1. Employment Profile: What exactly does a NDE Technician do? |
|
 What field is your job in?
Construction in refineries
|
|
What is your job title?
NDE Technician
|
|
Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)
We construct new vessels or tanks for refineries all over the U.S.A., and some over seas plants. We also do maintenance on existing vessels inside of refineries. There are approximately 500 field employees.
|
|
How long have you been employed in this position?
6 years
|
|
How many hours do you work a week on average?
50
|
|
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I am in charge of data entry, filing, reviewing x-ray film shot of the welds, visually inspecting welds, handling all in process and completion testing on the welds to insure that there are no indications present to compromise the weld. I work side by side with the weld supervisors, superintendants, welders and bullgangers.
|
|
What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
65000
|
|
What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
70000
|
|
Please
list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation,
sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
401K
|
|
Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
Yes, very much so
|
|
|
2. Work environment! |
|
Does
your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this
something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
I mostly work alone on paperwork and film grading and some weld testing. I am most usually the only female on the job, as this is a male dominated industry. When I am testing or in the field inspecting I am surrounded by most of the crew I work with. I sometimes have an assistant with me when it comes time to start testing the welds. I really enjoy working with other people who are in different crafts/trades. You can learn so much more that way. I absolutely love my job and enjoy working with a variety of people.
|
|
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes
|
|
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
|
|
Describe
your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what
you like/dislike about working in it
We do most of our work outside in the elements. I do have an office that I am in for a little while in the mornings reviewing film and then again in the afternoon setting up xray scheduling and doing weld mapping. I really like working outside, except it can really take its toll on the body working in extreme hot or cold. But I would rather do that than be couped up in an office all day long.
|
|
Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
-
2 Income
-
6 Work Environment - co-workers
-
5 Work Environment - supervisors
-
1 Benefits
-
3 Hours
-
7 Level of responsibility
-
4 The actual "work" you do at your job
-
8 Job Title
|
|
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours? |
|
If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
My job recommends a background in welding. You have to be able to understand the different metals and be able to correct a welder when it is being done wrong. So I would suggest going to welding school and then enroll in an NDE class at a local college or find a company that offers on the job training.
|
|
What
skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a
position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social
skills, organization skills, technical skills)
There are many skills that are needed in my field. Typing and computer skills are a must, for tracking all data. Communication skills, organizational skills, not being afraid of heights, a willingness to learn, working long hours out in the elements, being on a tight deadline, ability to prioritize, ability to work independently as well as working well with others, ability to supervise.
|
|
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes, there are several levels to be obtained. You have to want to learn all of the aspects of the job.
|
|
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
I would suggest going to welding school and then work as a welder for at least 6 months to a year to get a better understanding of the different types of welding and metals. Then I would suggest taking a basic NDE course to get prepared for starting in the field. Next I would tell them to research many different construction companies and find one that offers on the job training, so that they could obtain the hours that are needed to get themselves to the next level of training.
|
|
In order to view the remaining sections of this questionnaire please
SIGN IN
or
REGISTER HERE
or 
|
