In-Demand Career Spotlight
Jason Setzer, 3M Decatur Jason Setzer, who attended UAH and received his BS in Electrical Engineering, attributes part of his job success to an opportunity to co-op during college. He said working in the field while in college helped him see that his education wasn’t equipping him to solve theoretical equations all day, but to be a practical problem solver. “Practical problem solving is fun,” he said. “You have to work hard at it in college, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in college, too. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and set your mind to getting it done.” In his role as an engineer at 3M in Decatur, he is responsible for engineering systems and control work in the maintenance area. “I do a lot of trouble shooting, investigating trouble issues and coming up with a solution whether it be a software, hardware or training solution.” Jason said. He also spends time programming, designing panels and training people. Jason sought out the field of electrical engineering after his dad gave him the advice that the field was “hot”, and since he excelled in math and science, the field was a natural area of interest for him. “What I do is never boring. I get to do a lot of different things and work with great people,” he says. “I also get to spend time on project work that has a long term focus, which is nice.” Jason also said that the wages in the field are appealing. “My wife has been able to stay at home with our three kids at least until they get into school. There are not a lot of careers you can do this with now, which is an important bonus for us.” Controls and automation engineering, focused in an electrical engineering background, has been and is going to “take off exponentially” Jason says. “It is the backbone of any modern manufacturing and we will always need electricians and electrical engineers.” “You can go anywhere in the world and do this type of work. You can be a contractor, or you can be full-time with a company. Career wise, it is a very mobile field with lots of different opportunities,” says Jason. Click here to learn more about a career as an electrical engineer. Included is a career video, wage information, and growth trends. Interested in learning more about in-demand careers in Morgan County? Visit www.careerpathway.info and like “Career Pathway” on Facebook.