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New Instructor

Being a instructor is something I never thought I'd become. Being a Machinist for over 25 years is what thought I was going to do for the rest of my career.

Becoming an Instructor is something my wife suggested, but I didn't think I could do. I was never comfortable in front of large group of people, and I know I have the experience and knowledge, but I didn't feel I had the confidence of how to convey the information needed to becoming a machinist. My wife purely went off the fact that I enjoyed training new people, oddly enough people that have graduated from this school.

So behind my back my wife emailed my resume to a machinist training center, next thing I know I get a phone call for an interview, then become a substitute instructor, next a full blown instructor all in a matter of a few months.

I feel fortunate to have this opportunity, and truly enjoy my new found career. Being able to give a "real world" experience to my students I feel will give them the tools for success in the machinist world.

This is great, I am glad that you are enjoying this new job. It comes with great responsibility and the fact that you enjoy it is a plus. It is a good thing when people wake up and enjoy going to work, it sounds like you have passion for it. You are to be commended for getting past your fear of standing in front of any group. Hats off to you, make us proud.

Greetings Duane,

I found myself in a position similar to yours. Just thought I'd add something you probably already know.

I spent several years trying to use my skills as a watchmaker to execute my new role as an instructor. I spent way more energy than necessary because I was slow to realize that instructing is a profession separate from watchmaking and requires development of a different set of skills. It takes years of practice to develop skills so I found for me that the five year mark was the watershed period of time I needed to become adequate at instructiing.

Wow, we have to maintain two professions.

Stan

Hello to all

It's been a while since I last posted. I have been instructing for over a year now, have earned my CHEP cert. and still very much enjoy my new carrier.

My experience as a Machinist, has been invaluable, it has provided for me and my family, and I’ve been fortunate to have made components that have entertained, defended our country, and have advanced planetary exploration…in a small way.

Stan, you’re absolutely correct, there is quite a difference between being a machinist and being an instructor. As a machinist I used a tactile method of learning and showing others the processes involved with an operation. Instructing I had to learn how to verbally communicate what needs to be done for the operation. If a student didn’t grasp the concept, then I’d step in and show him/her the processes required.

I’ve also learned that most students come in to our school with little or no idea what a machinist is or what they do, but on occasion there is a few that have enrolled to advance their carriers. I’ve brought in my personal experiences and have physical examples of what can be done, and what to watch for…extra information beyond the syllabus. Hopefully by the end of my 6 weeks with them, they’ve learned basics of machining.

I also have to say that, I’m also learning just as much as the students….on a completely different subject, but every class that comes through, my presentation becomes smoother, I can tailor the delivery to a specific class depending on how the students react to the content. Use humorous stories from my past experience that are relevant to the subject, and the students seem to retain the information better if it’s a personal experience.

I’m fortunate to work with a very talented group of people that not only want the students to succeed, but also other instructors, I’ve never worked in such a supportive work environment.  

And the most important….students will pick up on whether your being something you’re not real quick.  No matter whom you pretend to be you’ll be judged anyway, so just be yourself.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, they have been very helpfull.

Duane F.

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