r/instrumentation

So I been at a combined cycle plant for going on 4 years now, I been averaging 150-170k a year so the money is great but this past year has been wearing on me. I usually average 60-80 work orders in my queue waiting to get looked at and it’s never ending, like knowing there is no light at the end of the tunnel is wearing on me. I’m at the point where I’m just on cruise control and not rushing one bit cause everything is an emergency and there’s always another issue to jump right on after I fix the current one.
I will admit it’s an older plant so things always break but is this the life of an IC&E guy?
The bright side of this is I’ve probably learned more in 4 years than an average guy due to how busy I am and my main goal is to move somewhere else so I know this is a plus but I’m just exhausted.

Hi folks,

Starting next year I plan to do an electrical apprenticeship (currently abroad for a year and only decided recently), and was wondering if anyone know what the process would be in regard to upskilling to E&I after I became fully qualified (preferably anyone familiar with the Irish process).

I know it's not going to take a full second apprenticeship, but I still want to get a rough idea of how long the process would take.

I already have a background in factory work hence my interest in getting that second qualification since I know E&I is highly regarded or even essential depending on the actual role.

Alternatively would anyone know if it's a similar process going from an E&I apprenticeship first and adding on the "standard" electrical trade after?

Any help would be appreciated since I'm still trying to figure out the detail of what's actually available in my home area/within a reasonable distance to my home :/

Hey everyone, I wanted to make this post because I’m honestly starting to feel stuck and figured this subreddit might have some people who’ve been through something similar or know what I might be doing wrong.

I graduated from River Parishes Community College in Gonzales, Louisiana in July of 2025 with an associate degree in Instrumentation and Electrical Technology. I finished with a 3.7 GPA and genuinely took the program seriously.

Since graduating, I’ve been applying to jobs related to:

• Instrumentation Technician
• I&E Technician
• Electrical Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Controls/Automation-related entry positions
• Plant operator positions that value instrumentation backgrounds

I’ve applied to contractors, plants, refineries, chemical companies, and industrial employers throughout Louisiana, especially around the Baton Rouge and River Parishes area. Unfortunately, I keep running into the same issue:

• either getting outright rejected,
• never hearing back,
• or being told they went with someone with more experience.

What’s frustrating is that a lot of these places say they’re desperate for skilled workers or new technicians, but it feels incredibly difficult to actually break into the field without already having years of experience.

I’m not expecting to immediately walk into a six-figure position or anything like that. I’m willing to learn, willing to work, willing to travel within reason, willing to start at the bottom, and genuinely want to build a long-term career in instrumentation/electrical work. I just need someone to give me a chance to get real industry experience.

So I wanted to ask:

• Is the current job market just rough right now for entry-level instrumentation techs?
• Should I focus more on contractors first instead of direct plant hires?
• Are there specific companies in Louisiana that are known for actually taking on newer techs?
• Is there something employers specifically look for that I may be missing?
• Are there job fairs, networking events, or recruiting pipelines I should know about?

Any advice, resume tips, company recommendations, or general guidance would seriously mean a lot right now. I’ve worked hard to get this degree and I genuinely want to make this career path work. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this.

Hello,

I come from a controls programming background but am in a new role where I have to learn more process and instrumentation.

I have been tasked with finding a meter to measure potable water into the site, and have been nudged toward trying to find one similar to a rosemount magmeter that we already have on site (measuring dirty water leaving site), in order to consolidate how many different types of spares we need to have around. I have also been nudged toward doing so second hand because it's hard to justify the price of the new instrumentation for what my manager wants out of this.

That particular one i have been asked to find a match to is a Rosemount 8705TSA040S1M0.

Do you have any tips or tricks on ways to find this particular model out there in the wild for cheap somewhere?

What parts of this part number are and are not meaningful for a 4 inch city water line of non-high pressure and ambient temp? does the "TSA" particularly matter here? the S1M0? I think the "1" is important due to the fact that that line is rated for 150 PSI. Is anything else here overkill? The "T" seems to mean Teflon which to me, someone new to this, sounds like overkill for water, but what do i know?

Ie, other than the line size encoded in the 040 spot in the model number, which of these codes can i "skimp" on in my filtering to find one that is totally fine for 4 inch moderate pressure low temperature water?

Or is this a "you'll just have to bite the bullet and pay full price for new from your rosemount rep because that is discontinued and rare" situation.

Thanks!

Hello, I’m an I/E tech and I’m having issues with a Micro Motion MVD 9739. We think we lost the Burst communication between MVD and the hart tri loop 333d.
The burst mode is set to Process variables/current.
Both the MVD and the tri loop have been changed.
The MVD is displaying correct density, flow, and Temp so the tube is not an issue.
The settings have been pulled and saved from both the MVD and the tri loop and dropped into the new units. They are direct replacements.
Using the Trex I can put the leads on the MDV hart comm terminals and find both addresses (0 for the MDV and 1 for the tri loop).
I am able to force a 4-20 output from the tri loop while hooked to the hart terminals on the MDV.
I can also hookup to the tri loop comm connection in the control panel (150’ away) and communicate to the MDV. However trying to simulate any of the variables from the MDV produces no output from the tri loop.
I hope this makes sense to someone. Any help is appreciated greatly.

Hello,

I need a digital flow meter for a 3/8”in clear line that I can clamp on externally (probably ultrasonic). Anyone know where I could find something like this?

Hello, long story short - I’m not able to find a way to get into an electrical apprenticeship program here in NW Washington. There is not much work available union or non union, and no info on when they would get me in their pre-apprenticeship. 

I was interested in doing instrumentation too since I see they offered it through the union after becoming an electrician but that seems it’s out of reach right now unless I moved to some random state. I’m a late career switcher 30 years old with no experience unfortunately so time isn’t on my side but I am thinking the 2 year program could get me into this new career. I see some people in this subreddit mentioned doing the program before, I'm planning to meet with program instructors later too.

1. Does BTC have a good program that can lead to a decent first instrumentation job after graduation? I see some old instructors no longer teach so maybe they left with their contacts.
2. Are there less entry level jobs nowadays?
3. Can you do instrumentation only, specialize the entire career or will that limit me and I should also do an electrical apprenticeship when it opens up? Or do that first? 
4. What are the hardest parts of the program or what to prepare for?

Thank you!

Are you tired of upper management and operators treating us like their little b**ches? I mean we are like 75% the reason why these plants even run. I feel like the first finger they point at is us

Hi there. I am currently a student at Perry Tech INST first year. And I am having trouble thinking that it’s worth the trouble if there is anyone who has gone and gotten a job from Perry I would like to know your experience. I am having trouble locking in and trying 100%. I have had a couple of rough years with passing of my Dad and other family members and the stricness of Perry is having an effect on my mental health. With no excusable asbense even if everyone is sick you still go in and the hours of being stuck at school is not helping. People say it goes by fast and that its worth it but I feel like it isn’t. But I am still just coasting along hoping for the best. Hopefully a good job so I can focus on what I truly want to do since I don’t plan on staying in INST for so long. Hopefully I can get some sense nocked into me as this week has kicked my ass. Thank you.

I have a degree in Geology from a good uni in Ontario, Canada. Unfortunately, because of pressing family issues that included deaths and drug overdoses, I was unable to do very well in Geology classes with barely passes in my 3rd and 4th years. Also, I did not enjoy it tbh. Fast forward, I have admissions from a college for two years programs in either Automation/Instrumentation tech or Mining Engineering Tech. My Geology degree will obviously give me the upper-hand if I were to go for Mining Engineering, however, I am equally interested in Automation/Instrumentation tech.

Anyone who is in either programs/field to provide me with insight on the difficulty in job prospects in Canada. I will be grateful for every insight by the community on here.

I am an instrumentation engineer. I worked as a Field Service Engineer in the cement and steel industries for more than 5 years. Later, I moved into sales for a trading company in the Middle East, and along the way, I lost touch with instrumentation.

Right now, I am at a point in my life where I feel stagnated and not learning anything new. I am not a very good salesman either.

Problem-solving is what truly interests me, and I have lost interest in my current job. I am only continuing because I have bills to pay.

I am requesting fellow Redditors with industry experience to suggest something new that I can learn to upskill myself and get a job in that field. I am ready to work hard and put in serious effort to learn something new. Please suggest something that could help me out.

About to graduate with an associates degree in Instrumentation. Currently working for a building automation / controls company in Texas. They sent me an offer letter for a technician role making $27 / hr + company truck , fully paid medical and dental insurance (not sure about spousal coverage) , decent 401k. Schedule is 4-10s or 5-8s.

How well of an offer is this? I know the hourly pay isn’t great for this field, but it’s a good setup for an entry level position at a company where I already know the system.

I have been looking into instrumentation and I find it really interesting. Im 32 looking for a career change and being a technician sounds amazing. I would essentially be starting from scratch. Located in new jersey, what should be my first steps that will get me into this field?

I have a question regarding the Rosemount 3051 differential pressure meter. When performing a lower trim using the communicator, should I simply close the low-pressure valve and open the equalizer to trim with equalized pressure? Or, should I vent it to the atmosphere and trim it at zero pressure? Additionally, when should I perform a zero trim versus a lower trim?