Whether you are an Instrumentation Technician/Apprentice, Operator, or Electrician, these 6 tips will set you up for success. They are easy to implement but will improve your skills and make you stand out as a top Instrumentation Technician.
Treat Operators Well!
Operators can be your best friend when working in instrumentation. You’ll be dealing with these operators typically daily so it’s always good to build rapport with them. They often are a key component in troubleshooting. They should know the process inside and out and are a great source of knowledge if you have questions. For example, things typically just don’t break for no reason in the field. It is usually caused by a change in the process. They will be able to tell you what has changed since the equipment stopped working. This often is a clue that should help you solve the issue.
Think Outside the Box!
Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. The Instrumentation field is full of unique and difficult problems that don’t always have an easy answer. You won’t always have that key spare part you need or that one piece of material needed to start the job. This is when it’s best to just step back and make a plan with everyone involved. You’ll be surprised what you can come up with as a team. Maybe you can momentarily steal a part from somewhere else or maybe you can start the job without the missing materials.
Focus on Your Strengths!
It’s very important to understand that you’ll never know everything about instrumentation. The field is just so vast. It wouldn’t be beneficial to try to learn everything anyway. The best approach is to find what you’re good at and focus on getting better at it. Some people excel more with construction jobs while others might prefer troubleshooting maintenance kind of jobs. It’s all about just recognizing your strengths.
Work Well Under Pressure!
It’s very important to learn how to effectively manage job pressure. This comes from many different sources whether it be due to short staffing, time-critical jobs, or even panicky supervisors demanding the job to be finished now. This often leads to mistakes being made as well as injury. This is never acceptable. It is best to just step back and have a chat with a supervisor if you are ever feeling pressured while doing a job. Don’t be afraid to take your time. The job takes what it takes and is not putting your life or others at risk.
Network!
The field of instrumentation is very small. Chances are you’ll work with a lot of the same guys throughout your career. You’ll want to make sure to network as much as you can. Want to start a career in a different industry or want a great recommendation? Having good connections will make your life easier. You’ll never have a hard time getting a job if you have developed a good reputation amongst your peers.
Don’t Stop Learning!
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you are always learning. You’ll never know everything but it is important to keep up to date as technology advances. This can be done by reading articles, and books or listening to podcasts. Make sure you take time to go through the basics often as well. We have a whole series dedicated to going over basic concepts.
