Engineering: Jobs Landed

I discovered my job online, but what made the difference in getting it was that I connected with a former employee on LinkedIn who just happened to share a network with me from my 19 years in Japan.  

What I love most about the work that I do at Asahi Kasei Plastics is the challenge of creating messages and strategies that stick.  My sales background has been useful in this task, as I am constantly evaluating our marketing efforts to better understand what messages are getting attention and ultimately driving sales.  

I am also leading a website redevelopment project that incorporates strategies to help current and prospective clients to more easily connect and engage with our organization.  Our website changes also include a broader more comprehensive strategy with social media efforts as well.

Last but not least, it has been a lot of fun to work at a multicultural company.  Though my Japanese was a little rusty on my initial arrival to the company, it has improved considerably over a very short amount of time.  My latest adventures in language entail learning Spanish to better support and serve the growth we are seeing in our Latin American markets.

Altair Engineering is a company specializing in software and technology for business innovation, and our headquarters are in Troy, Michigan. I started at Altair in June 2010 as an intern and then after I graduated from OU in April 2011, I became a full time employee with the title of Marketing Specialist.

My role as Marketing Specialist allows me to work on many different tasks throughout the year with my great colleagues. I currently run all of our corporate social media pages, plan and lead various events, work one on one with account managers on marketing collateral they need for customers and prospects, work with our inside sales team, and also work with corporate marketing on various initiatives to help gain new business and promote new products. We have a great culture here at Altair which really makes my job even more enjoyable!

My work currently entails development of Fire Suppression Systems for a quarter million square foot Veterans Hospital in New Orleans using Autodesk REVIT, as well as Mechanical Systems documentation and coordination on several existing structures within the City of Detroit.  Being part of a dynamic MEP firm is one component architectural training prepared me for, and is an integral part of understanding complete building systems.  I am delighted to be working back in downtown, as it allows even greater career opportunities while I complete my M.Arch Thesis on Sustainable Skyscrapers.  The City contains many dense networks for aspiring professionals and artisans, helping to define a unique identity that is respected worldwide.  Living and working in the Motor City (without a motorized vehicle, shock to life!!) has offered me a chance to be a driving force in my field rather than being just another face in the crowd.  It is here that I, and many others like me, are free to design/create/live upon a shifting urban canvas, one that we directly forge.

Orbital Engineering Inc. is a multidiscipline engineering company, specializing in various aspects of consultation and engineering design for the power and industrial industries.  As a project leader/manager, I assist in the facilitation of engineering, design, development and modification of construction projects to support business efforts of the organization.  I produce proposals and bids to strategically market clients for growth, and to highlight the firm’s expertise to various business entities.  The implementation of installation programs is a vital and integral component for the construction of our projects.  It is also my/our goal and ability to submit various responsibilities to local workforces with few or no complications. I am currently a graduate student in the Business School at Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan.  I am in my final semester of receiving a Master of Business Administration (MBA), with an emphasis in Finance & Management.  My projected graduation date is December 2011.

I work on a variety of projects designing and developing usable interfaces for both Web and software applications.  Because I work at a small company I tend to do a lot of different things, whether it is making a 16x16 pixel icon, a full screen splash, designing a Web page or coding the HTML and JavaScript of an application.  Being at a research company is pretty neat because it gives me a chance to work on things that aren't out there in the market and work on new and exciting technology.

As a Vision System Engineer, I install, setup, and support various industry standard vision systems for error proofing, traceability, identification, and robot guidance.

OHM offers many services within the engineering and architecture fields.  I am a specialist in replacing urban infrastructure for communities.  We design and execute construction contracts on behalf of our clients by representing the interests of residents and agencies affected by the project.  The team members and I provide construction advice to our clients, and ensure compliance with the standards, plans, and specifications, while also administering the details of the contract such as progress payments, change orders, and documentation.