Considering a career in Instrumentation — looking for honest advice
I’m seriously considering getting into instrumentation and would like to hear from people who actually work in the field. I currently have some manufacturing/production experience, and I’m looking for a career where I can build on that experience, increase my income, and have room to grow.
I’d like to know what I should realistically expect if I pursue instrumentation:
• What does a typical day/shift look like?
• What are the biggest pros and cons?
• How difficult is the work?
• How physically demanding is it?
• What education, certifications, or training would you recommend?
• How long does it realistically take to become job-ready?
• What can someone expect to make starting out vs. after several years?
• What industries are the best to work in?
• How much troubleshooting/electrical/programming knowledge is involved?
• Is there good long-term career growth?
• For anyone who started in manufacturing/production, how transferable was that experience?
I’m located in Michigan and am currently looking at instrumentation programs, but I want to get a better understanding of the actual career before committing to school.
If you’re an instrumentation technician, controls technician, I&C technician, or work in a related field, I’d really appreciate your honest opinion. What do you wish you knew before getting into the field?
That sounds like a real person trying to make a career decision, rather than someone just asking Google-level questions. It should also encourage people to tell you about pay, schooling, daily work, difficulty, and whether it’s actually worth pursuing.