Hello,

How do you start an occupation in Quality?

It seems that I cannot get anyone to hire me. I started working for a software firm in early 1999 that wanted to become ISO certified but after I began they put me into Software Testing. (They did not get certified.) Anyways, I got in some practice of CMM internal Audits and some Software Process Improvement but otherwise only did testing. Anyways, I left in December and have been trying to get into quality ever since.

If I go and get a ISO Auditor certificate would that help? I do not seem to have enough experience for many certifications. (I also do not have a college degree.)

Any suggestions? Any thoughts about getting in the field?

Kimberly
:bigwave:

I guess I should include that I am not only interested in Software Production but would really like a chance in other industries as well.

Kimberly

Kimberly - most people dont choose quality, quality chooses you :vfunny:

Seriously though what attracts you to this profession ?

It would certianly not hurt if you were to take and complete the course succesfuly. Do you have any experience in Quality Systems at all, have you learned the ISO standard and do you understand it? Just a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you jump right into a class. Also look to join your local ASQ and start networking and going to the meetings.

Originally posted by krchick
Hello,

How do you start an occupation in Quality?

It seems that I cannot get anyone to hire me. I started working for a software firm in early 1999 that wanted to become ISO certified but after I began they put me into Software Testing. (They did not get certified.) Anyways, I got in some practice of CMM internal Audits and some Software Process Improvement but otherwise only did testing. Anyways, I left in December and have been trying to get into quality ever since.

If I go and get a ISO Auditor certificate would that help? I do not seem to have enough experience for many certifications. (I also do not have a college degree.)

Any suggestions? Any thoughts about getting in the field?

Kimberly
:bigwave:

Hello Kimberly,

ISO certification is rarely sought in software firms. If you can find companies truly using the CMM, you may have a better chance of being hired to do real Quality.

One place to find them is through the SPIN network (http://www.sei.cmu.edu/collaborating/spins/spins.html) , although I see that there is only one remaining in Germany now, in Nürnberg.

I also know that the lack of a degree is a big obstacle in Germany (as it is here in France as well). much more than in the US.

Mfg,
Bruce

Willkommen zum Cove forum, Kimberly

Before I started in the quality profession, I worked as an Industrial Engineer, then a Plant Manager. It is as M. Greenway says, often the position chooses you. There is a need for someone to take responsibility for quality initiatives and you just have to be the one most knowlegable or willing to be trained.

With so many companies trying to meet the deadline to transition from ISO 9000:1994 to the new ISO 9001:2000 Standard, there is a strong need for people to assist in this effort. Knowing the ISO Standard and how to implement it effectively is what it takes.

Like ISO Guy said, "It would certainly not hurt if you were to take and complete the (ISO Auditor) course successfully". Attending seminars and taking courses related to implementing ISO 9001:2000 will also provide you with opportunities to network with people of like interest and may open up some opportunities. You will meet people from different industries and can get a better idea of what you want to go for.

Many people have started out as quality control inspectors and worked their way around into other areas within the quality profession.

Good Luck and keep involved with discussions here. You'll learn a lot.

Best Regards,
Hank Fowler

Kimberly,

I don't know if it would work for you, but I started by working for a registrar where I learned the various standards , accreditation schemes, and other useful bits. I landed a quality manager position based on this. I wouldn't say that this is a common occurrance, but it was successful for me. It might get your foot in the door.

HFowler said:
Many people have started out as quality control inspectors and worked their way around into other areas within the quality profession.
Good Luck and keep involved with discussions here. You'll learn a lot.
Best Regards,
Hank Fowler

1. Inspector
2. Chief Inspector
3. Quality Control Supervisor
4. Quality Control Manager
5. Management Representative
6. Quality Assurance Manager (And none of you smart ---es ask me the difference):vfunny:

Ancillary Duties: Safety Committee Member, Plant Safety Officer, Safety Manager, Environmental Compliance Manager ( don't laugh, Randy-it pays the bills)

Wherever you start, demonstrate an eagerness to participate in any group. Volunteer to take on more responsibilities. After awhile, they look to you because you will get it done. Good Luck

I forgot this: I am also a non-degreed professional:p

:ko: :smokin:

My advice, FWIW, is that at the beggining of your career, go for a line job. ( and NOT for an ivory tower job)

Wherever you start, demonstrate an eagerness to participate in any group. Volunteer to take on more responsibilities. After awhile, they look to you because you will get it done. Good Luck
and if you can earn a few $$ for the company, the rise may be faster!

That is if you want to continue working for others all your life. However, after gaining the experience/expertise, you will have a lot of choices...

----
Say, energy, you could retire as a consultant!:vfunny:
:bigwave:

Start by thinking how all of your past jobs related to quality (even your part time ones). Think of all the jobs that you have had and the experinces you have. Join ASQ (for the info. and certification). Think about going back to school and get some certificates (TQM, Lean Enterprise, SPC would be a good ones). Attended seminars as you can afford them. Lead Auditor training would also be good if you want to audit or manage the Quality Management System.
Experience and Training are the key. Good Luck!!!!

I want to say thanks to everyone for your responses.

I never went looking at Quality for a career, I actually was going to the university before I moved to Germany. After coming to Germany a job was offered to me and decided to try. I thought try it, you have nothing better to do since I did not know german to go to the Universities here. Well needless to say, I found that I really like quality and processes.

I have not really found anything compariable to the ASQ here. I also do not know if the ASQ certificates would be recognized here so I have not search much into their organization. Although the things I have considered so far is a Green Belt Six Sigma training or ISO 9000 Auditor.

Once again thanks to everyone, I hope to get a valuable certificate in the next few months.

Kimberly

Atul Khandekar said:

Say, energy, you could retire as a consultant!:vfunny:
:bigwave:

Never happen. Without having some of those stories that begin with "When I was in College.......", I'm dead in the water.:vfunny:
It's O.K. I hope to be healthy enough to tramp the river and streams, doing what I love the most. Thanks for considering me, though. When I look at the talent here in the Cove, it's an honor just to be allowed to post!:rolleyes:

:ko: :smokin:

I was working as an administrator for a warranty company. Luckily ( for me) they'd lost their auditor and my boss put m,e forward for some extra-curricular auditing, after all, admin. ain;t all that exciting and I was bored silly.

Having met the Quality Manager and embraced the training provided, the job went up as a permanent position, I went for it , got it and a four grand pay rise and went on from there.

MG's right, you don't go looking for Quality, it comes looking for you. You sort of just....end up there!

I don't even remember saying at school that I wanted to be in' Quality.'

Kimberly, have you tried looking in specialist publications? They often have vacancies and details of training courses. Failing that. they'll certainly keep you up to date with changes in the Quality field, which will help you shine at interview!

Lau.

I'm not sure if that line helps. In my case it was long before computers and kids still used things called slide rules. I still often way that, but it rarely has meaning. During an internal auditor class, a participant asked when that was, when I responded the mid 70's, she replied that her parents were not even born yet! I don't think that was mathematically possible, but the logic is pretty close.

As far as how to get into the field, my first question is why? We are often over worked, under paid and way under appreciated. The boss ignores our recommendation and when the world ends because we were ignored, the boss blames us! We are in it because we are crazy enough to like this stuff. We are in it because we care. We are in it because we are stupid enough to think we just might be able to make a difference…and sometimes we do!

db said:

As far as how to get into the field, my first question is why? We are often over worked, under paid and way under appreciated. The boss ignores our recommendation and when the world ends because we were ignored, the boss blames us! We are in it because we are crazy enough to like this stuff. We are in it because we care. We are in it because we are stupid enough to think we just might be able to make a difference…and sometimes we do!

I was having a nice supper with a graduate from Yale and another from Cornell. They were having a great time reminiscing about the good ole college days and asked me where I went to school. I told them "Margaret Croft". They looked quizzedly at each other and asked where's is it located? I told them in Connecticut. The conversation ended there. Actually, it was my High School. They were buying dinner in an elegant upscale restaurant for some knucklehead without a degree. Why? I was the Customer Representative with the authority to bless their $250K piece of equipment. I wish I had some College stories, but all I had were Navy stories. They didn't have any Serviceman stories. So we were even.:vfunny:

I was never sorry about being chosen by a job recruiter who started me off in Quality Control right after my four years of active duty. I had found a home, just like the one you describe above.

But, there have been several occasions where I felt a little out of place when the Frats started patting each other on the back with the obvious "me too" credentials. My one advantage in these settings was, the respected position of "Prime Contractor". It was a blast and helped me to understand how important, and sometimes vital, that sheepskin is to some people. Where you end up has a lot to do with luck, as well as a "document" of your education.

energy said:

It was a blast and helped me to understand how important, and sometimes vital, that sheepskin is to some people. Where you end up has a lot to do with luck, as well as a "document" of your education.

____________________
That sheepskin is sometimes analogous to an ISO9000 certificate, huh Energy? Having one doesn't necessarily mean you're any better than someone who doesn't have one, despite what those who hand 'em out want you to believe.

Mike S.;)

energy said:



1. Inspector
2. Chief Inspector
3. Quality Control Supervisor
4. Quality Control Manager
5. Management Representative
6. Quality Assurance Manager (And none of you smart ---es ask me the difference):vfunny:

Ancillary Duties: Safety Committee Member, Plant Safety Officer, Safety Manager, Environmental Compliance Manager ( don't laugh, Randy-it pays the bills)

Wherever you start, demonstrate an eagerness to participate in any group. Volunteer to take on more responsibilities. After awhile, they look to you because you will get it done. Good Luck

I forgot this: I am also a non-degreed professional:p

:ko: :smokin:


Kimberly,

I followed the same path as energy. Working my way up the food chain gave insight to what "degreed" people may not understand. How things really work in the trenches.

CarolX