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How do you tell people what you do?

cheesiechanman
When people ask me what I do for a job I always say I am a CMM programmer. This always leads to confused looks. So I usually follow up with "I measure stuff." If they have further questions I hit em with "essentially I perform complex measurements using the science of manufacturing (GD&T) by programming a machine to measure parts." After that there are no more questions.

What is your go to description of what you do?
  • I run inspection for a precision machine shop. That usually leaves no questions.
  • I just say quality inspector for aerospace parts.


    If someone is curious beyond that then I will explain. I feel like most people don't really care what someone does, they just try to make small talk.
    Also I am a very prideful person (which I work on constantly) so by not giving an elaborate explanation I don't feed my pride.
  • I usually say, "I do programming for automated measurement equipment."

    Which is honestly a slight portion of what I actually do because I am split between programming and a Quality Engineer working with PPAP documentation and new product launches, MSA, Cap Studies, etc etc.

    They typically say, "Oh, cool!" and that is that.
  • "I'm an Engineer. My company makes gears for aircraft engines".

    If I say anything beyond that most people get that glazed-over completely absent look in their eyes
  • While I was employed.

    ”I am underpaid, underappreciated, seen as less than human by salaried personnel. I provide information for people that have no reason to be in positions of decision making. I am needed as long as they get info that backs up their decisions, if the info proves them wrong I often am thrown under the bus. I was the last to get training. Hurry up on Friday PPAP that was ready to bring to me 3 weeks previously, but they have vacation scheduled and don’t want to be bothered with any last minute surprises.”

    Rant over.
  • We do aluminum extrusions, this always seemed more complicated to explain than the CMM. I went with the explanation of the playdoh press you had as kid that squirted out the different shapes..... we do that with aluminum..... and then I measure them with a computer. Unless the person your talking to is in manufacturing, its just not worth the trouble.....
  • I check and verify parts for military armored vehicles. So, for my non military friends, I tell them I check parts for the military and if I tell them any more I will have to kill them... and no there are no aliens. For my military friends, I tell them I make sure the their tanks don't fall apart.... and I want to hang out with the aliens.

    So far it has worked... except I still haven't met those aliens the military is supposedly hiding.Alien
  • in reply to dph51
    This sounds like my experience with automotive. Hated every day. Now I am very fortunate to be salary, My boss backs me 100%, Engineers praise the ground I measure on(last programmer programmed manually and didn't understand how CAD works), and I work hand in hand with the PPAP coordinator here at my new job (while training under her to take her position when she retires). So to say I upgraded is an understatement.
  • in reply to KronkGitBasher
    To be fair they aren't hiding them anymore. They openly acknowledge them. Just haven't introduced us yet.
  • I normally just say that I program automated industrial measuring machines. Sometimes I'll throw in there that it is for the aerospace and defense industry. Normally, these days, the follow-up questions are not about what I do, but how is work for me in pandemic times. I can normally follow up with saying that we are always very busy and that the plant was open all throughout the pandemic. I'll say jokingly that there is still plenty of demand for flying war machines. One way or another the conversation tends to go another direction from there or I get an opening to ask questions about them.

    More and more I have learned not to use the term "CMM". It just confuses people.
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