Injection molding (a different section of my workplace) makes these small plastic boxes that are (after completion) shipped everywhere across the country. The plastic piece goes inside the inner structure of a house specifically to do with holding electrical wires and such. My job is to take the fresh parts, inspect to make sure it's clean and perfectly shaped, add barcode stickers, add screws and drill four tiny flap anchors on each one, box six at a time, pallet the boxes, repeat.
CAREER
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$38,580
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-3% (decline)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Do
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
Other Job Titles Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers May Have
Inspector, Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector), Quality Inspector, Quality Technician
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I engage in evaluation of incoming shipments (coinage and packaging materials) to determine if they should be released to production for use. I determine acceptability of visual defects for in-process and finished goods. I attend Material Review Boards to work with the production managers to ensure all parties are using he same standards for products that went to the public.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
- Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
- Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
- Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (70%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Post-secondary certificate
Some college, no degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Chemical Engineering
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
I believe my current job is living proof that you don't need an outstanding amount of knowledge or degrees to 1. Take a chance and try something new or random, and 2. Set your own personal goals and limits you want per day, work hard, and achieve at your own pace. Knowledge is so arbitrary. Sure, someone can know every single president in order, but does that really matter? Even outside of school, I am still picking up many non-textbook skills daily—and getting paid to do so.
Excellent vision, ability to collect data and provide analysis on trends, potential efficiency gains, and root cause analysis.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Middle School Students
I would recommend an internship or shadowing individuals that work in the respective fields that they are interested in. Having the ability to work in an apprentice or training position will expose the person to the various job responsibilities and the required education.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
