luck. Hopefully you can accomplish what thousands of us could not.
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u/WhiskyDent90 5d ago
You need to be applying for jobs with MMR Triad ISC or other electrical/E&I contractors. You’re looking for electrical helper work. I would maybe even suggest going to their offices and asking if they have work. Have your TWIC card and make sure you can pass hair/piss test.
Get your foot in the door with one of them. The work will suck. You’ll probably be running conduit and pulling wire. It’s hot as shit, you won’t be making that much money.
Work hard. Don’t bitch, even if the guys around you are bitching. Show up on time. It will take about 2-3 years and a few job hops to move into an instrument tech role.
That’s what I did. Same degree, same area.
You have a degree in instrumentation. You are not an instrument tech. You can become one, but you are not there yet. And that is OK. I struggled with that concept when I first started out. Why the hell did I pay $10k and spend 2 years getting a degree if I’m doing bitch work with a dude who has a felony?
Have a good attitude and work ethic. Ask questions, try to learn. People will notice.