Hi, I am very new to the quality world and I am trying to create a career plan. I will tell you a little about myself in hopes that someone can help me by providing some valuable information.
1. I have an Associate’s degree in Industrial Technology
2. I am currently employed as a Nondestructive Testing Inspector
Now I was told about ASQ when I was on an inspection job and I have been researching the COI and CQT being that I am already in the inspection industry but the problem is that in order to grow I will have to leave the company that I am at now they are a great starter company but do [due] to the size of the company there aren’t many opportunities to move up.
So my question is would it be good to get my years of experience and then certifications or seek an entry level inspector position and a company with more growth potential[?]
ANY INFORMATION TO HELP IN BETTERING A CAREER IN QUALITY IS MORE THAN WELCOME
My cert plan is CQI-CQT-CCT-CQE
THANKS FOR ANY HELP
OK. I've highlighted a few of your comments as aids to discussion.
1. I have an Associate’s degree in Industrial Technology
2. I am currently employed as a Nondestructive Testing Inspector
Now I was told about ASQ when I was on an inspection job
I presume from this phrasing that you [and your company] act as second- or third-party inspectors on a contract basis for either suppliers or customers [or both] and that casual conversation at one of these jobs produced the ASQ conversation. If so, that's good. In the overall scheme of things having to do with contract inspection, the credibility of an ASQ certification is good for
both the individual inspector and the company for which he works. If your situation is as I presume, this information may induce your employer to pay in full or part for your membership in ASQ and training and exams to achieve certification.
the company that I am at now they are a great starter company but do [due] to the size of the company there aren’t many opportunities to move up.
So my question is would it be good to get my years of experience and then certifications or seek an entry level inspector position and a company with more growth potential[?]
Depending on the owner/manager plans for this startup company, your best opportunity may be to grow WITH the company, making yourself and your gradually increasing skills and certifications of value to the company. Much depends on the niche this startup is planning to fill and its plans for growth (combined with a realistic evaluation of the probability of those plans being achieved, given geographic territory, range of potential clients (suppliers or customers) and the amount of work those clients can or are willing to provide.)
For years here in the Cove, I have championed the idea ALL employees and managers should follow Deming's System of Profound Knowledge (SoPK.) In a simple sentence, SoPK provides value to the individual and to his organization, wherein the values become synergistic for both, the whole value for each being greater than the sum of its parts. For you to make a valid determination of where your best opportunity for personal success lies, you really ought to engage in SoPK, learning as much as possible about the universe of work, clients, managers, regulators, and competitors which affect your organization, while getting to know yourself as well. A tool you might look into for both is described in this thread:
Skills Assessment Matrix
If, after deep introspection and use of your own Skills Matrix, you think you need to move on, I urge you to look through these threads first:
Candidates:
Thinking about a New Job for New Year?
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours?
The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references
Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting
Consulting – Is it in YOUR Career Future?
Contracting/Temping - Viable Alternates in Tough Times
