What have I forgotten?

[Trublshter]

I've been doing HVAC since I was out of high school until this past september when my back and knees finally said enough. I spent the last 2 years preparing to do control work by attending various building automation control seminars and courses in theory and actual hands on lab. I tryed to pick up on everything ddc. It's obvious after a couple interviews I missed maybe programming courses even though was told it's not really important. I'm looking from ideas from seasoned control techs how they got their start. I mean I'm still in decent physical shape to climb and lift reasonable obstacles and weight. During interviews I don't convey false truths. I clearly demonstrate a sincere desire to utilize my electrical and mechanical background. I study up the company I'm interviewing with so I don't appear to be ignorant of their product or service. Thanks for any input fellas.

[pcmedit]

Trublshter,
If your joints can last a bit longer I'd suggest getting in with the big guys for service - Trane, JCI, Carrier, etc. let them know your intent to become a controls tech, you'll probably get sent out to help on that side from time to time. Eventually something WILL open up for you. You might want to try and get some C+ programming, will make it easier to catch on when your working with company specific programming. Best of luck!

[Trublshter]

Thanks pc. I may have to do that. If I really had to I could get back in the fight sort of speak. I had primarily applied only at control companies. That sounds like a good idea and thanks again for the tip on programming. It's hell when you get old. LOL

[matt8085]

I work for a controls company. I don't find the work to be much different from mechanical service. I'm still twisted like a pretzel above a drop ceiling over someone's desk with a flashlight in my teeth. Still lugging tools up to the roof. Still have to break out the 3-foot pipe wrenches to replace larger valves in 120 degree boiler rooms. If you want to be a DDC service tech, I think you're going to find the work can be just as phsyically demanding. Or maybe it's just like that where I work. Now being a programmer is different. Most of those guys have desk jobs, and where I work, a majority of them hold mechanical engineering and/or networking and computer related degrees.

[Trublshter]

Hey Matt. I don't doubt that I would be expected to do some physical requirements like the ones you just listed. I know it would depend largely on the company. When I escaped the company I worked at by telling them I'm retiring from the hvac field it gave me what I needed time wise to rebuild my back and knees thanks mainly to a great chiropractor and health club workouts. So I've been sort of busy with a new puppy in the meantime.