career path?

rjm

Hey guys thanks for your input. Just one more question.
Have you heard of or know any one who has attended "steam engineering institute"?
http://www.steamsei.com/

rjm

Ok, heres the deal. I am an oil burner tech, 3yrs exp. in MA. I have a few years laboring for a local plumber, and year or more of mechanical exp. I know the ins and outs of hydronic boilers, and have become fairly good with steam systems. I was thinking I might be ready for a career change. I have been interested becoming a boiler tech/ fireman. I am planning to start classes in early 2007.
My question to you is this small field easy to break into, or am I just kidding myself?

Brad White_151

Why

do you say you are kidding yourself? You sound young with the experience you cited, maybe not even 30?

Why not follow your bliss? You have knowledge of hydronics and steam, a terrific combination. The folks at Peterson School (I am guessing that is where you might be going?) should let you know if there are labor limitations (union rules, seniority issues, what have you), but don't let that deter you.

laurence salvatore_2

Am I to understand that you want to sit in a chair smoking a pipe like Mike Mulligan and mind one single large boiler?

Brad White_151

Oh, that is good, Mr. Salvatore...

Good point. Stationary Engineering is not for the highly entertained.

rjm

Brad you are right I am only 28 yrs old and correct about Petersons.
As for being a stationary engineer, I more interested in the licence itself. Having the ability and the knowhow to work on just about any boiler out there.

Brad White_151

Damn, I am good... but

I will not guess your weight, OK?



A Fireman's License is a coup in itself. Not for a minute did I think you would be sitting watching a pressure gauge. Collect skills and do many things! Hard to beat that combination.

Brad White_151

Never heard of them and nothing against them but

I learned a lot more right here at Deadman U.

marc friedman

well, a liscense doesn't Qualify you to work on any burner

experience does

Weezbo

Just for you.

a gift i found...when researching the Nobel Peace Prize winner 2006.

Hospitals usually have an opening....and as Perry said, the Nuclear power plants are being designed for the future today....someone in Canada sent an e-mail for a class of six...i could forward it ,if you would like..

Large Incinerators might occasionally have an opening,... with recycling being the deal these days....

clammy

stanionary eng

Marley as long as you don't get bored and upset with union rules stationary eng is a field that you can go as far as your brain will allow you from firemans lic to gold seal ref there's alot to know and learn from chiller to towers to pneumatic controls the mind boggles how do i know thats what my dad did for 45 years and i was exposed to it all but being at the same place was not my bag and i needed a job that was alittle more challenging and put me some place different every couple of days or hours but thats me depending on where you work it can be challenging peace and good luck clammy

Perry_2

Large Industrial Boilers & Power Plants

May use stationary engineers (different states either require the certification - or exempt from certification power plant operators); and it can be exciting or dull as you want it to be (but you might need to shop arround and be willing to move).

Pay and benifits are typically above average for an area. Expect to work swing shifts (rotating shifts) for a while - if not forever if you stay in operations.

Plant troubleshooting, technical monitoring, and maintenance tend to be more interesting to me than being an operator (and I have been an operator - before I got my engineering degree). These positions typically do not work swing shifts.

On the other hand - if you are into BIG boilers - this is where they exist.

Nuclear power plants also need good people - and pay very well. I do note that you have to pass a security clearance and fitness for duty process. A lot of people have no problems passing (and minor things on your record are not an issue in many cases). The nuclear industry is short of people and looking for thousands more in the next couple of years - which will only get worse when they start building the next plant in a few years (which translates into pay raises all arround).

Perry

Josh_10

Marley, in my area this is not a difficult feild to break into. The hospitols and school districts have pretty high turn over rates.

However as far as money goes it typically doesn't pay well. An oil burner tech can make twice as much money in our area! I would highly recommend getting experience on mills and power plants because that is the only way you are going to make any money.

Josh_10

Marc you are so right!! A firemans license is for operating! The operators call the reps for actual problems.