Machining and Tool & Die Making is what I have spent most of my career doing. There is something to be said for being able to turn a raw piece of material into a complex finished part. Through all my roles in the machine shop environment, I have identified a few soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills to have mastered if you want to be a great machinist.

The key soft skills for machining are punctuality, communication, personal sense of responsibility, attitude, enthusiasm, problem solving, critical thinking, decision making and working independently and as a team. Some of the key hard skills are following the system, getting into a routine, and developing a rhythm. Machining jobs use math, reasoning ability, computer skills, and mechanical / technical skills.

Here are a few steps to career success that I encourage you to consider as part of your machining career:

1. Get a Technical Degree – A solid educational foundation is a critical building block; you will make a lot more money in your career if you follow through with a Technical College education.

2. Serve an Apprenticeship – This is an excellent way to learn the skills of the trade and climb the pay scale also. It also will ensure that you are viewed as a professional in your career. By finishing an apprenticeship and becoming a journeyman, you will be put in a position to make a good wage for the rest of your career.

3. Never Stop Learning – Enroll in at least two specialized classes per year. It is an excellent way to build a great resume also, as it shows future employers that you are a dedicated career professional.

4. Become Proficient in Working with Others – This is the most important factor of the six steps. You will have more opportunities presented to you if you can work with everyone effectively.

5. Gain the Ability to Turn Manufacturing Issues into Career Opportunities - Some may look away from the major issues that hinder the shop. These are the challenges that build a great resume, so ask your boss how you can help fix the major issues they encounter throughout the shop.