Northwest Readers SHARE A STORY
After graduation , I first started my professional career as an engineer at a composite company , a business dealing with variety of industries , including aerospace . One of my earliest projects , which I still remember to this day , involved meeting and designing fixtures for a customer located in Mexico . The project was inspiring , but here ’ s the kicker : translating our English training manual into Spanish ! Let ’ s say my Spanish was , well , rusty at best ! Naturally , I turned to my former high school Spanish teacher and hired her as my professional translator . I was proud of the outcome , and this taught me the importance of adaptability in the professional field .
In 2008 , amidst economic challenges , the company underwent a sale . Following this , I relocated to Wichita , Kansas , where I joined one of my former clients in the aviation sector . This role granted me access to their OEM hangars , where I witnessed firsthand the assembly of jets and aircraft , and the air hummed with the symphony of aircraft assembly . Witnessing the meticulous craftsmanship and intricate processes involved in piecing together jets and aircraft , I developed a deep fascination with the aviation industry .
While in Wichita , my wife and I welcomed our first daughter , prompting our decision to return to Missouri to be closer to family . I subsequently transitioned to a role at an aluminum and magnesium die casting plant , where I gained valuable experience : project engineering , launch engineer , and operations manager .
Fortuitously , a position at Orscheln Products emerged , offering a chance to re-enter the aerospace industry as a product engineer .
APRIL | MAY 2024 ISSUE NO . 38 55