Looking For A Job- chicago northwest suburbs

[3axisrookie]

Hi all. Looking for a job in a small shop where I could really be put to work and learn.

Currently in school for aas in cnc programming. Not going full time anymore, but will need to be 1st shift since I have class a few nights a week.

I live in waukegan area but willing to travel a decent amount in any direction. Gurnee, zion, libertyville, vernon hills, skokie, niles, wheeling, mt prospect, northbrook, etc are all good areas for me.

I have a little resume that I made up. I would be greatfull if any shop owners would be willing to take a look at it and tell me how to improve it.

Thanks.

[3axisrookie]

You guys can erase this thread. This place probably wasn't the best place to look for a job. But was easy to find work. Sent out my resume to about 5 shops, 2 called me back right away, and was hired immediately. Cool shop, nice people, no production, and learning plenty. Beyond satisfied for first machinist job.

[3axisrookie]

Actually, I lied. That job sucked. Was really naive and didn't talk about pay first. Assumed the pay would be decent. Ended up getting $9. Of course I quit.

Looked for the following 4 weeks for work in cnc. Had plenty of interviews and call backs, but all offering terrible money. Between $10 and $12. That's almost insulting to have to work for that kind of money to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Am I just having bad luck? Or do most people have to start at that low of pay at first? It really looks like these shop owners see someone in their 20's, fresh out of learning cnc in school, but with no work experience, and treats them as someone that never heard of cnc before.

When I fresh out of high school I worked a few manufacturing jobs for $11 to $12.50 starting range. But these were jobs that anyone can learn in a few minutes. Now after almost 2 years of school I have learned so much and pay being offered isn't reflecting it. Very frustrating.

[jalessi]

Welcome to the Zone

We are almost nabors, by the way.


Jeff...

[Mike Stevenson]

3axisrookie,

Craigslist. Keep looking. Those pay rates are too low in my opinion.

Best of luck

[Palerider]

If you want the right money you need job shop experience to get it.
I learned more in the first year at my first job shop (that kept me) than I thought possible (after a couple years in college machining classes even.)
Luckily, I didn't get fired (for the second time.)

The trick is to get into a place where the boss isn't a major a****** and is doing the kind of work you are interested in.

You should set up those machines day in, day out. You should program every day parts that must be sold, for not much income...why?
It's cheap for you.

What did the old (Excellent) toolmaker tell me? He has come wizened on a wave of scrap, but it's not about doing it wrong. Today it's about time. It is horrifically expensive to train someone to be a good machinist. What you may take a day to do the guy with the gray hair will knock out in an hour.

If you have 2-3 years in a busy job shop on pick one or more: Manual mills, Lathes, EDMs, Grinders, Screw Machines, Shapers,Hones, Heavy bench work, or blacksmithing (not kidding) my post does not apply.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

[mmc005]

What classes did you take while in school? Do you have any experience in materials and speeds and feeds? Can you program by hand at the machine? When someone says they went to school for CNC's I automatically think that they only worked on computers and have no hands on experience in the machining field.
So is $12.00/hr good to start? That depends on your experience in the machining field. $12.00/hr is better than $0.00/hr. I think that is low pay for your area, but it all depends on supply and demand. Find a shop that takes the kind of jobs that your interested in working on and go from there, sometimes you have to suck it up to get your foot in the door, then prove what your worth to them. Getting into a small shop is better because your not just a number, your going to be reviewed on your skill levels.
Good luck in your search.
Dave

[3axisrookie]

We ran actual machines. Setting tools, graphing, offsets, setting up parts by indicating the vise or clamping part right to the table. I know g code also, macros, sub programs, loops, rotation, scaling, etc. Can draw in 2d in autocad, or 3d in something like inventor. Also took a couple of manual machining classes. Definitely not a speeds and feeds or metal expert, but know the formula, have the cutting speed chart from the machinery handbook, and know common sense that something like aluminum is much easier to cut than steel.

Almost finished with a 2 year associate degree, so took a decent amount of classes. Only have mastercam left to take for the most part. Basically if I went on an interview and the boss handed me a blueprint and pointed me at a haas or fanuc mill, he would end up with a part. I know I wouldn't make it the fastest, and probably not the most efficient way, but would make it. And have enough knowledge of how cnc works to make it as accurate as it needs to be.

Thanks for the replies. I knew those pay rates were too little. Just wanted to hear it from someone that's been working in cnc for a while.

[3axisrookie]

We ran actual machines. Setting tools, graphing, offsets, setting up parts by indicating the vise or clamping part right to the table. I know g code also, macros, sub programs, loops, rotation, scaling, etc. Can draw in 2d in autocad, or 3d in something like inventor. Also took a couple of manual machining classes. Definitely not a speeds and feeds or metal expert, but know the formula, have the cutting speed chart from the machinery handbook, and know common sense that something like aluminum is much easier to cut than steel.

Almost finished with a 2 year associate degree, so took a decent amount of classes. Only have mastercam left to take for the most part. Basically if I went on an interview and the boss handed me a blueprint and pointed me at a haas or fanuc mill, he would end up with a part. I know I wouldn't make it the fastest, and probably not the most efficient way, but would make it. And have enough knowledge of how cnc works to make it as accurate as it needs to be.

Thanks for the replies. I knew those pay rates were too little. Just wanted to hear it from someone that's been working in cnc for a while.